Lisa Kroulik

Online Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science https://www.forensicscolleges.com/online/bachelors-in-forensic-science If you judged by television shows alone, forensic science is a glamorous career where the main character studies a few blood splatters and figures out who committed the crime in less than an hour. The reality, of course, is much more complex. Forensic scientists study the evidence a criminal left at the crime scene, such as a spent shell casing from firing a gun, fingerprints on a bank teller’s counter, or a forged signature on a check. It often requires weeks or months of research to determine guilt in a criminal case. While police detectives use such evidence in their investigation, it’s the job of the forensic scientist to analyze each pieces of evidence presented to them and explain it in court. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the term forensic means to study something as it pertains to the law. Forensic scientists apply scientific principles to legal evidence to determine responsibility for a crime. The BLS states that forensic scientists typically work in one or more of these specialty areas: Biology: Forensic scientists analyze hair and bodily fluids to determine a typing factor, which includes analysis of DNA. This tells them how often the suspected criminal’s exact genetic code appears in the general population. The next step is to compare the samples in question to others listed in a police database. Chemistry: A forensic scientist specializing in chemistry analyzes trace physical evidence such as glass, paint, soil, and blood splatters. Controlled substances and toxicology: This includes the examination of blood, urine, and other bodily fluids to check for the presence of alcohol, drugs, or poison. Document examination: This involves the analysis of handwriting, document dating, potential forgery, computer printing, photocopying, and typewriting. Fingerprinting: A person’s fingerprint develops underneath the skin and never changes, even if he or she sustains burns or scars. This makes fingerprinting a highly accurate tool in criminal justice. Forensic scientists develop a suspect’s fingerprints and look for a match in the police database. Firearms identification: These forensic scientists match the identifying characteristics of a firearm and its projectile along with the projectile and its target. This process allows them to match a bullet to a specific type of gun and its manufacturer. Polygraph exam administration: A polygraph machine can sometimes determine if a person accused of a crime is lying by measuring his or her blood pressure, breathing, and pulse rate in response to questions asked by the forensic scientist. If you’re interested in this career, it’s likely that you’re highly analytical, accurate, and a good communicator. These traits will help you as you pursue your bachelor degree in forensic science in a criminal justice program. According to the BLS, a bachelor degree is the entry-level requirement for this exciting career. Professors to Know in Online Bachelor’s in Forensic Science Programs David Long, JD, CAMS, CFE, Brandman University Experienced attorney and criminal investigator David Long is on staff at Brandman University as the associate professor of legal studies and criminal justice. He is currently the principal of two fraud prevention and anti-money laundering agencies in California where he focuses his efforts on teaching participants compliance and prevention issues in an environment of emerging technology and virtual currency. Prior to his current roles, Professor David Long served with the Office of Labor Racketeering as a Special Agent. He handled many complex issues, including RICO violations, bribery, extortion, public corruption, witness tampering, and money laundering. He earned the honor of Special Agent of Distinction and received many awards from the federal government for meritorious service. Professor Daniel Rinehart, American InterContinental University Professor Daniel Rinehart brings his 30 years of legal and forensics experience to his role of Chair and Professor of Criminal Justice at American InterContinental University. He has held this position since July 2011. Prior to coming on staff, he worked as a deputy and law enforcement officer for Harris County in Houston, Texas for 29 years. Other positions held by Professor Rinehart before he started working in education include Document and Training Specialist at Kenyon International Emergency Services and Deputy/Crime Scene Investigator for the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. Daniel Rinehart holds a bachelor and master degree from Sam Houston State University in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration as well as a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Northcentral University. Michael Tu, PhD, Excelsior College Dr. Michael Tu helps to develop and teach curriculum related to cyber security at Excelsior College. He is also an assistant professor at Purdue University Calumet in Computer Information Technology and Graphics. In addition to teaching courses on cyber security and digital forensics, Dr. Tu has had his work published more than 30 times in peer-review journals. He currently participates in several active research projects sponsored by major organizations in the field of forensic science. Michael Tu received his doctorate in 2006 from the University of Texas at Dallas. He has obtained many certifications since that time in digital forensics and information security. Dr. Tu is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and InfraGard. Featured Online Bachelor’s in Forensic Science Programs Finding the right online forensic science degree program takes time and research. You need to consider many factors, including courses and specialties offered, experience of the professors, tuition, who you cohorts will be, and time needed to complete your studies. Below, we feature seven criminal justice and/or forensic science degree programs for you to consider. Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, American InterContinental University The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at this school allows you to choose a specialty focus of forensic science that combines crime scene investigation, law enforcement practice, and science to prepare you for the many aspects of this career. The program teaches specialized skills such as death scene investigation, determining the manner of death, establishing identity of the deceased, notifying next of kin, and working with crime scene photography. Graduating from the program requires completion of 180 credits. Location: Schaumburg, Illinois Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Expected Time to Completion: Four years full-time with part-time options available Estimated Tuition: $58,000 annually, which includes all software and course material Example courses: Aspects of Forensic Psychology, Forensic Biology, Psychopathology and Criminality, Ethics in Criminal Justice, and Environmental Science Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Brandman University This bachelor degree program is available to students who want to explore a career in forensic science as well as homeland security, victim advocacy, corrections, or a criminal justice generalist. Brandman University requires students to transfer a minimum of 12 credits at the baccalaureate level and provides more flexible transfer credit arrangements for members of the military. It offers both online and hybrid programs. Location: Irvine, California Accreditation: WSCUC Senior College and University Commission Expected Time to Completion: Four years full-time with part-time options available Estimated Tuition: $500 per semester credit Example courses: Forensics Documentation, Crime Scene Investigation, and Applied Criminology Bachelor of Science in Criminal Forensics, Colorado State University Colorado State University offers a Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement degree with the option to specialize in criminal forensics. The specialty track, with the five courses listed below, make up 15 semester hours of study. You can transfer up to 90 credits to this college and degree program. Members of the military and corporate affiliates may be eligible for a tuition discount. The college advises a full-time load of 24 units per semester. Location: Greenwood Village, Colorado Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Expected Time to Completion: Four years full-time with part-time options available Estimated Tuition: $350 per semester credit Example courses: Introduction to Forensic Psychology, Criminal Investigation, Investigative and Forensic Interviewing, Investigative Forensic Photography, and Physical Methods in Forensic Science Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with Investigative Forensics Concentration, Excelsior College This criminal justice degree at Excelsior College is appropriate for students breaking into the career as well as those hoping for a promotion. The program is available completely online. Besides completing core curriculum in criminal justice, this program enables you to concentrate on computer forensic courses, forensic pathology, and forensic psychology. Excelsior College offers academic credit to students with certain police academy training, military experience, or professional accomplishments. Earning your degree requires the successful completion of 120 credits. Location: Albany, New York Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education Expected Time to Completion: Four years full-time with part-time options available Estimated Tuition: $510 per credit hour Example courses: Legal and Ethical Issues in Forensics, Procedures and Practice, and Digital Forensics Forensics Investigation Minor as Part of Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Indiana State University Offered as part of the larger criminal justice degree program, the forensics investigation minor includes 18 credit hours of study that expands your knowledge of criminal justice investigation as well as your critical thinking skills. Students must have at least a 2.2 grade point average in other criminal justice courses to enroll for the minor. Location: Terre Haute, Indiana Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Expected Time to Completion: Approximately one year for the minor portion and four years for the bachelor degree Estimated Tuition: $510 per credit hour Example courses: Criminal Investigation, Criminal Law and Procedure, Criminal Justice Interviewing, Criminalistics, and Law of Evidence Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, National Louis University National Louis University offers a criminal justice degree program that allows students to choose a major of Criminal Justice Administration or Forensic Social Justice. Professors teaching the courses have backgrounds in corrections, courts, law enforcement, and the security industry. One of the greatest benefits of this program is that it digs into the root causes behind criminal behavior and the role it plays in society. National Louis University offers this program completely online and has authorization as a degree-granting institution in Florida, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Location: Chicago, Illinois Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Expected Time to Completion: Four years full-time with part-time options available Estimated Tuition: $6,000 per term for 14-18 credits, $430 per credit hour for under 14 credits Example courses: Methods in Criminal Investigation and Analysis, Policy Trends, Role of the Correction System, Sociology, and Psychology Investigative Forensics Bachelor Degree, University of Maryland University College During your core forensics courses at the University of Maryland University College, you will learn how to detect, collect, process, and report evidence as well as the analysis of evidence and criminal procedures. Additionally, you will learn how about the limitations and abilities of the crime lab along with how to write reports specific to the industry of criminal justice. With the university’s hands-on learning tools, you will have everything you need to investigate a crime scene completely online. The bachelor degree program requires completion of 120 credit hours and accepts up to 90 credits in transfer. After earning your degree, you will be eligible to take the Bloodstain Pattern Analyst, Crime Scene, or Latent Print certification exams. Location: Largo, Maryland Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education Expected Time to Completion: Four years full-time with part-time options available Estimated Tuition: $289 per credit in state, $499 per credit out of state, and $250 per credit for active or retired military Example courses: Introduction to Investigative Forensics, Introduction to Statistics, Criminal Procedures and Evidence, and Cyber Crime and Security Admissions to Online Bachelor’s in Forensic Science Programs Some students have the mistaken belief that it is easier to gain admission to an online degree program than one attended at a brick and mortar school. This is simply not true. Both online and traditional programs limit the number of students to ensure a high-quality education for those accepted. Additionally, you should expect the same level of reading and other assignments as well as group assignments with other online attendees. While every school offering a forensic science degree program has slightly different admission requirements, many are similar. These include: Completion of a high school diploma or GED program A transcript from any previous colleges attended, whether you intend to transfer credits or not A minimum grade point average in high school or previous college coursework, which is typically at least 2.0 An admission interview for highly competitive programs, which would likely take place via Skype for online students A Curriculum Vitae (CV) or professional resume Scores from your SAT or ACT if this is your first higher education experience or college-level assessments or certifications if you have previous higher learning experience Due to the potential variation between schools, it’s important to check the admission requirements for each one before you start the process of enrollment. Accreditation and State Authorization When a college has earned accreditation, it means that a neutral third party has evaluated its programs, authority, competency, and credibility and determined that the school met or exceeded its standards. This process is voluntary, and students can assume schools that have earned accreditation from one or more agencies offers excellent educational value for their money. A college or university can earn regional or national accreditation as well as accreditation for its individual programs. When evaluating the accreditation of a school you’re considering attending, make sure that the accrediting agency itself has received approval from the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Some of the most well-known accrediting agencies include: Commission on Colleges for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission Middle States Commission on Higher Education Western Association of Schools and Colleges WSCUC Senior College and University Commission Understanding State Authorization The state authorization status of a school determines whether a student can enroll in that college or university based on his or her physical location. This rule has been in place for several decades to protect prospective students. Every state sets standards the institute of higher learning must meet before it can enroll people living in that state. Some colleges are open to enrollment from students of any state while others can accept only those living in a few certain states. This topic can cause a lot of confusion, especially when dealing with online education. One reason for this is that the concept of state authorization came about before the Internet even existed. If you have additional concerns about this matter, you should check with NC-SARA, which stands for the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. The organization makes a list of available states and institutions that it aligns with available to the public.