If you are interested in a career in forensic science, you will need to earn a degree from one of the accredited forensic science colleges. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) or Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) accredits schools that offer bachelor’s or master’s degrees which are preferantial to simply getting your associate’s degree. The Bachelors degree programs usually take at five years to complete.

When browsing through forensic science schools that are recognized by FEPAC, there are a variety of programs for you to sift through. Each course has a different concentration designed for a different position in the field. Supervisor roles require more than a bachelor’s degree, but it is perfect for lab duties. The Masters program at SUNY Albany is focused on preparing people to work in DNA labs, while the forensic science degree at Cedar Crest College is more focused on crime scene investigation.

A high school student can already start preparing for future pursuit of a forensic science degree by taking numerous science classes and improving his speaking skills by doing something like debate club. Biology and chemistry degrees are also appropriate if you cannot take a forensic science bachelor’s degree.

Immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, physics, genetics, biostatistics and calculus courses are prerequisites if you want to pursue a master’s degree in forensic science at an accredited school. Having been successful in the GRE test and already having earned a bachelor’s degree are 2 other conditions. Work experience in forensics is helpful. Without forensics field experience, master’s students are obligated to take Crime Scene Reconstruction and Pattern Analysis, Trace Evidence and Microscopy, and Forensic Molecular Biology and Population Statistics at Cedar Crest College.

You will want to practice your skills as a forensic technician in a lab, so check to see that there is one connected to the school you want to attend. Most accredited forensic science colleges also include a research or internship component which will be helpful to you in gaining experience while you work toward your forensic science degree.

You can’t have gotten into any legal trouble if you want to enroll in a forensic science college. Because of what this job is all about, any history of drugs or crime might put you out of the running. Taking your fingerprints, running a background check, giving you a lie detector test and testing you for drugs are all things an employer might put you through before offering you a position.