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Forensics Colleges in New York (NY) – Degrees & Certificates
In popular culture and the collective imagination, few American states have gotten as much attention for their forensic science—real or imagined—as New York (NY). From Batman’s Gotham City to NYPD Blue and CSI: NY, the Empire State is renowned for its morbidly creative crimes and potential for investigating juicy mysteries.
Luckily for aspiring crime solvers in New York, there are several quality forensic science programs in the state, both on-campus and distance-based, and there is a healthy employment landscape for these trained professionals.
Students interested in this field should note that becoming a forensic science technician is just one of many career options for program graduates. Interested students may also be able to find degrees that take less time to complete, such as a certificate in CSI, or an associate degree in forensic science. An education in CSI typically prepares students for field work, while an education in the forensic sciences usually prepares them for work in a lab, or at the upper level, even the chance to be involved in research.
So what can aspiring forensic scientists in New York expect to learn through competitive degree and certificate programs in the state? According to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), these professionals master a variety of skills and role-related responsibilities such as performing scientific analysis on various types of evidence; processing and documenting evidence methodically; keeping abreast of methodological and technological developments in the field; providing expert testimony in court cases; and working closely with medical and legal personnel.
The AAFS states that forensic scientists typically have at least a bachelor’s degree and there is a range of specialized subfields of study, including arson, bite marks, fingerprints, firearms, DNA, child abuse, toxicology, death investigation, digital evidence, and more.
Read on below to discover how to become a forensic scientist in NY; what the job outlook is in the state; the availability of quality traditional or distance-based programs; and what prospective students should know about program accreditation and professional certifications.
How to Become a Forensic Scientist in New York State
For prospective forensic scientists and technicians in New York, there are a variety of educational and experiential paths, although these professionals typically pursue at least a four-year degree in natural sciences prior to employment. In fact, Career One Stop (2024)—a job-planning tool sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor—reports that 34 percent of forensic science technicians have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 13 percent with associate degrees and 19 percent with some college education.
Following is one of the most common paths to becoming a forensic scientist or technician in NY:
Step 1: Graduate from high school
Since these specialists often get degrees in physical or natural sciences, strong grades in physics, chemistry, biology, statistics, and mathematics may prepare them for postsecondary work.
Step 2: Pursue a bachelor’s degree (four years)
Many forensic scientists hold a four-year degree, typically a bachelor of science (BS), in a subject such as chemistry, biology, psychology, engineering, and even computer science. The right degree will depend on the person’s intended specialization.
Step 3: Apply for certification through a national organization (optional, timeline varies)
Although certification is not necessary for practice in all branches of forensic science, it can indicate a level of achievement or professional standards to employers, especially in fields that are more competitive. There are nine professional certification organizations accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB), including the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE), the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT), and a variety of other subfields. Please note that these specialties may involve advanced training, experiential requirements, or examinations prior to admission.
Step 4: Pursue an advanced degree in forensic science or a specialty discipline (optional, timeline varies)
Forensic scientists looking for deeper knowledge, increased responsibilities, and possibly higher pay typically require a more advanced degree. According to Career One Stop, 15 percent of forensic scientists hold graduate degrees (master’s or doctoral).
Occupational Demand for Forensics Professionals in New York
It’s no surprise that the metropolitan region around the Big Apple is one of the top-paying and top-employing regions for forensic science technicians in the state, especially among public law enforcement agencies and their affiliates. According to the New York Office of Forensic Services (OFS)—a sub-branch of the NY Division of Criminal Justice Services—there are over 20 accredited public forensic laboratories (e.g., NYC Police Department Police Laboratory, Monroe County Public Safety Laboratory, Onondaga County Center for Forensic Sciences). The OFS is tasked with the administrative oversight of the NY State DNA databank and upholding the standards of lab accreditation in each of its precincts.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) projected a 14 percent increase in openings for forensic science technicians around the country between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the average growth expected across all occupations during that period (4 percent).
The outlook is even brighter for residents of the Empire State. Projections Central (2024) found that demand for forensic science technicians in New York specifically is expected to grow 21.5 percent between 2022 and 2032.
The availability of openings is partly driven by advancements in technology and instrumentation. Therefore, pioneering techniques in chemistry, biology, and other sciences can continue to shape the employment landscape and help resolve the backlogs of cases in forensic labs, especially concerning DNA analyses.
Degrees in forensic sciences can be versatile and these graduates in New York may go into a variety of careers such as:
- Medical examiner
- Forensic engineer
- Crime scene examiner
- Crime laboratory analyst
- Physical anthropologist
- Document examiner
- Behavior scientist
- Criminal profiler
- Digital analyst
The education, training, and experiential requirements may vary for these professions. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) provides a career resource list with organizations, professional associations, and networking opportunities across various disciplines in forensic science.
Finally, the ForensicsColleges blog offers several in-depth career articles for graduates in forensic science in its How to Become series, with step-by-step instructions to becoming a profiler, crime scene technician, forensic psychologist, forensic accountant, detective, and more.
Forensics Salaries in New York
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Not only are forensic science technician occupations among the fastest growing in New York, but the state also has the 4th highest salary in this field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023) reported 590 forensic science technicians in the state.
The United States employs 17,520 forensic science technicians with an average annual salary (mean annual wage) of $71,540. In NY, the average salary in this field is $82,610.
In more detailed terms, here is a breakdown of the salary percentiles among all forensic science technicians in the country compared with New Yorkers (BLS May 2023):
| United States | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Forensic Science Technicians Employed | 17,520 | 590 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $71,540 | $82,610 |
| 10th percentile | $41,410 | $51,330 |
| 25th percentile | $50,480 | $65,460 |
| 50th percentile | $64,940 | $77,660 |
| 75th percentile | $84,720 | $97,340 |
| 90th percentile | $107,490 | $111,090 |
The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, PayScale (January 2024), which relies on self-reported salaries. Among the forensic science techs reporting their annual salaries, Payscale found these percentiles for the US:
- 10th percentile: $34,000
- 50th percentile (median): $57,322
- 90th percentile: $78,000
It is important to note that while the wages in New York are higher than national wages, so too is the cost of living. For illustration, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024) reported that NY is the 6th most expensive state in the country, particularly for housing. The Empire State comes in behind only Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, the District of Columbia, and Alaska. A high cost of living means that even higher than average salaries will not go as far as they would in other states, so prospective forensic science technicians should keep that in mind while evaluating the state’s salary data.
Not surprisingly, the wages for forensic science technicians tended to vary by region within the state of New York as well. The 350 forensic science technicians in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA earned the highest average salary of $85,920.
Featured Forensic Science Schools in New York
There is an abundance of forensic science colleges in New York State, including four programs accredited by the prestigious Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). This organization weighs factors such as faculty achievements, curriculum content, student outcomes, and the production of quality research. While graduating from one of these accredited programs is not required to join most forensic science careers, it can indicate a student’s merit to prospective employers due to FEPAC’s scrupulous evaluation standards.
The FEPAC-accredited programs in NY are:
Syracuse University offers a variety of graduate programs and certificates in forensic science, including its FEPAC-accredited master of science (MS) in forensic science. The school’s Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute (FNSSI) boasts a world-class faculty and ample opportunities for students to practice what they learn in real-world settings.
The MS program provides hands-on training through its partnerships with the New York State Police Crime Laboratory System, Brookhaven National Laboratory, LGS Bell Labs Innovations, and other facilities. This flexible program can be tailored to student career goals and schedules. Graduates have gone on to work at private research companies, forensics laboratories, and federal agencies, among other employing organizations.
This 36-credit program includes courses such as advanced forensic science; statistics for forensic science; research and career resources; quality assurance and ethics; forensic chemical analysis; and crime scene investigation, among others. The program offers several concentration options in biology; crime scene investigation; forensic anthropology; forensic chemistry; impressions evidence; jurisprudence; linguistics; medicolegal death investigation; national security; psychiatry & behavioral science; and toxicology.
Notably, Syracuse University offers several other forensics programs, including an MS in biomedical forensic science, an MS in medicolegal death investigation, an MS in digital forensics, a dual-degree JD/MS in forensic science, a certificate in firearm and tool mark examination, and a certificate in advanced medicolegal death investigation.
- Location: Syracuse, NY
- Accreditation: FEPAC; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Buffalo State SUNY offers a bachelor of science (BS) in forensic chemistry. Developed in 1971, this rigorous program combines didactic coursework with renowned faculty and hands-on internships working with experienced crime scene investigators. Graduates of Buffalo State have gone into several careers in local and state forensic science labs, as well as into graduate studies or professional schools in toxicology, food science, and pharmaceuticals, to name a few.
This 120- to 126-credit program includes courses such as forensic anthropology; forensic geoscience; forensic psychology; fundamentals of chemistry; organic chemistry; biochemistry; scientific criminal evidence analysis; chemistry and criminalistics; professional practices in forensic science; and general microbiology, among others.
Buffalo State SUNY also offers a master of science program in forensic science.
- Location: Buffalo, NY
- Accreditation: FEPAC; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
John Jay College of Criminal Justice in NYC provides many degrees for aspiring forensic science professionals, including its FEPAC-accredited master of science program (MS) in forensic science. This program is ideal for administrators, directors, and other leaders in crime-solving facilities. It boasts three distinct specializations: criminalistics, molecular biology, and forensic toxicology.
The MS in forensic science program consists of 41 to 43 credits including courses such as physical and biological evidence; principles of forensic toxicology; advanced criminalistics; advanced instrumental analysis; forensic DNA technology; advanced criminalistics; advanced genetics; forensic examination of firearms and toolmarks; and crime scene investigation for forensic scientists.
- Location: New York, NY
- Accreditation: FEPAC; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Alfred State – SUNY College of Technology
Alfred State, located in Alfred, NY, offers a FEPAC-accredited BS in forensic science technology. The BS program is highly focused on laboratory sciences, giving students the hands-on experience they need for the rigors of a real forensic lab. In addition to core science work, students at Alfred State are trained in the usage and theory of modern instrumental techniques that crime labs use nationwide.
Made up of 122 credits, the program includes courses such as chemical principles; general biology; topics in forensic science; organic chemistry; statistical methods & analysis; introduction to criminal justice; biochemistry; principles of microbiology; genetics; instrumental analysis; law & criminal evidence; microscopy and criminalistics; biotechniques; and forensic chemistry.
- Location: Alfred, NY
- Accreditation: FEPAC; Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
Other featured options for forensic science degrees in New York include:
Hudson Valley Community College
Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) in Troy has several programs that may appeal to entry-level aspiring forensic scientists, including an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in criminal justice, an associate of science (AS) in forensic science, and an AS in criminal justice.
The school’s 62-credit forensic science program, in particular, has sent many graduates to work with the NY State Police Forensics Investigation Center. With coursework in organic chemistry; cell biology; forensic science; criminology; genetics; biochemistry; and criminal justice, this program transfers seamlessly to the FEPAC-accredited John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
- Location: Troy, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Pace University in the Big Apple offers both bachelor’s and master’s of science degrees in forensic science. With the support of the chemistry and biology departments, these programs have access to an innovative DNA sequencing lab and specialized equipment for crime scene construction, document analysis, and forensic microscopy. In combination with the state-of-the-art facilities, Pace employs a number of real forensics experts as faculty who cut their teeth on crime-solving in NYC.
The 120-credit BS program includes courses such as genetics; introduction to toxicology; mathematical methods for physical chemistry; organic chemistry; biochemistry; forensic microscopy; crime scene processing; basic criminalistics; forensic biology; and introductory statistics for the life sciences.
The master of science program comprises 40 credits and includes courses such as professional issues in forensic science; forensic separations chemistry; analytical spectroscopy; crime scene investigation and reconstruction; forensic anthropology; and principles of forensic pharmacology.
- Location: Pleasantville, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 48 months
Hofstra University offers a bachelor of science program in forensic science providing students with a solid foundation in natural and physical sciences acquainting them with several relevant aspects of the legal system.
The program comprises 124 credits and includes courses such as foundations of biochemistry; biostatistics; foundations of analytical chemistry; forensic microscopy; methods in trace analysis; crime scene investigation methods; survey in forensic science; quality assurance in forensic science; forensic expert witness testimony; and forensic biotechnology. The program also includes an internship.
Graduates will be able to pursue careers such as forensic science technicians, crime scene investigators, and evidence collection specialists. This program also prepares them for dental school, medical school, and graduate studies in forensic science, and chemistry.
- Location: Hempstead, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
Hilbert offers three different degree programs in forensic science: a bachelor of science in forensic science with a laboratory sciences track, a bachelor of science in forensic science with a crime scene investigation track, and a combined 4+1 BS/MS program that lets students earn a bachelor’s degree in forensic science with a crime scene investigation track and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration in five years.
The programs involve more than 400 classroom hours of hands-on forensic training and are taught by expert faculty members who have real-life experience in the field of crime scene investigations. The programs also include internships with law enforcement agencies and investigators. Additionally, Hilbert College also has dedicated forensic labs and mock crime scene rooms.
The curriculum includes courses such as crime and society; computer crime; introduction to criminal justice; introduction to forensic science; photography and imagery; fingerprint evidence; criminal investigations; bloodstain pattern analysis; ethics in the criminal justice system; and forensic biology.
- Location: Hamburg, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 to 60 months
SUNY – Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale State College offers a 122- to 123-credit bachelor of science program in criminal justice: law enforcement technology, a 123- to 124-credit bachelor of science program in criminal justice: police, courts, and corrections, and a 64- to 65-credit associate in science degree in criminal justice: law enforcement.
The bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a focus on law enforcement technology prepares students for careers in law enforcement on the state, federal, and local levels. The curriculum includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; computer forensics; criminal investigation; criminalistics; criminology; criminal law; and forensic technology, among others.
- Location: Farmingdale, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 48 months
Herkimer College has associate degree programs in crime & intelligence analysis; criminal justice; cybersecurity & digital forensics; and forensic investigations.
The associate of science degree in forensic investigations helps students develop occupational competence for entry into private investigative fields or public law enforcement. Made up of 64 to 65 credits, the program includes courses such as forensic photography; issues in law enforcement; forensic science; criminal investigation; criminology; criminal procedure law; and an introduction to criminal justice.
- Location: Herkimer, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
LIU Post offers a bachelor of science program in forensic science preparing graduates for rewarding careers in the lab, from medical examiners’ offices, toxicology, and pathology to police departments. Integrating lecture courses with hands-on field experiences and laboratory work, the program includes a broad range of forensic applications such as criminalistics, molecular pathology, forensic anthropology, and human genetics.
This 120-credit program includes courses such as forensic anthropology; forensic instrumentation; criminal procedure; introduction to criminalistics; toxicology; forensic molecular technology; and a forensic internship.
Notably, LIU Post also offers a bachelor of arts degree program in criminal justice and a master of science in criminal justice.
- Location: Greenvale, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
SUNY-Erie offers an associate of science degree in criminal justice, an associate of applied science program in criminal justice/law enforcement, and a crime scene technology certificate program.
The certificate in crime scene technology provides training and education in crime scene technology focusing on crime scene photography, the processing of fingerprints, and the collection of evidence. It prepares graduates to properly compare fingerprints and prepare and present evidence in the courtroom.
Ideal for those who are interested in the field of solving crimes with the use of physical evidence, this 31-credit program includes courses such as introduction to crime scene technology; crime scene photography; introduction to criminal justice; criminal law; fingerprint technology; courtroom presentation of evidence; and forensic science.
- Location: Williamsville, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Onondaga Community College (SUNY)
Onondaga Community College offers an associate of science degree in criminal justice that seamlessly transfers to a four-year bachelor’s degree program. Students throughout this program will gain an overview of the entire criminal justice system, including criminal law, courts, ethics, law enforcement and police-community relations, institutional and community corrections, delinquency, private security, criminology, forensics, and homeland security.
This 60-credit program includes courses such as criminology; ethics and criminal justice; corrections process; law enforcement process; and justice system.
- Location: Syracuse, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
Borough of Manhattan Community College’s 60-credit associate of science program in science for forensics is a joint degree program that allows students to first complete this associate degree and then transfer to the bachelor’s degree program in forensic science at John Jay College.
In addition to this, Borough of Manhattan Community College also has associate degree programs in forensic accounting and criminal justice.
- Location: New York, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Binghamton University offers a graduate certificate program in forensic health for students who are interested in forensics and possess a bachelor’s degree.
This nine-credit program includes courses such as forensic health: sexual offending and victimization; forensic pediatrics; forensic health of victims; forensic health essentials; medicolegal death investigation; and forensic health of offenders.
- Location: Binghamton, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Hostos Community College offers a jointly registered associate degree in forensic science dual admission program leading to a BS in forensic science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Upon successful completion of the lower division at HCC, students will receive an AS degree at Hostos Community College and will have a seamless transition to the upper division of the baccalaureate program at John Jay.
Students entering this program will be granted dual admission to HCC and John Jay.
- Location: Bronx, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Roberts Wesleyan College offers a bachelor of science program in forensic science where students will study established laboratory procedures and scientific principles that help characterize and identify evidence found at the site of a criminal investigation. Upon completion, graduates will be prepared to follow established investigative protocols, interpret data in a careful and reproducible manner, and enter a forensic science laboratory.
This 120-credit program includes courses such as Introduction to Criminal Justice; Criminal Law and Processing; Criminal Procedure; Introduction to Forensic Science; Criminal Investigation; and Ethical Practices in Criminal Justice System.
- Location: Rochester, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
St. Thomas Aquinas College offers a bachelor of science program in forensic science that empowers students to begin their careers as skilled, ethical professionals with a detailed understanding of advanced technology and science and their application in today’s legal system.
The program’s curriculum includes courses such as law of criminal evidence; forensic science; forensic biology; forensic microscopy; genetics; and instrumental methods of analysis.
St. Thomas Aquinas College also has a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice.
- Location: Sparkill, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
CUNY Queensborough Community College
By majoring in computer science and information security; forensic science; forensic accounting; or criminal justice at Queensborough Community College, students are automatically part of the CUNY Justice Academy. The CUNY Justice Academy is a transfer-focused collaboration that links selected associate degree programs at six City University of New York (CUNY) community colleges to baccalaureate degree programs at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
The associate degree in science for forensic science program at Queensborough Community College provides a science-based foundation for students to transfer to John Jay and receive their BS degree.
- Location: Bayside, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
State University of New York at Oswego
SUNY – Oswego offers a bachelor of arts program in criminal justice that is primarily centered in the social and behavioral sciences. Students in this program can add a forensic science minor or double major in criminal justice and psychology, sociology, or political science to be fully prepared for career or graduate school plans.
The program also has an optional internship that provides students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in real-world settings and make contact with working professionals.
The program’s curriculum includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; introduction to policing; introduction to courts & judicial process; introduction to corrections; crime theories and victimization; forensic anthropology; advanced forensic anthropology; forensic science; topics in criminal justice; criminal investigation; and criminal procedure.
- Location: Oswego, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
CUNY Kingsborough Community College
Just like other programs listed above, Kingsborough Community College’s associate degree in criminal justice is a jointly registered dual enrollment degree program with John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
This 60-credit program includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; crime and punishment; constitutional law; policing; corrections and sentencing; minorities and the criminal justice system; and introduction to sociology.
- Location: Brooklyn, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
SUNY – Columbia Greene Community College
Columbia Greene Community College offers both a 61-credit associate of arts degree in criminal justice and a 62-credit associate of applied science degree in criminal justice.
The curriculum includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; corrections: institutional and community; criminal investigation; substantive criminal law; procedural criminal law; criminology; physical fitness for law enforcement; and American policing.
- Location: Hudson, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are several more forensic science and related programs available in New York.
- Excelsior University – Online BS in Criminal Justice
- Tompkins Cortland Community College – AS, AAS, and certificate in Criminal Justice
- Bronx Community College – AS in Science for Forensic Science
- Niagara County Community College – AS in Criminal Justice
- Genesee Community College – AAS in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensics
- SUNY University at Albany – MS in Forensic Science Investigation and Management
- SUNY Schenectady County Community College – AAS in Criminal Justice
In addition to these university-based programs, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in NYC provides a broad-based forensic sciences training program that is sponsored by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) for eligible participants. Facilities include the largest DNA lab in the U.S. and groundbreaking equipment for all hazard training and disaster response. Boasting an experienced staff, the program has three sets of training modules: medicolegal death investigation, forensic specialties, and basic bloodstain pattern analysis.
Hybrid and Online Options
In addition to ForensicsColleges’ national listing of online CSI and forensics programs, there are a number of distance-learning opportunities based in New York as well:
Utica University offers an online bachelor of science (BS) in cybersecurity degree endorsed by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security in Cyber Defense. Students in this program are provided with a strong foundation of cybersecurity skills and knowledge. They will be able to harness this knowledge to guard private information, identify network weaknesses, and defend against threats from malware, hackers, and other cyber threats. There are three unique specializations available: cyber operations; cybercrime and fraud investigation; and digital forensics and incident response.
This 120-credit program includes courses such as computer hardware and peripherals; introduction to cybersecurity; programming for cybersecurity; digital forensics; network forensics; cyber operations tools; fraud prevention and detection technologies; and malware analysis.
- Location: Utica, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
SUNY Canton in northern NY state hosts an online bachelor of technology degree in criminal investigation. In addition to coursework in subjects such as forensic photography, investigation of death, and investigative interviews, as part of the curriculum, students can choose between an internship in Washington D.C. with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives or travel across the U.S. to work in a medical examiner’s office.
Comprising 124 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; criminal law & procedures; introduction to forensic criminology; criminal investigations; law enforcement communications; forensic photography; latent prints and impressions; ethics in criminal justice; crime scene investigation; and a culminating experience in criminal justice.
Graduates will be ready to take up positions such as crime scene technicians, medical investigators, autopsy technicians, forensic scientists, and criminal investigation officers for police departments.
- Location: Canton, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
SUNY-Broome offers an online associate degree in computer security and forensics preparing graduates to work in the field as skilled computer security experts. Students in this program will obtain the ability to investigate and analyze security breaches, prevent weaknesses in network configurations, perform forensic analysis, respond to computer and network incidents, and establish procedures and policies within legal guidelines to protect companies.
This 64-credit program includes courses such as introduction to computer networking; malware analysis; computer forensics; security hardware and software; cryptographic systems; and advanced computer networking, among others.
SUNY-Broome also offers an associate degree in criminal justice, 50 percent of which can be completed online.
- Location: Binghamton, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Program Accreditation and Certification
Prospective forensic scientists in New York are encouraged to check the accreditation status of their institution prior to enrolling in a program. While institutional accreditation may not be a prerequisite to employment or further education, it may serve as an indicator of program quality.
While FEPAC accreditation is the gold standard for forensic science programs, it is important to note that a forensic science program that lacks accreditation from FEPAC is not necessarily subpar. Rather, FEPAC accredits only a small number of programs and focuses its efforts on those with heavily science-focused curriculums, making many criminal justice and crime scene investigation programs ineligible for accreditation.
In addition to the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission, there are a number of regional and institution-based accreditation agencies, including:
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
The U.S. Department of Education has a searchable database of all accredited locations and programs.
In addition, professional certification may be advisable to individuals prior to seeking employment. The process of licensure will vary by field, but it typically involves baseline standards of education and experience, as well as an exam or other proof of competence. The Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) currently accredits nine certification organizations:
- American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA)
- American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE)
- American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO)
- American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)
- American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)
- Board of Forensic Document Examiners (BFDE)
- International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
- International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS)
- International Board of Forensic Engineering Sciences (IBFES)
Those who wish to have detailed information on credentialing within each subfield of forensics can visit our programs or careers pages.
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Jocelyn Blore is the chief content officer of Sechel Ventures and the co-author of the Women Breaking Barriers series. She graduated summa cum laude from UC Berkeley and traveled the world for five years. She also worked as an addiction specialist for two years in San Francisco. She’s interested in how culture shapes individuals and systems within societies—one of the many themes she writes about in her blog, Blore’s Razor (Instagram: @bloresrazor). She has served as managing editor for several healthcare websites since 2015.