Chief Content Strategist
Jocelyn Blore
Search For Schools
Forensics Colleges in Wisconsin
A career in forensic sciences can be a fascinating career path for people who want to use their passion and talents in scientific investigation, data analysis, and meticulous examination to help solve crimes. While Wisconsin (WI) has a relatively low concentration of forensic science positions, there are some opportunities in the state and much more nationally.
So what can a person expect from a forensics college in Wisconsin? O*NET (2024)—a data group sponsored by the US Department of Labor—reports that forensic science techs must be trained in a variety of skills, including collecting, analyzing, and carefully documenting evidence from crime scenes; liaising with medical, and law enforcement, and other professionals; performing laboratory tests on multiple types of evidence; and testifying as expert witnesses in court. Notably, there are several specialties in forensics such as criminalistics, toxicology, forensic accounting, cybercrime, DNA analysis document examination, ballistics, arson investigations, and other subfields.
While there are a few different paths people can take to work in forensics, majoring in forensic science is perhaps the most direct route. However, even for those who have majored in another subject, there are several educational paths to consider. Several colleges and universities in Wisconsin offer certificates and degrees in forensic science and related disciplines, primarily in an on-campus format, in addition to a few available online alternatives.
Read on below to discover how to become a forensic scientist in WI; 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 Wisconsin
The term forensic scientist can be applied to many different but related careers. Unsurprisingly, there are several different ways to prepare for these careers. Because forensic scientists work closely with law enforcement and law enforcement agencies employ many forensic scientists, some people choose to attend a police academy or obtain an entry-level law enforcement position as a first step toward their career.
For those with a college degree, or considering a college degree, there is a more direct path, with the most common steps including:
Step 1: Graduate high school (4 years)
There are few absolute requirements for forensic scientists since the job can encompass so many different areas. However, earning a high school diploma is by far the best way to start down the path toward a career in forensics since 96 percent of employed forensic science technicians have a high school diploma or equivalent (CareerOneStop.org 2024). Students should take as many science and mathematics courses as possible and do well in those classes.
Step 2: Earn an undergraduate degree (two to four years)
According to the BLS, forensic science technicians typically need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in order to pursue the career successfully. While some programs offer degrees focused on forensic sciences, many enter the field with a bachelor of science (BS) in a related field such as chemistry or biology. According to Career One Stop, 34 percent have completed bachelor’s degree programs and 13 percent of forensic science technicians have completed only an associate’s degree, so that is another option for those who are unable to attend a four-year program.
Step 3: Become professionally certified (timeline varies)
The need for professional certification depends on the career goals of the forensic scientist. In the U.S., nine organizations have been approved by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) to grant professional certification in various fields, including the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, the Board of Forensic Document Examiners, and the American Board of Forensic Toxicology. Each organization has its own requirements for certification, with many requiring a certain number of professional hours worked in the field before becoming eligible.
Step 4: Earn a graduate degree (timeline varies)
For aspiring forensic scientists with an undergraduate degree in another subject or for practitioners looking to specialize or master additional skills in the hopes of taking on more responsibility, graduate degrees are available. Around 12 percent of forensic science technicians have a master’s level degree while an additional 3 percent have a doctoral degree (CareerOneStop.org 2024).
Following the steps above, aspiring forensic scientists in Wisconsin may seek jobs in various contexts, such as police crime labs, psychiatric hospitals, and government at all levels, to name a few.
Career Outlook and Occupational Demand
According to Projections Central (2024), a career statistics site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Wisconsin’s demand for forensic science technicians is expected to grow by 12 percent through 2032, equating to 30 new jobs. While that number is indeed small for a state with approximately 5 million residents, consider that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) reports that nationally the demand is expected to grow at a rate of 14 percent over the ten years ending in 2033, which equates to 2,500 forensic science technician job openings.
The job prospects for forensic science technicians in Wisconsin are certainly not as strong as they could be. Bigger states with higher rates of crime and more densely populated cities are likely to be able to offer more jobs and higher salaries. However, for those who decide to stick it out in Wisconsin, there are still jobs to be had, with a 12 percent growth rate expected.
Because the population of Wisconsin is fairly small, there are not as many jobs for forensic science technicians in the state overall. Most jobs are concentrated in the Milwaukee metropolitan area, where approximately 120 forensic science technicians were employed as of May 2023, according to BLS data.
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 Wisconsin
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023) reported that there were 280 forensic science technicians in the state.
Furthermore, BLS found that the salary figures are somewhat lower than the national salary ranges. As proof of point, the United States employs 17,520 forensic science technicians with an average annual salary (mean annual wage) of $71,540. In WI, the average salary in this field is $63,700.
In more detailed terms, here is a breakdown of the salary percentiles among all forensic science technicians in the country compared with those in WI (BLS May 2023):
| United States | Wisconsin | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Forensic Science Technicians Employed | 17,520 | 280 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $71,540 | $63,700 |
| 10th percentile | $41,410 | $43,300 |
| 25th percentile | $50,480 | $53,670 |
| 50th percentile | $64,940 | $60,570 |
| 75th percentile | $84,720 | $72,590 |
| 90th percentile | $107,490 | $93,390 |
The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, PayScale (Dec. 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
While the figures for Wisconsin are somewhat lower than the national salary ranges, it’s important to note that the cost of living is substantially lower than in many other US states. For illustration, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024) found that WI ranked 29th among all American states with respect to affordability, boasting savings, especially in the realm of utilities.
Featured Forensic Science Programs in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, students looking for forensic science schools will find few options and degree programs. Some of these programs specifically focus on forensic science, while other schools offer training in related fields such as criminal justice, or other niche areas. One way to distinguish forensic science programs from one another is through programmatic accreditation, specifically from the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).
There are currently no programs in Wisconsin that have obtained programmatic accredited status from the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). While this does not mean that the programs in the state will not provide a good education, it does mean they have not yet been thoroughly evaluated by that particular board for their forensic science programs.
Marian University offers a bachelor of science degree in forensic science. As part of the full-time program, students will learn “essential skills in investigative processing, crime scene reconstruction, criminal laboratory science, DNA analysis, evidence handling, police science, expert witness testimony, and technical photography.”
The program teaches how to analyze and examine evidence from crime scenes to develop objective findings that can assist in investigating crime. Graduates gain the skills, analytical techniques, and knowledge needed for entering this field through coursework taught by experienced faculty members.
As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as introduction to the criminal justice system; survey of forensic sciences; forensic sciences; criminal procedures; forensic photography; principles of judicial practice; crime scene investigation; and rules of evidence.
Graduates will be ready to take up careers in criminalistics, crime scene investigation, bloodstain pattern analysis, forensic photography, electronic digital imaging, law enforcement agencies, and industrial product development. They will be able to take up roles such as bloodstain pattern analysts, crime scene investigators, fingerprint analysts, experts in firearms identification, forensic chemists, forensic serologists, and trace evidence analysts.
- Location: Fond du Lac, WI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
The University of Wisconsin at Platteville offers a bachelor of science degree in forensic investigations, the first program of its kind in the Midwest. Students learn crime scene processing techniques, including mapping, fingerprint identification, and forensic photography. This degree also comprises a significant number of criminal justice classes, which are offered as part of the university’s Department of Criminal Justice.
In addition to the forensic investigation program, the University of Wisconsin at Platteville also offers a bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice. With both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science options in criminal justice, students can choose an emphasis in either law enforcement or corrections.
Students must select one of the three emphases within the forensic investigation major: crime scene emphasis, laboratory emphasis, or medicolegal death investigation emphasis. The curriculum includes courses such as survey of forensic sciences; crime scene processing; crime scene documentation; history & ethics of forensic investigation; research methods in forensic investigation; correctional institutions; criminal procedure and evidence; medicolegal death investigation; and forensic anthropology.
The bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; foundations of policing; foundations of corrections; criminal law; crime and delinquency; research methods in criminal justice; and behavioral research.
- Location: Platteville, WI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers several programs related to forensic science: a bachelor of science program in criminal justice and criminology; a master of science program in criminal justice and criminology and four undergraduate certificate programs in crime analysis, death investigation, forensic science, and forensic toxicology.
Students in the BS program study the three broad areas of this profession: corrections, law enforcement, and the courts. They study the causes of crime, the criminal justice system, and the impact of crime on society and individuals. This 120-credit program includes courses such as an introduction to criminal justice; introduction to policing; introduction to corrections; introduction to criminal courts; criminological theory and policy; methods of social welfare research; and race, ethnicity, and justice.
The master’s degree prepares graduates for leadership positions in the criminology and criminal justice field and prepares them for advanced study at the doctoral level. Applicants to this program must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. The curriculum of this 33-credit program includes courses such as analysis of criminal justice research; administration of criminal justice systems; perspectives on crime and the criminal justice system; and measuring crime and analyzing crime data.
The undergraduate certificate programs, which do not culminate in degrees, offer students a background in essential forensic science knowledge through courses taught by UW faculty on criminalistics, DNA identification, and forensic anthropology.
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: BS (four years); MS (two years)
Carroll University offers a bachelor of science program in criminal justice providing students with an understanding of the complexity of the criminal justice system and criminal behaviors. Rooted in sociology, criminology, and social and criminal justice, this program will challenge students to explore some of the most immediate and difficult concerns facing American society.
Students in this program can double major or double minor and still complete the program in just four years. Suggested options include forensic science, psychology, communication, organizational leadership, and professional writing.
Some of the topics students will delve into include an introduction to criminal justice, criminology, criminal law, law enforcement and justice, juvenile delinquency, victims and victimology, and the sociology of social problems.
Notably, Carroll University also offers a bachelor of science program in chemistry with an emphasis on forensic science. Courses include an introduction to criminal justice; forensic science; and advanced forensic science.
- Location: Waukesha, WI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee Area Technical College offers an IT digital forensics analyst technical diploma that covers specialized areas of forensics such as mobile forensics and internet forensics. Through this program, students can also work toward earning several industry certifications.
This 38-credit program includes courses such as introduction to networks; information security principles; computer forensics; information security risk management; mobile devices forensics; advanced forensics; malware forensics; and security measures and intrusion detection.
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: One year
For more information on forensics schools and specializations, please visit the forensic programs page.
Hybrid & Online Forensics Programs
In addition to online forensic programs all over the country, there are a few web-based options within the state of Wisconsin:
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
In addition to on-campus programs in criminal justice and criminology, the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee has an online graduate certificate in cybercrime forensics. Offered in collaboration with the School of Information Studies and the Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, this online certificate provides students with a foundation in legal and policy issues of cybercrime, digital forensic investigation, and cybercrime theory.
Applicants to this program must hold a bachelor’s degree and have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 to be admitted.
The program, which comprises 21 credits, includes courses such as cybercrime, cybercrime, law, and public policy, ethical hacking, special topics in information science, criminal evidence and investigation, and investigating the dark web.
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Within a year
Fox Valley Technical College, located in Appleton, offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in forensic science. This 60-credit degree offers courses both on campus and online. Students will learn how to “identify, document, collect, preserve, and analyze physical evidence ” and gain real-world experience.
Instructors have professional experience in the field they teach and students may be able to use their degree to transfer to a four-year college or university due to articulation agreements. The curriculum includes courses such as introduction to forensic science; cultural diversity in criminal justice; basic crime scene photography; impression evidence; criminal procedures; biological & trace evidence; crash scene investigation; and evidence management.
Graduates of this program will be able to take up positions such as crime scene technicians, evidence & property specialists, evidence custodians, forensic technicians, identification lab technicians, insurance investigators, and police officers.
- Location: Appleton, WI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
For more information on distance-based education at all levels and specialties, please visit the online forensic science degrees page.
Accreditation and Professional Certification
There are two types of accreditation for forensic science programs: institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation. Unfortunately, there are currently no programs in Wisconsin that have obtained programmatic accreditation status from the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).
While this does not mean that the programs in the state will not provide a good education, it does mean they have not yet been thoroughly evaluated by that particular board for their forensic science programs. Indeed, FEPAC accredits very few programs and its standards are such that criminal justice and crime scene investigation programs are not eligible for accreditation. Applicants to programs that have not earned FEPAC accreditation should be sure to investigate the institution’s overall regional accreditation prior to application.
Each program listed above has achieved some manner of institutional accreditation from a general education organization such as the Higher Learning Commission. This means that the curriculum, faculty, and facilities have been approved after a thorough assessment.
Although professional certification is not always necessary to secure employment in forensics in Wisconsin, it may be advisable for several reasons. First, certification can indicate a job applicant’s knowledge in a particular area and improve one’s resume. Second, it can enhance a person’s earning potential, opportunities for advancement, and leadership responsibilities. Lastly, a national certification can be transferable to other states across the country.
Requirements for common professional certifications in forensics vary, but they generally include having at least a bachelor’s degree in forensics, biology, chemistry, or another relevant field; having several years of verifiable experience; sending professional references; and passing an exam. There are currently nine professional certifications recognized by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB), including:
- 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.
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.