Forensic Science Degree Programs in Alabama

Updated September 22, 2026

Alabama has two named forensic science degree programs: a bachelor’s and a thesis-based master’s at Alabama State University, and a FEPAC-accredited master’s at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Forensic Science Technicians in Alabama earn a median $59,560 a year (BLS, May 2025). Sworn law enforcement in the state runs on a separate track, governed by APOSTC.

Forensic science in Alabama means lab work: processing physical evidence, running chemical and biological analysis, and testifying in court about what the results show. It’s a separate career track from sworn law enforcement, with its own degree requirements, hiring standards, and, for one Alabama program, national accreditation. Here’s what each school actually offers, what the work pays, and what it takes to get in the door.

Featured Programs:

What Forensic Science Work Actually Involves

Forensic science technicians collect and analyze physical evidence, DNA, drug chemistry, toxicology, trace evidence, and more, depending on their assigned discipline. They process samples in a lab, document chain of custody, and testify about their findings in court. It’s exacting work, and a lab error can undo a case. Programs in this field commonly warn that a forensic-science minor or a general criminal justice degree alone isn’t enough to get hired into an actual crime lab. The two programs below are built around chemistry and biology coursework, not case studies.

Forensic Science Degree Programs in Alabama

Two Alabama schools offer named forensic science degree programs, confirmed directly on each school’s site.

Alabama State University, in Montgomery, offers a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science and a Master of Science in Forensic Science with a thesis requirement. ASU states it’s the only public institution in Alabama offering a forensic science bachelor’s degree. The master’s requires prerequisite coursework in physics, general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, and upper-level biology, plus a qualifying GRE score.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham, in Birmingham, offers a Master of Science in Forensic Science accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), one of fewer than 30 such accredited programs nationwide and, per multiple sources, the only FEPAC-accredited program in Alabama. UAB offers both a thesis and a non-thesis option, each around 39 semester hours per the program’s graduate catalog. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, or forensic science (from a FEPAC-accredited program, if forensics), specific prerequisite coursework such as instrumental and quantitative chemistry or biochemistry and genetics, and an overall 3.0 GPA.

Confirm current admission requirements, coursework, and enrollment status directly with each program before applying, since catalogs change year to year.

These same two institutions also appear in federal Security Science and Technology CIP-family data, the broader program category that includes forensic science:

Institution	City	Control	Credential Level(s)
Alabama State University	Montgomery	Public	Bachelor’s, Master’s
University of Alabama at Birmingham	Birmingham	Public	Master’s

School and program data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, institution file May 2025 and field-of-study file April 2025. Data accessed September 2026.

Forensic Science Technician Pay and Outlook in Alabama

As of May 2025 BLS wage data, Forensic Science Technicians in Alabama earn a median $59,560 a year. Employment for the role is projected to grow 11.9% from 2024 to 2034, per ProjectionsCentral, though the job base is still small: about 190 technician positions statewide as of 2024.

There’s no single license or certification covering the forensic science profession as a whole. Lab hiring standards and certification requirements are set by the individual employer or forensic discipline, not by a statewide board. UAB notes that forensic positions commonly involve extensive background checks, similar to those required for law enforcement roles.

Sworn Law Enforcement Careers in Alabama (a Separate Track)

Sworn law enforcement in Alabama runs on its own certification track, governed by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC), separate from any forensic science degree. Applicants need a high school diploma or GED and a passing score on the Basic Ability Test (BAT), which uses the ACT WorkKeys assessment. Applicants who already hold an accredited associate’s degree or higher, or who are already APOSTC-certified, are exempt from the BAT. Individual agencies can add requirements beyond the state minimum, and academy completion is one step in a longer certification and hiring process, not the finish line by itself.

As of May 2025 BLS wage data, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers in Alabama earn a median $51,270 a year. Employment for the role is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, per ProjectionsCentral.

May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers and Forensic Science Technicians. Long-term (2024-34) job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, ProjectionsCentral. Figures reflect state-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a forensic science degree to become a police officer in Alabama?

No. Alabama’s minimum requirement for sworn law enforcement is a high school diploma or GED plus a passing Basic Ability Test score, or an exemption if you already hold an accredited associate’s degree or higher. That’s governed by APOSTC, a separate certification system from any forensic science degree program.

Is there a required license or certification for forensic scientists in Alabama?

No single license covers the profession. Certification requirements are set by the specific lab, employer, or forensic discipline, not by a statewide licensing board. A program’s FEPAC accreditation is a quality marker for the education itself, not a license to practice.

What’s the difference between Alabama State University’s and UAB’s forensic science master’s programs?

ASU’s Master of Science in Forensic Science requires a thesis and specific science prerequisites: physics, chemistry, biochemistry, and upper-level biology, plus a qualifying GRE score. UAB’s Master of Science in Forensic Science is FEPAC-accredited, one of fewer than 30 in the country, and offers both a thesis and a non-thesis option, each around 39 semester hours.

Does a forensic science degree require a background in chemistry or biology?

Generally, yes, especially at the graduate level. UAB requires a bachelor’s in chemistry, biology, or an accredited forensic science program, plus specific coursework like instrumental and quantitative chemistry or biochemistry and genetics. A general criminal justice background alone typically isn’t enough for a lab role.

Key Takeaways

Two named forensic science degree programs – a bachelor’s and thesis-based master’s at Alabama State University, and a FEPAC-accredited master’s at UAB.
Forensic Science Technicians earn a median of $59,560 a year – BLS, May 2025, with 11.9% projected growth through 2034.
Sworn law enforcement is a separate track – governed by APOSTC, requiring the Basic Ability Test (ACT WorkKeys) or an accredited associate’s degree exemption, not a forensic science curriculum.
No universal license covers forensic science work – lab hiring and certification standards vary by employer and discipline.
Confirm before you apply – admission requirements and coursework directly with each school, since catalogs change year to year.

Take a look at the featured programs above, since several run both the criminal justice and forensic science tracks this page covers. If you want to compare Alabama against another state’s programs, the state picker below lets you jump straight there.

Want the bigger picture? Read the full guide to Compare Forensic Scientist Schools & Training Programs.