Forensic Science Degree Programs in Alaska

Updated October 2, 2026

Federal education data shows no Alaska institution offering a program in the CIP family that includes forensic science, so most residents pursuing the degree look out of state or online. Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor’s in physical science, biology, or forensic science, and earn a national median of $72,060 a year (BLS, May 2025).

Forensic science has changed more in the last decade than almost any other part of criminal justice. DNA analysis, digital evidence recovery, and faster lab turnaround have all reshaped the job, and Alaska’s gap in dedicated forensic science programs makes the path to this career look different here than in states that have one.

Forensic science technician work and sworn law enforcement work are related fields, but they’re separate occupations with their own degrees, hiring processes, and certification requirements. It’s worth knowing the difference before you pick a program, since the two paths aren’t interchangeable.

Considering a career in forensic technology? Learn how to become a forensic scientist by contacting Alaska programs today.

Featured Programs:

Forensic Science Degrees in Alaska

Your starting point depends on where you are in your education. The details below describe forensic science bachelor’s and master’s programs generally, since Alaska doesn’t have an in-state program in this CIP family to check against.

Admission requirements vary by school, but expect to submit high school transcripts and GPA if you’re a recent graduate, and possibly employer references if you’ve been working. Confirm specific admission requirements, including whether a background check applies, directly with any program you’re considering.

Across forensic science bachelor’s programs generally, expect at least 120 credits, sometimes closer to 130 depending on the school. After general education requirements, the forensic science coursework starts.

Commonly Required Bachelor’s-Level Forensics Courses

Crime Scene Investigation
Forensic Research
Law Enforcement
Professional Practice in Forensic Science
Forensic Chemistry
Microscopic Examination of Firearms Evidence

At the undergraduate level, these programs typically cover criminal investigation fundamentals, forensic chemistry, toxicology basics, data collection methods, and the scientific method applied to evidence. Lab and internship requirements vary by program, so check the specifics with any school you’re considering.

If you’ve already got a Bachelor’s, a Master’s in forensic science goes deeper, and you don’t necessarily need an undergraduate degree in forensic science or criminal justice to get in. A background in a physical science often satisfies the prerequisite coursework instead.

Graduate programs in this field often run about two years and 30 credits, though this varies by school. Programs commonly cover specialized topics such as forensic anthropology, forensic medicine, entomology, criminalistics, biological evidence, and DNA analysis.

Master’s-Level Forensic Science Courses

Forensic Toxicology
Principles of Forensic Science
Biological Evidence and Serology
Topics in Forensic Science
Toxicology of Chemical Weapons
Forensic Analysis of DNA
Blood Distribution and Spatter

These programs introduce specialized topics like DNA analysis, evidence admissibility, bloodstain pattern interpretation, and toxicology. Competency in any one of them typically requires additional discipline-specific training and an employer’s own assessment before you’d work a case independently in that area. A degree gives you the foundation, not full qualification across every discipline it touches on.

Whether you’re weighing a Bachelor’s or a Master’s, this is a good time to get a real sense of what forensic science work actually involves day-to-day. Reach out to the forensic science programs above to compare your options.

Working in Alaska’s Criminal Justice System

Forensic Science Technicians

Alaska doesn’t have a published state-specific wage for this occupation. Nationally, forensic science technicians earn a median of $72,060 a year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Alaska’s employment projection for the role shows growth of 1.9% through 2034, with about 10 average annual openings (ProjectionsCentral, 2024-34). Growth and openings measure different things: growth describes how the field’s size is expected to change; openings describe how many positions typically come open in a given year.

Patrol Officers and Detectives: A Separate Career Path

A forensic science degree doesn’t by itself qualify you for a sworn law enforcement position in Alaska. Patrol officers and detectives go through their own hiring, academy, and certification process, generally overseen by the Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) or the hiring agency directly, and specific requirements vary by department.

For context, Alaska’s police and sheriff’s patrol officers earn a median of $99,130 a year, with employment projected to decline 0.4% through 2034 and about 110 average annual openings (ProjectionsCentral, 2024-34). Detectives and criminal investigators earn a median of $114,940 a year, with employment projected to decline 1.7% through 2034 and about 10 average annual openings (ProjectionsCentral, 2024-34). Both occupations are cited to the same Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers and Detectives BLS profile. If a sworn role interests you, check the specific agency’s hiring requirements and APSC certification standards directly.

Discover how you can make your community safer by getting in touch with forensic science programs below.

Federal education data doesn’t show a single Alaska-based institution reporting a program in the Security Science and Technology CIP family, the code that includes forensic science. The University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Fairbanks both offer general criminal justice degrees, which can support some criminal justice careers, but BLS identifies a bachelor’s degree in physical science, biology, or forensic science as the typical preparation for forensic science technician work specifically, not a general CJ degree. If that credential matters to you, plan on an online program or a school outside the state, and confirm current enrollment, format, and admission requirements directly with the school before applying.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Alaska have a forensic science degree program?

Federal education data shows no Alaska institution reporting a program in the Security Science and Technology CIP family, the code that includes forensic science. The University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Fairbanks both offer general criminal justice degrees, which differ from the bachelor’s-level science preparation BLS identifies as typical for forensic science technician work.

What’s the difference between a forensic science technician and a criminal investigator?

They’re separate occupations with different training and hiring paths. Forensic science technicians collect and analyze physical evidence, working crime scenes, laboratories, or both depending on the role. Criminal investigators and detectives build and pursue criminal cases and typically come up through sworn law enforcement, with its own academy and certification requirements.

How much do forensic science technicians make in Alaska?

Alaska doesn’t have a state-specific wage figure published for this occupation. Nationally, forensic science technicians earn a median of $72,060 a year (BLS, May 2025), and Alaska’s job growth projection for the role is up 1.9% through 2034.

Do I need a criminal justice degree to work in a crime lab?

Not typically. BLS identifies forensic science technicians as needing at least a bachelor’s degree, often in physical science, biology, or forensic science, though exact requirements vary by employer and specialty. A criminal justice degree is more directly useful for law enforcement or investigative roles.

Key Takeaways

No in-state forensic science program, per federal data – Alaska has zero institutions reporting a program in the CIP family that includes forensic science. Plan on an online program or an out-of-state school if that specific credential matters to you.
Forensic science and sworn law enforcement are different occupations – forensic science technician work and patrol/detective work require different degrees, hiring processes, and certification. One doesn’t automatically lead to the other.
Alaska’s outlook varies by role – patrol officers and detectives are both projected to see small employment declines through 2034, while forensic science technicians are projected to grow modestly, each with a small number of average annual openings (ProjectionsCentral, 2024-34).

If a dedicated forensic science program near you matters more than staying in Alaska, use the state finder above to compare programs elsewhere, or reach out to the featured schools higher on this page if an online option fits your situation better.

Looking for a Criminal Justice Program in Another State?

If Alaska doesn’t have the specific program you need, use the state finder below to compare forensic science programs elsewhere.

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