Forensic Science Programs in Arizona

Updated October 2, 2026

Forensic science technicians in Arizona earn a median $63,250 a year, per May 2025 BLS wage data, with 16.4% growth projected through 2034. BLS says most technician jobs need at least a bachelor’s degree, often in physical science, biology, or forensic science. Seven Arizona schools report programs in the federal CIP family that includes forensic science.

Forensic science sits at the intersection of lab work and courtroom testimony, which sets it apart from patrol or corrections. If you’re planning to stay in Arizona after graduation, the state has seven institutions reporting a program in the federal CIP family that includes forensic science, with credential levels ranging from certificate to bachelor’s.

Compare degree options in Arizona below, from certificate to four-year programs, and request information from schools that interest you.

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What Can I Do with a Forensic Science Degree in Arizona?

Forensic science technicians handle both crime-scene and lab responsibilities. BLS recognizes both: collecting and preserving evidence, and processing and analyzing it afterward, though the exact split between the two varies by agency and assignment.

Forensic Science Degrees in Arizona

Arizona institutions report programs in the federal CIP family that includes forensic science at three credential levels: certificate, associate, and bachelor’s. The sections below show what a program at each level commonly looks like, but exact curriculum and how forensic-science-specific it is varies by school, so confirm directly with any program you’re considering.

Certificate-Level Programs

One certificate structure you may encounter in Arizona runs 18 credits across six courses, completable in one to two semesters at some schools. Course requirements and transferability vary by program, so confirm with each school directly, including whether credits earned will count toward an associate or bachelor’s program.

Example coursework from one certificate track in this field:

• Rules of Evidence
• Evidence Technology and Fingerprints
• Criminalistics: Physical Evidence
• Criminalistics: Biological Evidence
• Police Photography
• Criminal Investigation

Associate-Level Programs

Of the seven Arizona institutions in the federal data, Phoenix College and Scottsdale Community College report an associate-level credential in this CIP family. Program length and course requirements vary by school. A two-year associate track commonly runs around 60 credits, but confirm specifics and any transfer agreement directly with the institution.

Example coursework from an associate-level program in this field:

• Substantive Criminal Law
• Constitutional Law
• Evidence Technology and Fingerprints
• Criminalistics
• Police Photography
• Procedural Criminal Law
• Criminal Investigation

Bachelor’s-Level Programs

Brookline College-Phoenix and Grand Canyon University report a bachelor’s-level credential in this CIP family. A four-year track commonly combines physical science coursework, chemistry and biology, with forensic-specific classes, running around 120 credits. Lab requirements and program format vary by school, so ask directly about hands-on lab access whether you’re considering an in-person or online option.

Example coursework from a bachelor’s-level program in this field:

• Criminology
• Research Methods in Criminology
• Crime and Justice
• Forensic Evidence
• Forensic Investigation
• Biological Evidence
• Physical Evidence

Where to Study Forensic Science Programs in Arizona

Seven Arizona institutions offer a program in the security-science-and-technology CIP family, the federal category that includes forensic science, per U.S. Department of Education data. None of the programs below are distance-only, so each has a physical Arizona campus.

Confirm current enrollment, course format, and admission requirements directly with each school before you apply. Scorecard data is a snapshot, not today’s live catalog, so a program a school marketed last year may have shifted since.

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.

Working as a Forensic Scientist in Arizona

Forensic science technicians in Arizona earn a median of $63,250 a year, as of May 2025 BLS wage data, with 16.4% job growth projected between 2024 and 2034 per ProjectionsCentral, and about 40 average annual openings. The role splits between crime-scene work, collecting and preserving evidence, and lab work, running comparisons and writing reports, with the exact mix varying by agency and assignment.

If you’re researching adjacent criminal justice careers, two related occupations show up often in Arizona’s labor data: detectives and criminal investigators, with a median $102,340 a year and 3.2% growth projected through 2034 per ProjectionsCentral, and police and sheriff’s patrol officers, with a median $78,880 and 5.5% growth over the same period. Both are sworn law-enforcement roles with their own state- and agency-specific hiring, academy, and certification requirements, separate from any forensic science credential.

May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Forensic Science Technicians and Detectives and Patrol Officers. 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 October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a forensic science degree to become a forensic science technician in Arizona?

BLS reports that forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, most often in a physical science, biology, or forensic science itself. A criminal justice degree can work for some positions if it includes the required science coursework, but that depends on the employer and the specific forensic discipline, so check the job posting or agency requirements directly.

What’s the fastest way to start working in forensic science in Arizona?

There isn’t a shortcut around the bachelor’s degree BLS says most forensic science technician roles require. A certificate or associate-level credential may support certain support positions, like an evidence or property technician role at some agencies, but requirements vary by employer, so confirm what a specific opening actually requires before choosing a shorter program.

Is forensic science the same as criminal justice in Arizona’s education data?

No. Forensic science programs fall under the security-science-and-technology CIP family, a different federal category than the general criminal-justice-and-corrections family that covers most policing and corrections degrees.

Do forensic science technicians in Arizona have to testify in court?

Sometimes. If your lab work becomes evidence in a criminal case, you may be called as an expert witness to explain your findings and methodology. How well a specific program prepares you for that depends on the school. Coursework in evidence handling and investigation procedure is common in the field but not universal across every program.

Key Takeaways

• The role requires a bachelor’s, not an associate – BLS says forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, often in a physical science, biology, or forensic science itself.
• Seven Arizona institutions report programs in the CIP family – from certificate to bachelor’s credential levels- per federal education data, though not every listed program is forensic-science-specific.
• The CIP code is broader than the job – “security science and technology” covers forensic science plus adjacent programs, so confirm a program’s actual coursework before enrolling.
• Related law-enforcement careers are separate occupations, not a continuation – detectives, criminal investigators, and patrol officers appear in Arizona’s criminal justice labor data, but each has its own sworn hiring, academy, and certification requirements, independent of any forensic science credential.

Comparing schools is the next real step. Use the table above to shortlist Arizona institutions by credential level, then reach out directly to confirm admission requirements, format, and current course offerings before you apply.

Looking for Forensic Science Programs in Another State?

Use the picker below to compare forensic science degree options in any other state.

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