Forensic Science Degree Programs in Arkansas

Updated September 22, 2026

Federal education data lists three Arkansas institutions under the security-science-and-technology program family, the federal category that includes forensic science, though what each actually offers varies widely and none is a stand-alone general-entry forensic science degree. Arkansas forensic science technicians, the closest BLS occupation to this field, earn a median $44,670 a year, per May 2025 state wage data, in a small but fast-growing occupation.

Forensic evidence solves cases that used to go cold. DNA analysis, digital imaging, and better lab methods mean investigators can place a suspect at a scene, or clear one, with a certainty that didn’t exist a generation ago. A forensic science degree prepares you for crime lab and evidence-analysis work, not for sworn law enforcement itself. Becoming a police officer or a coroner in Arkansas runs through its own certification path, separate from this degree, and this guide covers where those paths split.

Where you land depends on what you’ve already studied and which Arkansas program’s actual current offerings match your goal. Program specifics vary more than the federal data alone can show, so this guide flags what to verify with each school before you apply.

What a Forensic Science Degree Prepares You For

Forensic science covers more than blood spatter and fingerprints. Depending on the program, coursework can include digital evidence handling: tracing unauthorized file access, recovering deleted data, and documenting a chain of custody that holds up in court. Not every forensic science program includes digital forensics, though, and some focus entirely on laboratory science instead, so check a program’s actual course list rather than assuming.

Curious about specific programs? The schools below train students for criminal-justice and forensic-science-adjacent work.

Featured Programs:

Where to Study in Arkansas

Federal education data lists three Arkansas institutions under the security-science-and-technology CIP family, a broad federal category that includes forensic science alongside other security disciplines. What each school currently offers varies significantly, and none maps directly onto a stand-alone, general-entry forensic science degree.

School	City	Credential (CIP Family)	What to Verify
Arkansas State University	Jonesboro	Bachelor’s, Security Science & Technology	Tied to Chemistry/Biochemistry, not a separately named forensic science degree. Ask the department how coursework applies to lab-based forensic work.
Arkansas State University-Beebe	Beebe	Undergraduate certificate, Security Science & Technology	The Crime Scene Investigation credential, run with the UA Criminal Justice Institute, is built for current sworn or licensed law enforcement officers only.
Black River Technical College	Pocahontas	Undergraduate certificate, Security Science & Technology	Public program information centers on general Criminal Justice credentials. Confirm any forensic-specific coursework directly with the school.

This is federal education data, not a live class schedule, and it doesn’t specify course content or admission requirements. Call each school before you apply. If none of these fits what you’re after, browse forensic science programs in every state below.

Related Career Pay in Arkansas

Forensic science technician is the direct BLS match for this degree. Patrol officers and criminal investigators are included here too, since some forensic science students cross into law enforcement, but becoming a sworn officer or investigator in Arkansas runs through a separate credentialing path, not this degree. The Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST) sets the state’s minimum training and certification standards for sworn officers, including Basic Certificate training and at least a 12-month probationary period with the hiring agency. A forensic science degree doesn’t satisfy any part of that on its own.

Forensic science technicians in Arkansas earn a median of $44,670 a year, per May 2025 BLS state wage data. It’s a small occupation, about 100 workers statewide, and ProjectionsCentral projects 11.8% employment growth from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 average annual job openings, a figure that includes replacement demand along with any true growth.

Police and sheriff’s patrol officers earn a median of $47,670 a year in Arkansas, with the middle half of the field making between $40,100 and $56,720, per the same BLS data. ProjectionsCentral projects 7.6% growth through 2034, with about 480 average annual job openings statewide.

Criminal investigators earn a median $54,500 in Arkansas, though the field has real range: the top 10% clear $144,890. ProjectionsCentral projects 5% growth through 2034, with about 40 average annual job openings, a smaller and more specialized occupation than patrol.

May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers, Detectives and Criminal Investigators, 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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a forensic science degree in Arkansas?

A forensic science degree can lead toward forensic science technician work in a crime lab or toward broader criminal justice roles. Becoming a sworn law enforcement officer or investigator requires separate CLEST certification, not just a degree. Some forensic science programs include digital forensics coursework covering cybercrime and data-breach work, though this varies by school.

Do I need a forensic science degree to work in a crime lab?

BLS reports that forensic science technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree, usually in a natural science. Individual labs set their own requirements by discipline and position, though. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, for example, uses job- and specialty-specific education and training qualifications rather than one blanket forensic-science-degree requirement, so check the actual posting for the discipline you want.

How long does a forensic science-related program take?

It depends on the credential and the school. Nationally, undergraduate certificates in this program family often run a year or less, associate degrees around two years, and bachelor’s degrees about four years and roughly 120 credits, though exact requirements vary program by program. Confirm the specific timeline with any school you’re considering.

What does a forensic science technician earn in Arkansas?

Arkansas forensic science technicians earn a median of $44,670 a year, per May 2025 BLS wage data. The occupation is small in the state, about 100 workers, but growing faster than the patrol and investigator roles covered above.

Key Takeaways

Three schools, real limits – Federal data lists three Arkansas schools under the CIP family that includes forensic science, but each has real limits: ASU’s tie to forensic science runs through chemistry, ASU-Beebe’s CSI credential is restricted to sworn officers, and Black River’s confirmed offering is general criminal justice
Confirm the curriculum – Program content varies widely: not every listed program includes lab-based forensic coursework or digital forensics, so confirm the actual curriculum before enrolling
Pay and growth – Forensic science technicians earn a median $44,670 a year in Arkansas, with 11.8% projected job growth through 2034, faster than the patrol and investigator roles above
Separate paths – Becoming a sworn law enforcement officer or investigator in Arkansas requires separate CLEST certification, not an academic degree on its own

Worried about paying for the degree? Look into scholarships built for criminal justice majors before you turn to loans. Many are aimed specifically at students in this field.

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