Forensic Science Degree Programs in Connecticut

Updated October 1, 2026

Connecticut has two schools, Sacred Heart University and the University of New Haven, reporting credentials in the federal Security Science and Technology category that includes forensic science. Forensic science technicians in the state earned a median $85,910 a year as of May 2025 data, nearly $14,000 above the national median, with Connecticut projecting 11.6% job growth through 2034.

Forensic science work splits into two different jobs with the same title. One is lab work, running DNA panels and testing trace evidence under a chain of custody that has to survive a defense attorney’s cross-examination. The other is field work, walking a scene before anyone else touches it. Most degree programs train you for both and let the job market sort out which one you end up doing most. Here’s what a Connecticut forensic science education actually involves, from an undergraduate certificate through the master’s level, and what the pay and demand look like once you’re done.

Connecticut Forensic Science Programs to Contact

Featured Programs:

Connecticut’s Forensic Science Field: Demand and Lab Capacity

Connecticut’s crime labs went through a real modernization push in the mid-2010s, updating layout, equipment, and process to clear a backlog that had once left cases waiting one to two years for evidence processing (NH Register, 2016). Around the same period, local reporting also pointed to growing demand for cybersecurity and computer forensics specialists in the state (CT Post, 2016). Treat both as historical data points, not today’s numbers, but they’re part of why forensic hiring in Connecticut looks the way it does now.

With the right training and hands-on lab experience, you can be the person analyzing evidence, documenting it, and making sure it holds up when it’s used in court.

Forensic Science Education Options in Connecticut

Federal education data shows Connecticut’s two schools in this field reporting credentials from an undergraduate certificate through the master’s level, with no associate or doctoral credential listed for either school in this specific CIP family. Exact admission requirements and course sequencing vary by program, so confirm the specifics directly with each school’s own catalog before you apply.

Bachelor’s-Level Study

A bachelor’s is the entry-level credential most employers look for in this field, per BLS guidance for forensic science technicians. Programs in this discipline commonly include lab and internship coursework, which can give you practical, hands-on experience before you graduate, though it isn’t a guarantee of your first job. Course titles and requirements vary by school, so check Sacred Heart’s or the University of New Haven’s own program pages for specifics. Coursework commonly found at this level includes:

Forensic Biology
Criminalistics
Physical Investigation Methods
Criminal Justice Fundamentals
Crime Scene Investigation

Graduate-Level Study

Admission requirements for the graduate certificate and master’s credentials at these schools vary, so check each program’s site for exact prerequisites. Graduate coursework tends to go deeper into specialized lab techniques and case analysis, which can prepare you for more advanced lab roles. Whether you ever testify as an expert witness isn’t decided by your degree alone. Courts qualify expert witnesses case by case, based on knowledge, skill, experience, training, and education under the applicable rules of evidence. Coursework commonly found at this level includes:

Survey of Forensic Science
Forensic Expert Testimony
Physical Analysis in Forensic Science
Forensic DNA Analysis
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic Toxicology

What You Can Earn as a Forensic Science Professional in Connecticut

As of May 2025 BLS wage data, forensic science technicians in Connecticut earned a median of $85,910 a year, compared to $72,060 nationally. Connecticut’s Department of Labor projects an 11.6% increase in forensic science technician jobs between 2024 and 2034, with about 20 average annual openings statewide.

Some criminal investigators and detectives use forensic science training in their work, but hiring, promotion, and experience requirements for those roles vary a lot by Connecticut agency, and forensic science isn’t the typical educational path into them. As of May 2025 BLS data, Connecticut detectives and criminal investigators earned a median $95,240 a year, against a national median of $93,790. Connecticut’s Department of Labor projects 2.3% growth in this occupation from 2024 to 2034. The same 2024-34 ProjectionsCentral data shows a -0.7% national projection for the same occupation over the same period, so Connecticut’s outlook for this role runs counter to the national trend.

May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Forensic Science Technicians and Detectives and Criminal Investigators. 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.

Where to Study Forensic Science in Connecticut

Federal education data reports two Connecticut institutions offering a security-science-and-technology program, the broader federal reporting category that forensic science falls under. Confirm current enrollment, format, and admission requirements directly with each school before applying.

Institution	Location	Credential Levels Reported in CIP Family
Sacred Heart University	Fairfield, CT	Graduate certificate, Master’s
University of New Haven	West Haven, CT	Undergraduate certificate, Bachelor’s, Graduate certificate, 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 October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What degree do I need to become a forensic scientist in Connecticut?

Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, per BLS job descriptions. Exact degree and coursework requirements vary by employer and forensic discipline, so check with employers or programs directly for specifics.

Do I need a forensic science degree specifically, or will a general science degree work?

Many labs accept a biology, chemistry, or related science degree at the entry level. Forensic-specific programs may include additional coursework in evidence handling, chain of custody, and court testimony, though some general science programs cover similar ground through electives.

How much do forensic science technicians earn in Connecticut?

As of May 2025 BLS data, the median is $85,910 a year in Connecticut, compared to $72,060 nationally. Actual pay varies by employer, lab type, and experience.

Is forensic science the same job as a crime scene investigator?

Not exactly. Forensic science technicians often split time between the field and the lab, while some agencies have a separate crime scene investigator role that focuses mainly on scene processing. Job titles and duties vary a lot by department size and agency.

Which Connecticut schools offer forensic science programs?

Federal education data reports Sacred Heart University and the University of New Haven as the two Connecticut institutions in the Security Science and Technology CIP family, which includes forensic science, with credentials ranging from an undergraduate certificate through the master’s level.

Key Takeaways

Connecticut pays well above the national median – $85,910 versus $72,060 for forensic science technicians, per May 2025 BLS data
Connecticut projects 11.6% growth – for forensic science technician jobs through 2034, per ProjectionsCentral
Two in-state schools – Sacred Heart University and the University of New Haven both report credentials in this field, from certificate through master’s
The investigative track pays more but grows more slowly in-state – detectives and criminal investigators earn a higher Connecticut median ($95,240 versus $85,910), but Connecticut’s 2.3% projected growth compares to a -0.7% national projection for the same 2024-34 period

Not sure forensic science is the right fit yet? Confirm current program format, admission requirements, and course sequencing directly with Sacred Heart or the University of New Haven before you apply. Both schools can tell you more about lab access and internship placement than any national data set can.

Looking for a Forensic Science Program in Another State?

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