Forensic Science Degree Programs in Georgia
If you’ve ever considered beginning or advancing your career in the field of criminal justice, you may have investigated a number of areas of study. Some areas of specialty span the various goals of the criminal justice system; forensic science is one of those fields.
The findings gathered from forensic evidence are used to ensure that correctional facilities have the right offenders, help law enforcement officers solve crimes, and streamline the legal process in the courtroom.
Are you ready to build your understanding of forensic science and use your knowledge to jumpstart a new career?
Learn more about how to become a forensic scientist by contacting Georgia programs below.
What Can I Do with a Forensic Science Degree in Georgia?
With a background in forensic science, you may open the door to many exciting career opportunities. Within Georgia, one of the largest agencies in this field is the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Specifically, the Division of Forensic sciences conducts research, tests the applications of forensic science, and stays on top of new technology as it becomes available.
You may be an intermediary between different specialties in the field of criminal justice, ensuring that all different departments have the tools they need to bring about justice and protect the people of Georgia.
Forensic Science Degrees in Georgia
Choosing the right forensic science Georgia program is a key part of getting as much knowledge as possible while exploring your career options. While looking into different schools, you can compare their admissions requirements and learning outcomes to decide which program may fit into your long-term career goals.
A certificate of credit may be a time-efficient way to further your education and take your criminal justice career to the next level. A technical certificate of credit is ideal for those without any postsecondary education since it only requires a high school diploma or GED. These programs may focus on the practical, hands-on skills needed in forensic science career paths.
Certificate of Credit in Crime Scene Technician
- Introduction to Forensic Science
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Documentation and Report Preparation
- Case Preparation and Courtroom Testimony
While a certificate often requires less than one year of study, you may be able to earn an associate degree in forensic science in about two years. A forensic science degree combines coursework in general academic subjects, like mathematics, history, and social sciences, with more focused coursework in forensic science.
This type of program may give you the freedom to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the future.
Associate-Level Forensic Science Technology Coursework
- Human Behavior in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Investigation
- Crime Scene Evidence
- Basic Fingerprinting
- Biotechnology Methods and Applications
An undergraduate degree is an excellent option for students who want to study the field of forensic science in greater detail. This four-year degree includes between 120 and 140 credits, so you may be able to graduate in four to five years.
Like associate-level programs, this degree includes a substantial amount of general education coursework. You may be required to complete an internship prior to graduation.
However, even if a school does not require an internship, you may still want to set aside time in your schedule for a semester-long internship. This experience is invaluable for your knowledge of the forensic science industry.
Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a Forensic Science Concentration
- Technical Writing in Criminal Justice
- Research Methods and Statistical Analysis in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Forensics
- Drug Identification and Investigation
- Death Investigation
- Criminal Typologies
After earning a bachelor’s degree, you may be interested in taking your education to the post-bachelor’s level. A graduate degree involves approximately two years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree level. Depending on the program you choose, you may earn between 30 and 40 credits.
Graduate Courses in Forensic Psychology
- Psychology of Criminal Behavior
- Psychology and the Legal System
- Maladaptive Behavior and Psychopathology
- Professional and Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychology
- Forensic Psychological Assessment
This is the time to find out how you can use your criminal justice background to make Georgia safer.
Request information from forensic science schools below to get started.
Working as a Forensic Scientist in Georgia
If you use your years in school well, your career may already be underway by the time you graduate. You should use your student years to complete a practicum or go through an internship, either of which can help you get your feet wet in the field of forensic science and impress potential employers.
One popular option is working in a crime laboratory as a forensic science technician. This may involve communicating with law enforcement officers, criminal investigators, and others who encounter crime scenes and solve crimes.
In Georgia, forensic science technicians claim an average annual salary of $47,680 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). From 2016 through 2026, job openings for forensic science technicians may swell 18% (O*Net, 2017).
You may be interested in working in a law enforcement setting, particularly if you like being out in the community and responding to crime reports as they come in. The average income for a Georgia criminal investigator is $66,130 per year (BLS, 2017). O*Net expects job openings to swell 9% through the year 2026 (2017).
Within each Georgia county, and in many mid-sized to large cities and communities, there are coroners who respond to death reports to promptly analyze and process bodies. If you prefer the scientific aspect of forensic evidence and you work well in a solitary environment, you may thrive as a coroner. Coroners report an average salary of $62,350 per year (BLS, 2017). By the year 2026, job openings for coroners may jump 12% throughout Georgia (O*Net, 2017).
Job demands may vary quite a bit, depending on which part of Georgia you work in. If you live in a large city like Savannah or Augusta, you may see a greater number of crimes, but you may also be part of a larger team that can accommodate this volume of work. In a rural area, crimes may be fewer and farther between, but you may be expected to do a larger percentage of the work on your own.
Check out the different degree options in Georgia.
Use the list of schools below to contact forensic science programs that interest you.
