Forensic Science Degree Programs in Georgia

Updated October 1, 2026

Georgia reports three public institutions offering a program in the security-science-and-technology family, the federal category that includes forensic science, from a certificate to a bachelor’s. Forensic science technicians here earned a median $63,600 in 2025 per BLS data, though most employers require at least a bachelor’s degree to work in the field.

Just as a crime scene only tells its story to someone trained to read it, a forensic science career starts in the classroom, not on the street. You’re not training to carry a badge or make an arrest. You’re training to process evidence correctly enough that it holds up in court months or years later. Georgia has a small set of programs reported under the federal category that covers this field. Here’s what the degree pathway typically requires, what forensic science technicians earn in Georgia today, and where federal data shows you can study it.

Featured Programs:

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

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Division of Forensic Sciences is a major forensic laboratory system in Georgia, running ballistics, toxicology, trace evidence, and DNA analysis for agencies across the state. Entry-level techs process evidence in the lab. More experienced techs get called into court to testify about what that evidence actually shows.

Forensic science technicians generally don’t carry a badge or make an arrest, though exact duties and status vary by employer. Their work builds the evidence chain that a detective’s case can depend on.

Forensic Science Degrees in Georgia

Most employers, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, want at least a bachelor’s degree to work as a forensic science technician, though exact requirements, preferred majors, and certifications vary by employer and specialty area. A certificate or associate-level program can still give you useful groundwork, but it’s a stepping stone, not a credential that alone qualifies you for lab work.

The course lists below are illustrative examples of what programs at each level commonly cover. They’re not the confirmed current curriculum at any specific Georgia school, so compare admissions requirements, current program titles, and course sequencing directly with each school before you apply.

Example Certificate-Level Coursework

Introduction to Forensic Science
Crime Scene Investigation
Documentation and Report Preparation
Case Preparation and Courtroom Testimony

Example Associate-Level Coursework

Human Behavior in Criminal Justice
Criminal Investigation
Crime Scene Evidence
Basic Fingerprinting
Biotechnology Methods and Applications

A bachelor’s program is the credential most employers in this field ask for, and timelines and total credits vary by institution. Some programs include an internship or practicum. Where available, hands-on evidence-handling experience can add real-world practice to a resume, though its effect on any specific hiring decision will depend on the employer.

Example Bachelor’s-Level Coursework

Technical Writing in Criminal Justice
Research Methods and Statistical Analysis in Criminal Justice
Criminal Forensics
Drug Identification and Investigation
Death Investigation
Criminal Typologies

The federal CIP-family data reviewed here doesn’t show a Georgia institution with a graduate-level program in the security-science-and-technology family. That’s what this dataset shows, not proof there’s no related graduate option classified under a different federal code. Check directly with any school you’re considering if a graduate credential matters to you.

Where to Study Forensic Science in Georgia

Three Georgia institutions report a program within the security-science-and-technology CIP family, the U.S. Department of Education category that includes forensic science, per this federal data:

Institution	City	Credential Offered	Type
Atlanta Technical College	Atlanta	Undergraduate certificate	Public, 2-year
Southern Crescent Technical College	Griffin	Associate degree	Public, 2-year
Savannah State University	Savannah	Bachelor’s degree	Public, 4-year

Savannah State is the school this federal dataset reports at the bachelor’s level in this CIP family. It might not be the only Georgia school with forensic-science-adjacent coursework classified under a different federal code. Confirm current enrollment, exact program title, course sequencing, and admission requirements directly with each school before you apply.

Working as a Forensic Science Technician in Georgia

A practicum or internship, where available, offers hands-on experience handling real evidence and can add practical experience to your resume.

As of May 2025 BLS wage data, forensic science technicians in Georgia earn a median $63,600 a year, with about 550 technicians employed statewide. That median sits between the 25th percentile ($48,810) and 75th percentile ($75,390). Where you land in that range depends on your specific employer, role, and experience level.

The field is also growing faster here than in most CJ occupations: Georgia is projected to add about 60 forensic science technician jobs between 2024 and 2034, a 12.1% increase, with roughly 80 annual openings statewide once replacement hiring is factored in.

May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for 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 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

What degree do I need to become a forensic science technician in Georgia?

Most employers, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, want at least a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, criminal justice, biology, chemistry, or a related science field. Exact requirements, preferred majors, and certifications vary by employer and specialty area, so confirm specifics with any agency or lab you’re applying to.

Does the Georgia Bureau of Investigation require a specific degree?

Requirements vary by position within the Division of Forensic Sciences. Entry-level lab roles typically ask for a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or forensic science field. Check the specific job posting before you plan your coursework around it, since requirements shift by specialty area (toxicology, DNA, firearms, and so on).

How much do forensic science technicians make in Georgia?

As of May 2025 BLS wage data, the median is $63,600 a year statewide, with the middle half of earners making between $48,810 and $75,390. Exact pay depends on your specific employer and role.

Can I study forensic science online in Georgia?

Georgia’s own in-state programs listed here aren’t distance-only, per federal education data. If an online format matters to you, ask each school directly whether their coursework is offered remotely, since course delivery can change between terms.

Key Takeaways

Three Georgia institutions report a program in this CIP family – the federal category that includes forensic science, from a certificate at Atlanta Technical College to a bachelor’s at Savannah State University
Most employers want a bachelor’s degree – per BLS, a certificate or associate credential alone typically isn’t enough for lab work
GBI runs a major forensic lab system in Georgia – its Division of Forensic Sciences covers ballistics, toxicology, trace evidence, and DNA analysis statewide
Pay is solid and the field is growing – a $63,600 median as of May 2025, with 12.1% projected growth through 2034

Curious how Georgia’s programs stack up elsewhere? The full guide compares forensic science degree options and training paths across every state.

Read: Compare Forensic Scientist Schools & Training Programs

Looking for a Forensic Science Program in Another State?

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