Forensic Science Degrees in Missouri

Updated September 30, 2026

Five Missouri institutions reported programs in Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04), the federal program family that includes forensic science, per U.S. Department of Education data. Forensic Science Technicians in Missouri earn a median $62,750 a year (BLS, 2025), and the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor’s degree as the field’s typical entry-level education.

Forensic science pulled criminal justice out of the interrogation room and into the lab. Instead of leaning on a suspect’s confession, investigators now build a case from a timeline, a stain, and a chain of custody that holds up in court even when nobody talks.

Considering a forensic science major or graduate degree? Choosing a school is the first step.

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

Forensic science technicians aid investigations in two ways: at the crime scene, collecting and documenting evidence, and in the laboratory, analyzing it. Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the exact mix depends on the position. Some technicians work mostly in a lab, others spend real time in the field, and larger departments sometimes split the two roles entirely. Whichever side you end up on, you’ll eventually write the reports and testify about them in court.

Forensic Science Degrees in Missouri

Program length and credit requirements vary by school. An Associate’s degree is typically built around two years and 60 to 70 credits, while a Bachelor’s typically runs four years and about 120 credits. Some programs offer transfer credit toward a Bachelor’s for an earlier criminal justice degree. Confirm transfer policy directly with the program you’re considering.

Degree Level	Common Focus	What BLS Says
Associate’s	Introductory coursework in evidence handling and lab basics	May support some entry-level, lab-support roles depending on the employer, though not the standard hiring credential
Bachelor’s	Coursework in a natural science plus forensic-specific methods	BLS’s typical entry-level education for Forensic Science Technicians
Master’s	Specialized coursework (DNA analysis, toxicology, digital forensics)	Outcomes vary by program, discipline, and employer, not a guaranteed path to advancement

Course titles and requirements vary by school. Here’s an example lineup from a representative Associate’s program:

Associate’s-Level Forensic Science Classes

Forensic Chemistry: Core chemistry concepts applied to evidence analysis.
Forensic Biology: Techniques for analyzing and documenting biological evidence.
Psychopharmacology: How drugs affect behavior and physiology, background relevant to toxicology and drug-related casework.
Crime Scene Photography: Documenting a scene the way it has to be documented to hold up later, not just the way it looks.
Laws of Criminal Evidence: How evidence has to be collected, stored, and handled to stay admissible in court.
Bloodstain Evidence: Collecting and reading bloodstain patterns.

A representative Bachelor’s program builds on that with:

Bachelor’s-Level Forensic Investigation Coursework

Criminal Investigation: How the investigative process runs, and where forensic evidence fits into it.
Law, Ethics, and Testimony: Legal and ethical standards, plus what it takes to testify credibly in court.
Forensic Science Topics: A rotating seminar covering current developments in the field.
Murder to Trial: Following a homicide case from discovery through prosecution.
Instrumental Analysis: Hands-on training with lab equipment used to analyze evidence.

Where to Study Forensic Science Programs in Missouri

Five Missouri institutions reported a program in Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04) to the U.S. Department of Education, the federal program family that includes forensic science alongside general security science and computer/cyber forensics. Federal data doesn’t break out program names at that level of detail, so confirm each school’s current program title, delivery format, and admission requirements directly before applying. Scorecard entries can lag a school’s current catalog.

Institution	City	Control	Credential Levels Offered
Columbia College	Columbia	Private nonprofit	Bachelor’s, Undergraduate certificate
Saint Louis University	Saint Louis	Private nonprofit	Bachelor’s
University of Central Missouri	Warrensburg	Public	Bachelor’s
Missouri Western State University	Saint Joseph	Public	Master’s
Missouri State University–Springfield	Springfield	Public	Graduate certificate

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.

Working as a Forensic Scientist in Missouri

Missouri’s Bureau of Labor Statistics data covers two occupations relevant to this degree path: Forensic Science Technicians and Detectives and Criminal Investigators. As of the May 2025 BLS wage data, Missouri’s Forensic Science Technicians earn a median $62,750 a year. The work happens in the lab, at the crime scene, or both, depending on the position and employer. Job openings are projected to grow 12.7% between 2024 and 2034 (ProjectionsCentral), from roughly 440 to 500 positions statewide, with about 60 average annual openings.

Detective and Criminal Investigator is a separate, sworn law-enforcement career path, not a typical next step from a forensic science degree. As of the same May 2025 BLS wage data, Missouri’s Detectives and Criminal Investigators earn a median $75,650 a year. ProjectionsCentral puts growth at 1.5% through 2034, with 120 average annual openings statewide, slower and steadier than the forensic science technician track. Becoming a detective in Missouri starts with licensing as a peace officer through the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Program, which is separate from any forensic-science coursework. Whether a licensed officer later moves into an investigative unit is an agency-specific decision, not a guaranteed next step after licensing.

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-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a degree to work in forensic science in Missouri?

Requirements vary by employer and by position, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for Forensic Science Technicians nationally. Some evidence-technician or lab-support roles may accept less, depending on the agency. Check the specific job posting rather than assuming one standard requirement.

What’s the difference between a forensic science technician and a detective?

A Forensic Science Technician works with evidence, whether that’s in the lab, at the crime scene, or both, depending on the position, and writes up findings for use in an investigation. A Detective and Criminal Investigator runs the investigation itself: interviewing witnesses, coordinating leads, and building the case, sometimes using evidence a forensic science technician analyzed. They’re separate career paths with separate hiring processes.

How long does it take to become a forensic science technician in Missouri?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor’s degree, typically four years, as the standard entry-level education for Forensic Science Technicians. Some employers may consider an Associate’s degree for certain support roles, but requirements vary, so confirm the expectation for the specific position and agency you’re targeting. Once hired, expect additional employer- and discipline-specific training beyond your degree.

Are Missouri’s forensic science programs available online?

None of the five Missouri institutions identified in federal education data are flagged as distance-only overall, but that institution-level flag doesn’t tell you whether a specific forensic-related program is offered online. Confirm delivery format for the exact program you’re interested in directly with the school.

Key Takeaways

Five Missouri institutions reported a program in Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04), per U.S. Department of Education data, the federal category that includes forensic science alongside other security-related fields.
Forensic Science Technicians earn a median $62,750 in Missouri (BLS, 2025), with 12.7% projected growth through 2034 (ProjectionsCentral).
BLS identifies a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for Forensic Science Technicians. Individual Missouri employers may set different requirements for specific roles.

Worried about paying for the degree? The scholarships guide lists awards built for criminal justice majors, with eligibility, amounts, and deadlines.

Read: Scholarships for Criminal Justice Majors and Grad Students

Looking for Forensic Science Programs in Another State?

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