Forensic Science Schools in Texas: Degrees, Salary & Programs

Updated October 1, 2026

Texas has eight institutions reporting a program in the security-science-and-technology CIP family, which includes forensic science, per federal education data—from an associate degree at Tyler Junior College to a master’s at Sam Houston State and Texas Tech. Forensic science technicians across the state earn a median $59,870 a year (BLS, 2025), with employment projected to grow 18.5% through 2034 (ProjectionsCentral).

A forensic science technician’s job starts where the TV show ends: the scene is already roped off, the body’s already gone, and what’s left is hours of photographing, swabbing, and labeling evidence. How that evidence is handled can affect whether it holds up as admissible and how a case gets prosecuted later. Texas handles this work through a mix of public universities and private programs, not through a single flagship school. Here’s where those programs are, what they commonly teach, and what the state actually pays once you’re hired.

See which Texas schools are accepting applications for forensic science programs below.

Featured Programs:

What Can You Do with a Forensic Science Degree in Texas?

Forensic science technicians work both in the lab and at the scene: collecting and preserving physical evidence, running comparisons on prints, fibers, and biological samples, and documenting findings that attorneys and investigators rely on later. Some technicians work for a city or county crime lab, others for the Texas Department of Public Safety, and some specialize in a single discipline, like toxicology or firearms examination, rather than general casework.

Forensic Science Degree Options in Texas

Forensic science programs run from a one-year certificate through a research-focused master’s, though exact timelines, credit totals, and admission requirements vary by school. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, though some employers accept an associate degree or relevant lab experience for entry-level roles. Check a specific program’s catalog and your target employer’s posting before assuming a credential will qualify you.

Certificate in Crime Scene Investigation

A certificate program is often a shorter alternative to an associate degree, skipping the general-education requirements. Programs like this one commonly include courses such as:

Forensic Photography
Latent Print Processing
Courtroom Testimony
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Associate Degree Coursework

An associate degree typically takes about two years and adds general-education requirements on top of the forensic science core. Course titles and credit requirements vary by school; examples include:

Police Systems and Practices
Criminal Investigation
Criminalistics
Crime Scene Investigation

Bachelor’s Degree Coursework

A bachelor’s degree typically takes about four years from a standing start. Transfer students may finish sooner, depending on how many credits the receiving program accepts. Credit totals and the split between general education and major coursework vary by institution. Example coursework includes:

Forensic Soil Science
Biotechnology and Forensics
Applied Forensic Entomology
Latent Print Processing

Master’s Degree Coursework

A master’s degree generally targets research or leadership roles. Length, credit requirements, and admission criteria (GPA minimums, relevant experience) vary by program, so check with the specific school you’re considering. Example graduate coursework includes:

Controlled Substance Analysis
Law and Forensic Science
Pattern and Physical Evidence Concepts
Forensic Instrumental Analysis

Forensic Science Schools in Texas

Per federal education data, eight Texas institutions report a program in the security-science-and-technology CIP family, which includes forensic science:

Institution	City	Type	Credential Reported in CIP Family
Howard Payne University	Brownwood	Private nonprofit	Bachelor’s
Saint Edward’s University	Austin	Private nonprofit	Bachelor’s
Sam Houston State University	Huntsville	Public	Master’s
St. Mary’s University	San Antonio	Private nonprofit	Bachelor’s
Texas A&M University-College Station	College Station	Public	Bachelor’s
Texas Tech University	Lubbock	Public	Master’s
The University of Texas at El Paso	El Paso	Public	Bachelor’s
Tyler Junior College	Tyler	Public	Associate

This reflects a broad federal CIP grouping, not necessarily a degree titled “Forensic Science,” and it is not a current course catalog. Confirm program title, credential, and admission requirements directly with any school before you apply.

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.

Working as a Forensic Scientist in Texas

If you want hands-on lab and field work, forensic science technician is the role most of these programs are built for. As of the 2025 BLS wage data, Texas forensic science technicians earn a median $59,870 a year, and the U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored ProjectionsCentral projects employment to grow 18.5% in Texas through 2034, a stronger outlook than most entry-level lab work gets.

Criminal investigator is a different path. Many law-enforcement investigators gain experience in patrol or another assignment first, though career paths and promotion requirements vary by agency. Texas criminal investigators earn a median $90,510 a year (BLS, 2025), and ProjectionsCentral projects employment to grow 6.3% in the state through 2034.

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 October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a four-year degree to become a forensic science technician in Texas?

Not necessarily, though BLS reports that most crime labs look for at least a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree or certificate can get you into entry-level technician or crime-scene-support roles at some Texas agencies. Check the specific lab’s posting, since requirements vary by employer.

How long does a forensic science degree take in Texas?

Timelines vary by program, but a certificate commonly takes about a year, an associate degree about two years, and a bachelor’s about four years from a standing start. Transfer students may finish a bachelor’s sooner, depending on how many credits the program accepts. A master’s typically adds another two to three years.

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

A forensic science technician works the physical evidence: photographing, collecting, and testing it in a lab. A criminal investigator works the case itself, interviewing witnesses and building the file. Many investigators gain experience in patrol or another assignment first, though requirements vary by agency.

Which Texas schools report forensic-science-related programs?

Per federal education data, eight Texas institutions report a program in the security-science-and-technology CIP family, which includes forensic science, among them Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University-College Station, Texas Tech University, and Tyler Junior College. Confirm current enrollment, program title, and admission requirements directly with each school before applying.

Key Takeaways

Eight Texas institutions – report a program in the security-science-and-technology CIP family, which includes forensic science, per federal education data, from an associate at Tyler Junior College to a master’s at Sam Houston State and Texas Tech
Forensic science technician is a common entry point – BLS reports a typical bachelor’s requirement, though some employers accept less; median salary is $59,870 with employment projected to grow 18.5% through 2034
Criminal investigator often follows patrol experience – though requirements vary by agency; median salary is $90,510 with employment projected to grow 6.3% through 2034
Program length and admission requirements vary by school – confirm current catalog details, credit totals, and prerequisites directly with any program you’re considering

If you’re ready to compare specific program costs and admission requirements, the sponsored school listings above cover application details these program pages don’t, and the state-by-state finder below lets you check how Texas stacks up against a program closer to home.

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