Forensic Science Degrees in Wisconsin

Updated October 2, 2026

Five Wisconsin institutions report programs in the Security Science and Technology CIP family that includes forensic science, per federal education data. Wisconsin employs about 310 forensic science technicians earning a median $72,280 a year, according to May 2025 BLS data, with 9.5% employment growth projected through 2034. Credential level and curriculum vary by school.

Forensic science work in Wisconsin spans the lab and the field, from DNA analysis to crime-scene evidence collection, and the specific duties depend on the employer and the position. Wisconsin’s newest crime lab, the Milwaukee Crime Lab, opened and earned national accreditation in 2026. Here’s what training looks like, what the job pays, and which Wisconsin schools report related programs.

Curious about how to become a forensics scientist?

Contact forensic science schools in Wisconsin to learn more.

With the state investing in new lab capacity, this is a practical time to compare Wisconsin’s forensic science programs.

Featured Programs:

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

Wisconsin’s new Milwaukee Crime Lab opened and earned national accreditation in July 2026, replacing the aging facility that had served the state since the 1980s (Wisconsin Department of Justice, 2026). The 70,000-square-foot lab sits inside a shared Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility and runs DNA testing, toxicology, and trace-evidence analysis for the southeastern part of the state.

A new facility is a real investment in the state’s forensic infrastructure—but it doesn’t by itself tell you how many people the state will hire, or when. Watch the Division of Forensic Sciences’ own postings for current openings.

What You’ll Study in a Wisconsin Forensic Science Program

Wisconsin has several paths into forensic-science-adjacent coursework, from a one-semester certificate to a full bachelor’s degree, and the length and content of each program is set by the individual school, not by a single statewide standard. Confirm the specific curriculum, course sequence, and credit requirements directly with any program you’re considering.

What a Certificate Program Might Cover

Course names and sequencing vary by school, but a criminalistics-focused certificate commonly includes topics like these nationally. Certificate programs in related fields commonly run one to three semesters. Confirm the actual length and curriculum with the program you’re considering.

Criminalistics: The field of criminalistics ties in directly with forensic science. In this class, you learn about the different scientific tests used to determine the outcome of a crime and lay out an accurate timeline of the crime.
Pharmacology: To be able to properly read toxicology reports, you must understand how alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescribed drugs work within the body. The focus of this course is pharmacological substances when used outside of their intended use.
Criminal Evidence and Investigation: Explore the process of investigating a crime to understand how forensic science fits into the field of criminal justice as a whole.
The Human Skeleton: This course provides you with an extensive understanding of the human body and its makeup, which allows you to more easily comprehend injuries or fatalities caused by crime.

What a Bachelor’s Program Might Cover

A four-year degree adds depth and lab hours, and bachelor’s programs nationally run roughly 120 credits. Confirm the exact credit total and course list with the specific school, since requirements vary.

Evidence Collection and Preservation: In the first hours after finding a crime scene, what you do really matters. Handling evidence carefully and preserving it appropriately ensures that it can be analyzed accurately and used in legal settings.
Investigative Photography: Discover important techniques for taking photographs of crime scenes, victims, and evidence.
Fingerprint Collection and Development: Fingerprints are extremely helpful for tying perpetrators to the scene of a crime. Learn how to lift prints from items, victims, and crime scenes.
Crime Scene Processing Techniques: Crime scene investigators use different methods and equipment to process crime scenes and save the evidence that can be found there. In this class, learn about the fundamentals of evidence collection and build your skill set of crime scene processing techniques.

Where to Study Forensic Science in Wisconsin

Five Wisconsin institutions report a program in the Security Science and Technology CIP family, the federal category that includes forensic science alongside adjacent fields like security science and computer forensics, per U.S. Department of Education data. The table below reports what each school told the Department of Education. Confirm current enrollment, the exact program title, and admission requirements directly with the school before applying.

Institution	City	Control	Credential Reported in CIP Family
Fox Valley Technical College	Appleton	Public	Associate’s Degree
Marian University	Fond du Lac	Private nonprofit	Bachelor’s Degree
Milwaukee Area Technical College	Milwaukee	Public	Undergraduate Certificate
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	Milwaukee	Public	Undergraduate Certificate
University of Wisconsin-Platteville	Platteville	Public	Bachelor’s Degree

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.

What Forensic Science Careers Pay in Wisconsin

Forensic science technicians work in state and local crime labs, and depending on the employer and position, duties can include laboratory analysis, crime-scene evidence collection, or both. Criminal investigators and detectives work the case end to end: interviews, surveillance, and following leads, under their own agency-specific hiring and training requirements, separate from a forensic science degree track.

Occupation	Wisconsin Median Salary	Wisconsin Employment Growth (2024-34)
Forensic Science Technicians	$72,280	+9.5%
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	$91,040	-1%

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 degree to work in forensic science in Wisconsin?

The BLS reports that forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or forensic science. Wisconsin’s technical colleges offer associate and certificate options in the related CIP family, but those credentials aren’t established as a standalone path into the forensic science technician role itself. Check with the specific agency or lab about what other evidence or crime-scene support positions require.

How much do forensic scientists make in Wisconsin?

Forensic science technicians in Wisconsin earn a median of $72,280 a year, according to May 2025 BLS data. Pay varies by lab, shift, and whether the role includes court testimony duties.

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

A forensic science technician’s duties can include lab analysis, crime-scene evidence collection, or both, depending on the employer. A criminal investigator, or detective, works the case directly: conducting interviews and following leads, under a separate set of agency-specific hiring and training requirements. Wisconsin’s median pay is $91,040 for investigators versus $72,280 for forensic science technicians (BLS, May 2025).

How long does a forensic science certificate or degree take?

Program length varies by school. Certificate programs in related fields commonly run one to three semesters nationally, and bachelor’s degrees typically take about four years. Confirm the specific timeline and credit requirements with the program you’re considering.

Is forensic science job growth strong in Wisconsin?

It depends on the role. Forensic science technician employment is projected to grow 9.5% in Wisconsin through 2034, a solid pace. Criminal investigator employment in the state is projected to decline by about 1% over the same period (ProjectionsCentral, 2024-34).

Key Takeaways

Wisconsin’s forensic science technician median wage is $72,280 a year – per May 2025 BLS data, with 9.5% employment growth projected through 2034
Five Wisconsin institutions report programs in the federal Security Science and Technology CIP family – from an undergraduate certificate at Milwaukee Area Technical College to bachelor’s programs at Marian University and UW-Platteville
Duties vary by employer and position – forensic science technician work can include lab analysis, crime-scene response, or both
Criminal investigator work is a separate career track – Wisconsin’s median pay is $91,040, against a projected 1% employment decline through 2034, with its own hiring and training requirements

Worried about paying for the degree? The scholarships guide lists awards built for criminal justice and forensic science students, 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.