8 Best Online Bachelor’s in Forensic Science Degree Programs

About

Arizona State University was founded in Tempe, Arizona, in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School.

ASU offers 393 undergraduate and graduate degrees, serving over 100,000 students.

The over 300+ online programs are taught by on-campus faculty.

Courses Offered

ASU Online offers a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science.

The four-year degree requires 120 credit hours for completion and provides a strong foundation in science and analysis.

The degree offers a general program as well as a specialization in Death Investigations, with a focus on crime scene investigations.

The syllabus of the 40-course degree lists:

• Biology and Chemistry
• Fundamentals of Genetics
• Forensic Science
• Statistics
• Testimony and Ethics

ASU Online provides students with ongoing IT support.

Full-time (12 credits per semester) resident tuition is $6,767 per semester.

This does not include student fees, books, housing, or course-specific requirements.

Financial Aid and scholarship applications are considered for all online programs.

About

Phoenix, Arizona, is home to the private faith-based Grand Canyon University (GCU).

Over 125,000 students attend GCU both on campus and online, seeking degrees in over 349 areas of study across nine colleges.

GCU provides education in health, STEM, art and humanities, and criminal justice.

Courses Offered

Grand Canyon University offers a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science.

Graduates with this degree are qualified to work as:

• Crime scene investigators
• Laboratory, Firearms, or DNA Analysts
• Toxicology, Autopsy, and Drug Analysts
• Latent Fingerprint Analysts

The program is 100% online and requires 120 credit hours, ending with a Capstone project for graduation.

A few of the courses listed include:

• Critical Analysis in Forensics
• Forensic Photography
• STEM Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry
• Crime Scene Processing with hands-on lab
• DNA Analysis

Online undergraduate programs are roughly $11,600 per semester.

Estimates do not include books, general fees, or housing. Specific degree paths may incur additional costs.

However, GCU has no application fee.

Financial Aid (FAFSA) and grants are considered for eligible students.

About

American Intercontinental University (AIU) is an accredited institution providing on-campus education in Atlanta and Houston.

More than 29 degree programs are also accessible online. Currently, AIU’s enrollment is roughly 11,000 students.

Courses Offered

The American Intercontinental University, Bachelor of Forensic Science, is part of the College of Criminal Justice.

The program combines studies in crime science, the U.S. Legal system, and forensic science.

It consists of 180 credit hours.

Each online course is 5 weeks long.

After completing general education courses, students can choose from core studies, including:

• American Court System
• Evidence
• Criminal Investigation
• Research Methods and Statistics
• Psychopathology and Criminality
• Capstone Project

Online students are provided with laptops and 24/7 technical support.

The total tuition for the online forensic science degree pathway is $65,110 or $345 per credit hour.

General college fees may also apply.

Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid and grants.

About

A private, accredited institution, Columbia Southern University (CSU), is based on the Alabama Gulf Coast, in Orange Beach.

Founded in 1993, CSU ranks in the top 2% with the highest online student enrollment.

Over 15,950 students are enrolled at CSU worldwide.

Courses Offered

The CSU Bachelor of Science in Forensic Investigation program focuses on the evidence of forensic science and its relation to the judicial system.

Offered completely online, the program is flexible and asynchronous, where courses are available 24/7.

The degree requires the completion of 120 hours of general education and forensic science credits, ending in a Capstone project.

The syllabus lists forensic science courses, including:

• Court Security
• Criminal Evidence and Legal Issues
• Crime Scene, Forensics, and Evidence Collection
• Introduction to Forensic Investigation
• Digital Forensics and the Courtroom

Tuition for the degree is $279 per credit hour, and textbooks are included in the cost.

General college fees and additional degree-specific expenses are extra.

Loans, work-study programs, and financial aid are available to defray costs.

The university also accepts up to 90 hours of transfer credit.

About

Florida International University (FIU), with its main campus in Westchester, was founded in 1965.

The first classes started in 1972.

FIU established its online offerings in 1998.

Currently, Florida International University serves over 54,000 students.

Courses Offered

Florida International University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Crime Science through the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs.

This unique program combines forensics, computer science, and criminology.

The Bachelor of Science is taught in a semester format with classes starting in the fall, summer, and spring.

Each online student is matched with a success coach for academic and collegiate achievement.

The 120-hour degree pathway is part general education and part crime science courses, such as:

• Crime Theory
• Criminal Evidence
• Crime Scene Investigations
• Survey of Forensic Science and Laboratory
• Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
• Capstone Project (required)

The Bachelor of Science in Crime Science is eligible as an accelerated program for a combined BSCS/Master of Public Administration.

Tuition at Florida International University is $235.57 per credit hour for in-state and $648 for non-resident students.

Additional fees apply to all online programs.

Students are encouraged to apply for both federal and state tuition assistance.

Active military and veterans are offered discounted tuition.

About

The main campus of Keiser University (KU) is in Clearwater, Florida.

This location is one of 24 in-person and online campuses throughout Florida.

There are also international campuses located in China and Nicaragua, and one Spanish-language campus.

Courses Offered

Keiser University (KU) features an online Bachelor of Science in Digital Forensics and Incident Response, preparing individuals for entry-level positions in forensic laboratories and law enforcement.

Students must undergo a Level 2 criminal background check for admission to the program.

The 120-hour pathway begins with general education studies.

Major-specific courses involve:

• Fundamentals of Forensic Anthropology
• Forensic Biology and Chemistry
• Medico-Legal Death Investigation
• Advanced Legal Procedure and Evidence
• Criminology

Completion of an Externship and a Capstone project is required for graduation.

The annual tuition for a full-time student seeking a Kaiser Bachelor of Science is $22,936.

A few programs incur additional costs.

The university accepts all types of Federal and State financial aid programs.

About

ECPI University (ECPIU) began in 1966, teaching market-based curriculum and skills.

Continually growing, ECPIU has expanded from Culinary Science to graduate degrees in information technology and criminal justice.

Currently, over 6,000 students are enrolled on campus and online.

Courses Offered

Available 100% online, the online Bachelor of Science in Digital Forensics at ECPIU focuses on digital evidence and cybercrime investigations.

Administered by the College of Criminal Justice, the degree is offered 100%.

It offers both theoretical, practical, and hands-on learning experiences, and has a 2.5-year estimated completion time for the 120-hour degree.

Careers in Digital Forensics include:

• Digital Forensic Examiner
• Cyber Risk Manager
• Information Security Analyst
• Intelligence Investigator

In addition to general education, the forensic studies at ECPIU include:

• Principles of Communication
• Mobile Device Forensics
• Principles of Cybersecurity
• Computer Configuration I
• Digital Forensic Analysis
• Capstone Project

The BS degree in Digital Forensics costs $7,848 per semester.

ECPIU accepts numerous financial aid programs such as FAFSA, FSEOG, PLUS, and Pell Grants.

The university also assists in organizing veteran and military programs and even work-study options.

About

Originally named Colorado Agricultural College in 1870, Colorado State University (CSU) was renamed in 1957.

Led by Cam the Ram and sporting school colors of White and Gold, CSU Global, based in Denver, is a top 10-ranked university serving 34,200 students.

Courses Offered

The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Investigation (BSFI) at Colorado State University Global combines criminal justice principles with forensic science.

This expands career opportunities and possibilities for advanced learning.

The Bachelor of Science pathway is 120 credit hours.

To accommodate students, CSU Global has monthly start dates.

The BSFI degree is divided into general education, such as English and the humanities, and core forensic courses, which include:

• Laws of Evidence
• Criminal Justice and the Constitution
• Ethics for the Criminal Justice Professional
• Criminology
• STEM Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

CSU Global offers on-demand support services and career success counselors to ensure positive outcomes.

Full-time tuition costs $12,896 per semester or $375 per credit hour. Additional