What is Forensic Science?

CSI degrees will prepare you to become a crime scene investigator, sometimes referred to as a forensic scientist. CSIs use science to help locate criminals and examine the proof against them. Forensic evidence can be the most important piece during a criminal trial, and CSIs are sometimes asked to serve as expert witnesses. Most crime scene investigators will specialize in a single area. Specializations include DNA analysis and firearm examination, just to name a few.

What to Expect

When searching the countless number of CSI degrees, it is important to take a careful look at accreditation. There are many online programs accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Science. The type of coursework will vary by program and institution, but programs will generally concentrate on math and science. Courses include calculus, chemistry, biology, and physics. In addition, programs require students to focus on courses specific to forensics, such as forensic microscopy, criminal evidence, and courtroom testimony.

Career Potential

The crime scene investigator career was largely unheard of before the show CSI. The popularity has tightened the job market some, but there is still an increasing need for highly specialized professionals in this field. There is a number of different facets to the forensic science field. Therefore, most graduates will choose to specialize in one area, such as car accidents, corpses, and general crime scene investigation. CSI degrees will prepare you to work in many different environments, such as coroner offices, hospitals, universities, police departments, and independent labs.

Salary Potential

With the number of different specialties in the career field, it is difficult to determine the actual salary graduates with CSI degrees can expect. As with all industries, the more experience a person has, the higher the salary will be. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that on average an experienced CSI may earn between $40,000 and $85,000 a year. With a PhD, graduates can become lab directors and earn more than $100,000 a year.

If you are looking for an exciting career using science to help identify criminals and solve unanswered questions in crime, a degree in crime scene investigation may be able to help you with your goals. There are many online programs available that will allow you to earn your degree with minimal disruption to your life and work commitments.

What are CSI degrees? These are crime scene investigation degrees. They are also called forensics degrees. There are many levels of education offered for those interested in a CSI degree. There are certificate programs, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees. There are even CSI degrees that cater to those who want to earn a graduate degree in this field and become an expert in forensic investigation.

When you study one of these CSI degrees, you will learn proper collection and analysis of physical evidence from crime scenes. You will also be trained on how to store such evidence properly. With a crime scene or forensics degree, you will also learn how to make reports, cooperate with detectives, lawyers, and police officers, and how to testify in court regarding your findings.

Some of the courses that will be taught in these CSI degrees are biology, criminology, computer forensics, toxicology, and many others. With a successful training, you can be part of an investigating team that can help crack cases as heinous as murders. Of course, you can also help in the investigation of theft, kidnapping, and many others crimes.

Upon graduating with this degree and finding work as an forensic technician, you can stand to earn a media salary of $47,680 a year. Of course, you can also earn as much as more than $75,000 if you work for the federal government.

• Champlain College was founded 1878
• Champlain’s campus is located in Burlington, VT overlooking Lake Champlain
• Ranked in the Top 20 Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the North (U.S. News America’s Best Colleges 2008)
• Regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• Liberal Arts Curriculum
• Internship opportunities available to provide real-life experience
• Enroll in fast-track courses and complete a class in as little as 7 weeks

Want to learn more? Take 2 minutes and get the info you need (pre-reqs, term start dates, etc.) from Champlain College – Burlington, VT.

About Champlain College, VT

Established in 1878, Champlain College is both steeped in history and a national leader in higher education. Champlain College is located in the quaint downtown Burlington, Vermont just minutes from Lake Champlain and an hour drive from some of the best ski slopes in that part of the country. Students live in residence halls, many of which are restored Victorian-era mansions. The long-standing college prides itself on incorporating several core values into its programs including: innovation, entrepreneurship, technological expertise and the human touch.

Champlain College VT is dedicated to challenging and preparing students for a successful career and life. Champlain College Online Programs Champlain College Online offers several bachelor and master degrees online so students can get the same high quality education Champlain College VT is known for without a campus commute. Champlain College’s online master’s degree programs give working professionals the opportunity to advance their careers.

The university integrates its philosophy to help every student succeed in its online programs offering top-notch instruction and highly-rated curriculum. Champlain Online is a great opportunity for students to become a part of the respected and reputable Champlain College community.

In addition to offering high-quality degree programs, Champlain College Online also offers accelerated fast-track programs. According to the school’s website, you can enroll in accelerated classes and complete a course in as few as seven weeks. Interested? Take 2 minutes and get the complete scoop from Champlain College Online.

Champlain College Online Degrees:

• Accounting
• Computer & Software Engineering
• Software Development
• Information Technology
• Computer and Digital Forensics
• Business Administration
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Masters in Information Technology
• Masters in Managing Innovation & Information Technology

Credit for Life Experience

Champlain College Online offers credit for life experience through portfolio assessments, other credentials, exams such as CLEP, course challenge exams, and military experience. Need more information? Start here:  Champlain College, Burlington, VT

Source: University website, 2009.

• Franklin University was established in 1902
• At the time of this post, Franklin offers the best tuition prices of any independent university in Ohio (and among the best 10% in nation)
• Accelerated online degree programs with 3 week, 6 week, 7 week, or 12 week courses
• 75% of Franklin University students receive some type of financial aid assistance (very nice!)
• Franklin University is regionally accredited

Interested? Get more information about the degree program of your choice: Franklin University Online Accelerated Degree Programs.

Not everyone can spare a whole 4 years to earn a degree. When you’re a full-time employee or a full-time parent, your schedule doesn’t allow for such things to be put aside in order to pursue a higher level of education. Fortunately, that’s where Franklin University can help you achieve an online accelerated college degree.

Franklin University Online History

Franklin University was originally established in 1902, and now has a student base of over 10,000, ranging in all ages from 18-71. It currently has 4 physical locations in Ohio, and now they also have their “virtual campus” for Franklin University Online.  Looking at the average age of the students at Franklin University, you will find that a majority of the students are actually adults, with the average undergraduate at 32 years while the graduate students average around 36 years of age.

Franklin University also boasts the best price for an independent school in Ohio, and among the 10% lowest in the country with an assortment of financial aid options. Tuition is about $280 per credit hour for undergraduate courses, which is certainly less expensive than many other online universities, and graduate is about $450 per credit hour. (As of fall 2008 semester)

For anyone wishing to earn their online accelerated college degree, Franklin University Online offers the following programs:

Franklin University Undergraduate Majors (Accelerated degrees available)

• Accounting
• Applied Management
• Business Administration
• Business Forensics
• Computer Science
• eMarketing
• Financial Management
• Forensic Accounting
• Healthcare Management
• Human Resources Management
• Information Technology
• Management
• Management Information Sciences
• Marketing
• Public Safety Management
• Web Development

Franklin University Graduate Program

• Vantage MBA^®

The Accelerated Learning Program (or ALP) provides many of the courses necessary to complete your degree in 3 week, 6 week, 7 week, or 12 week courses. For the fall 2008 semester, many of the 3-week courses are communication based whereas the 6 week courses are more geared towards accounting and management. The longer classes (7 week & 12 week courses) cover a majority of the majors. However, regardless of which length of course you take, be assured that it will help you towards achieving your accelerated online college degree.

Learn more about Franklin University Online Accelerated Degrees Online.

Source: University website, 2009.