Accelerated Degree Programs

The demand for CSI degrees is on the rise, mostly due the recent popularity of the field. Television shows like CSI and NCIS have put crime scene investigators at the head of all the justice type career paths. This is causing the field to be very difficult for graduates to enter.

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.