Forensic Science Programs in New York

If you’ve ever considered a career in forensic science, this may be your chance to learn more and start your journey.

Learn more by reaching out to forensic science New York programs on this page.

What Can I Do with a Forensic Science Degree in New York?

While many people think of New York City as a city that is full of crime, NYC is actually known for having extremely low crime rates (New York Post, 2017). This phenomenon can be attributed to a number of factors. Strong law enforcement departments are clearly important, but so is the timely and accurate solving of the crimes that do occur.

That’s where forensic science professionals come in; their experience and theoretical knowledge of this field allow investigators to solve crimes more quickly and accurately.

Forensic Science Degrees in New York

So, you’ve decided to learn more about forensic science programs in New York and earn a degree that may get you closer to your professional goals.

What’s next…?

The first step is figuring out which schools fit your educational and professional needs. With associate-level, bachelor-level, and graduate-level forensic science programs, you may choose a degree program that aligns with your current level of education and work experience. You may also be able to choose from a variety of specialties within forensic science, such as forensic mental health counseling, forensic accounting, and computer forensics.

Earning an associate degree in forensic accounting may help you develop the skills you need to analyze financial documents, look for evidence of wrongdoing, and either corroborate or disprove a suspect’s alibi. Plan on spending two years in school to earn an associate degree.

Associate’s-Level Forensic Accounting Classes

• Accounting Principles
• Macroeconomics
• Analysis of Financial Documents

At the bachelor degree level, you may be able to study forensic science or computer forensics. The field of computer forensics uses forensic science principles to uncover evidence on devices like phones, tablets, vehicles, and computers. The evidence you gather may be used to prove suspects’ innocence or to highlight the shady activity of perpetrators.

Every bachelor’s program requires at least 120 credits, but several New York schools require between 130 and 140 credits. This should take you about four years of full-time study. Try to make space in your schedule for an internship, which may offer you indispensable experience and put you in contact with local leaders in your industry.

Bachelor’s Degree Coursework in Computer Forensics

• Law and Criminal Justice
• Databases for Digital Forensics
• Forensic Accounting and Fraud Detection
• Computer Forensics

Graduate students of forensic science may choose to learn about the processes of evidence collection and analysis, or they may go into the field of forensic mental health counseling.

With a degree in this field, you may learn how perpetrators’ mental illness or substance abuse may lead them to the decision to commit crime. Mental health counseling services may make the difference between successful rehabilitation or recidivism for New York perpetrators.

You must have a bachelor’s degree before being accepted to a graduate-level forensic science program. Once you start your education in a graduate program, you may graduate in about two years with a master’s in forensic science.

Graduate Courses in Forensic Mental Health

• Psychopathology
• Forensic Mental Health Counseling
• Counseling and Psychotherapy Methods
• Group Dynamics and Treatment

Forensic science programs in New York may help you get started in one of the industry’s fastest growing specialties.

Get more information on pursuing a forensic science major or graduate degree by contacting schools today.

Working as a Forensic Scientist in New York

As forensic science has become a more widely respected and understood field, the need for professionals with high-level training in this specialty has increased. The information you gain during a forensic science degree may be applicable in a number of career paths and work settings, so spend some time comparing options as you approach graduation.

If you do an internship as a student, you may want to look at job openings at your internship site. You could also contact your supervisors and use your connections to learn about job openings in your community.

Quite a few forensic science graduates choose to use their education in the laboratory. Crime labs and research facilities across New York rely on forensic science technicians to collect, process, and analyze evidence. The specialized knowledge you have from your education can also help you store evidence properly for use in court cases. In New York, forensic science technicians bring in an average of $65,560 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). Job openings for forensic science technicians are expected to swell 27% between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2017).

The demand for criminal investigators is fairly stable in New York, although it does see some growth each year. With your forensic science education, you may have a lot to offer local law enforcement agencies. As an investigator, you can collect evidence properly and ensure that it is not unintentionally contaminated or destroyed. The average annual income for a New York criminal investigator is $85,990 per year (BLS, 2017). A 1% jump in job openings is anticipated by 2024 (O*Net, 2017).

If you enjoy working in solitude while still contributing to overarching team efforts, you may be interested in working as a coroner. In addition to working with the victims of fatal crimes, you may work with cadavers that have passed on of natural causes. This work focuses highly on documentation, since your reports may be used in legal settings, by insurance companies, and by other private and governmental facilities. New York coroners earn an average of $78,290 annually (BLS, 2017). O*Net predicts a 3% boost in job openings through the year 2024 (2017).

At New York forensic science schools, you may learn from experienced professionals and turn your passion for criminal justice into a career.

Get more information now by contacting forensic science programs in your community.