Forensic Science Programs in North Dakota

As one of the most rural states in the United States, North Dakota has a number of unique challenges when it comes to criminal justice. It has relatively limited resources in terms of criminal justice agencies and technology, since each department covers several neighboring communities or entire counties.

Still, the need for trained criminal justice professionals is extremely high in North Dakota. Working in this state may give you the chance to make a real difference in the lives of residents. If you are science-minded and you have an eye for detail, you may want to learn how to become a forensics scientist.

Explore career opportunities in the field of forensic science now.

Request information on forensic science degrees from North Dakota schools.

Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs

What Can I Do with a Forensic Science Degree in North Dakota?

Within the field of forensic science, there are a number of specialties and career options that make use of technology and advances in research. Consider the field of cyber security, which has a significant presence in North Dakota.

Cyber forensics relies on the collection of data from computing devices to learn more about the commission of a crime, verify or disprove suspects’ alibis, and get a clear image of a victim’s movements prior to a crime. The Cyber Security Conference in North Dakota shows professionals in forensic science how to use cyber forensic principles to stop identity theft (WDAY, 2017).

Forensic Science Degrees in North Dakota

In any field, it’s important to have the right education before you begin your career. This is especially true in forensic science. When a crime occurs, there exists a limited amount of evidence. If you mishandle, improperly process, or improperly store evidence, it may decay or become contaminated.

If there is no other evidence to test, this type of mistake can cause serious investigative problems. With an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree in forensic science, you may have the expertise needed to prevent these types of situations.

Is an associate degree a good fit for you? If you are a recent high school graduate or you are returning to postsecondary education after a long time away, you may want to get your feet wet in this field with an associate degree.

You may be able to complete your training in two years or less and develop the skills needed for entry-level positions. This type of degree also lays the groundwork for future study at the bachelor’s degree level.

Associate-Level Forensic Science Classes

Forensic Anthropology
Investigating Internet Crime
Interview and Interrogation
Crash Scene Investigation

If you know beyond a doubt that you want to work in forensic science and you want to give yourself the widest variety of job opportunities, you may be more interested in a bachelor’s degree in forensic science. A bachelor’s in forensic science requires four years of full-time study.

By the time you graduate, you should have between 120 and 140 credits. Many of those credits may come from laboratory, practicum, and internship courses. Getting multiple types of hands-on experience may be beneficial for your career and your overall body of knowledge in forensic science.

Bachelor’s Degree Coursework

Statistics for Forensic Science
Criminal Investigation
Criminal Procedure
Forensic Biology

With a bachelor’s degree, you may have what it takes to pursue a master’s degree in forensic science. Over a period of two to three years, you earn between 30 and 40 credits while delving into extremely advanced and complex forensic science topics.

Some schools in North Dakota require a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or criminal justice, while others accept students from other fields of study. You may find that graduate programs focus a bit more on research, so this type of degree may open you up to more research positions.

Graduate Courses in Forensic Science

Behavior Pathology
Advanced Issues in Clinical Assessment
Psychopathology and Treatment
Forensic Assessment

How can a forensics degree put you on the path to an exciting and rewarding criminal justice career?

Find out today by getting in touch with North Dakota forensic science schools.

Working as a Forensic Scientist in North Dakota

By the time you reach your final semester of school, you should already know what types of jobs and positions are available to you as a forensic science graduate. In fact, you may want to start researching job opportunities as early as your first semester.

By finding out what local employers are looking for, you can tailor your coursework and practical experience to fit the needs of North Dakota employers. This may allow you to make relevant contacts in the industry and give yourself a boost over other job applicants.

Do you feel at home in a laboratory setting? If so, you may be North Dakota’s next forensic science technician. This role relies on an extensive knowledge of laboratory procedures and techniques. CareerOneStop expects job openings for forensic science technicians to remain steady through 2030 (2022).

You may also discover that your knowledge is useful in the field of criminal investigation. This position requires more community work and often puts you in charge of investigations from start to finish. The average annual salary for a North Dakota criminal investigator is $80,890 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Job openings for criminal investigators are expected to remain steady through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

North Dakota counties and many cities employ coroners to promptly analyze cadavers, create autopsy reports, and push evidence on to investigative teams. This is an important role in any part of North Dakota, since evidence may decay if it isn’t collected immediately. The average salary for a North Dakota coroner is $76,480 per year (BLS, 2022). By the year 2030, demand for coroners may jump 4% in North Dakota (CareerOneStop, 2022).

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for North Dakota contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.

Getting the education you need is a big part of getting involved in the field of forensic science.