Forensic Science Colleges in Colorado

Known as the Centennial State, Colorado (CO) provides various forensic science and crime scene investigation (CSI) programs to interested students. By attending a forensic science college in Colorado, students can learn the essentials for the career, including how to collect evidence from crime scenes, undertake analysis in laboratories, and even present evidence in courts, depending on the occupational role they pursue.

Both online and campus-based programs are available in Colorado. While students typically start by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the field, many professionals actually have an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences, and then pursue a master’s degree in forensic sciences, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Interested students may also be able to find degrees that take less time to complete, such as a certificate in CSI, or an associate degree in forensic science. An education in CSI typically prepares students for field work, while an education in the forensic sciences usually prepares them for work in a lab, or at the upper level, even the chance to be involved in research.

Forensic science is a career that pays well nationwide and in the state. The mean annual wage nationwide for the occupation was $69,260, according to the BLS (May 2022). In Colorado, forensic science technicians have an even higher mean wage of $75,150. Nationwide, opportunities for forensic science technicians are expected to grow by 11 percent between 2021 and 2031.

Read below to learn about degree programs, certifications, and the job outlook for forensic scientists in Colorado.

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How to Become a Forensic Scientist in Colorado

To become a forensic science technician in Colorado, you typically need to have a four-year degree, with Career One Stop, a site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, reporting that 31 percent of these professionals have earned a bachelor’s degree (CareerOneStop.org). A high school diploma or GED is usually required to seek entry into any postsecondary program, but background classes in biology, calculus, chemistry, and physics could be particularly helpful. From there, prospective forensic scientists can:

• Step 1: Complete a bachelor’s degree (four years). According to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), an undergraduate degree in biology, chemistry or physics can be particularly pertinent, but students should also take classes in math and statistics and develop solid writing skills.
• Step 2: Consider master’s level education (two years). The AAFS reports that jobs in forensic anthropology and psychiatry as well as pathology require advanced education and more niche training. Career One Stop shows that 11 percent of all forensic science technicians in the state have a master’s degree. Earning a master’s degree could add on two or more years of education.
• Step 3: Seek certification from a national organization (timeline varies). Although certification is not required to practice in the field, some employers may want to see their employees working toward certification or already in possession of it. There are currently 10 organizations accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB), and the prerequisites to join each vary but typically involve an application and a test of competence. Please note that some of these certifications require graduate coursework.

Following these steps, aspiring forensic science techs in Colorado may seek jobs in various contexts, such as psychiatric hospitals, police crime labs, and government at all levels, to name a few.

The AAFS also lists a variety of characteristics that are important to becoming a forensic scientist. These include:

• Having curiosity, integrity, and the ability to be unbiased
• Having solid speaking skills, as well as note-taking and observation skills
• Possessing writing skills to be able to write scientific reports

In all, it could take four or more years in Colorado to be able to work as a forensic scientist. However, it is up to the individual to decide if they want to pursue forensic science beyond four years and complete either a master’s degree or even a PhD, which could add multiple years to their education.

How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator in Colorado

Becoming a crime scene investigator could be an alternative to completing a full forensic science degree and take less time in terms of academic investment, even as little as one year if completing a CSI certificate. In fact, a college education may not even be required to become a CSI when training is offered on the job. As a result, the steps needed to enter the CSI field can vary based on an individual’s goals, but some of these steps could include:

• Option 1: Complete an education program at a postsecondary college (one to two years). CSI programs can lead to a certificate or an associate degree or, in some cases, be offered as a concentration area or specialization of a bachelor’s degree. These programs may include coursework such as an introduction to criminal justice, fingerprint identification, crime scene photography, and more. In some cases, students who complete a certificate program may be able to transfer their credits toward completing an undergraduate degree.
• Option 2: Finish a bachelor’s degree (four years). Another alternative is simply to complete a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, as this is the recommendation of the BLS, particularly when an individual hopes to become a non-uniformed worker, i.e., not employed through a police force.
• Option 3: Receive training on the job (timeline varies). Many CSI workers are actually police officers who have completed training through an academy. In this case, they may receive training by working closely with fellow officers already working as CSIs or by completing internal educational programs.

The BLS reports that a college education may not even be necessary for rural areas, where someone already has on-the-job training and has learned the necessary CSI skills by working closely with others. Finally, certification (different from a certificate) is available to individuals working in CSI who want proof and validation of their skills.

Strong Demand for Forensic Scientists in Colorado

There is excellent news for aspiring forensics professionals in CO: forensic science is a field on the rise. As proof of point, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) projects that openings for forensic science technicians nationwide will increase 11 percent between 2021 and 2031, much faster than the growth rate expected for all occupations during that time period (5 percent). And this expected addition of 2,000 positions nationally is only one career possibility for people trained in forensic science.

The outlook is even brighter for residents of CO. Projections Central (2023) found that demand for forensic science technicians in Colorado specifically is expected to grow 30.3 percent between 2020 and 2030.

Some of the best job opportunities in Colorado could be in its larger cities, simply because greater crime occurrences typically occur in urban areas. These cities may also be home to universities and colleges with laboratories or other resources available to forensic science technicians. In Colorado, two of the largest cities are Denver and Colorado Springs.

The Denver Police Department recently expanded its crime lab to be five times larger than it previously was and to combine more services under one roof. In addition to looking for employment opportunities with this agency, recent graduates of forensic science colleges in Colorado might also look at:

• ChemaTox
• Colorado Bureau of Investigation Forensic Services
• Cordant Health Solutions
• Colorado Springs Metro Crime Lab
• The Boulder/CBI High Throughput DNA Lab

Forensic scientist technicians can also work in morgues and coroners’ offices as well as for crime labs and police departments. Forensic professionals may additionally spend substantial time outside of the office, traveling to crime scenes, or working with other specialists.

Forensics Salaries in Colorado

In addition to a strong occupational outlook, Colorado boasts salaries that are higher than the national average. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics (May 2022), the 17,590 forensic science technicians across the nation earned an average annual salary of $69,260. In comparison, the 390 forensic science technicians working in Colorado earned $75,150 per year.

In more detailed terms, here is a breakdown of the salary percentiles among all forensic science technicians in the country compared with those in CO (BLS May 2022):

The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, PayScale (June 2023), which relies on self-reported salaries. Among the forensic science techs reporting their annual salaries, Payscale found these percentiles for the US:

• 10th percentile: $29,000
• 50th percentile (median): $49,163
• 90th percentile: $61,000

When reviewing any state or local salary data, it is important to consider the cost of living in that area. For instance, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023), Colorado ranked 34th in affordability, making it more expensive than the majority of states.

Program Accreditation & Certification

Students planning to enroll in a forensic science program should look to see if it is accredited through AAFS’ accrediting branch, the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). While this is the primary accrediting organization for forensic science programs, institutions can be regionally accredited through organizations such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Graduation from a FEPAC-accredited program is not necessary for obtaining a job, but it may be preferred by some organizations when they hire employees.

Additionally, many organizations offer forensic science and CSI certification or membership that can attest to an individual’s skills and knowledge. There is an abundance of organizations offering national professional certification. The Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) has recognized 10 agencies. These include:

• American Board of Criminalistics (ABC)
• American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA)
• American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE)
• American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)
• American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)
• Board of Forensic Document Examiners (BFDE)
• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
• International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS)