Online Certificate in Crime Scene Investigation

There’s no shortage of crime dramas; cable TV and streaming services are brimming with endless seasons and episodes that press into our emotional edges. Psychology Today points out how human minds are wired for crime shows, offering viewers a thrilling adrenaline rush from the safety of their living rooms.

Unfortunately, in real life, crime statistics are expanding along with network ratings. In 2020, the Brennan Center showed the crime rate in the US is on the rise, with murders increasing by 30 percent and assault cases by 10 percent. While this trend has reversed somewhat since the pandemic, there continues to be a high demand for qualified crime scene investigation (CSI) professionals.

Crime scene investigation is a growing field that merges criminal justice and forensic science. Those who want to become crime scene investigators should consider earning a certificate or degree. Most degree programs are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels, but some are at the associate’s degree level.

Students may be able to transfer previous credits earned at one institution depending on program requirements. Many CSI programs are delivered online and can be completed part- or full-time for students’ convenience. Please see our guide to the crime scene investigator career for a detailed step-by-step guide to becoming a CSI.

In the field, CSIs collect and preserve evidence for analysis at a crime lab. They are tasked with photographing and noting blood spatter patterns, collecting fingerprints, searching for weapons, and observing ballistic bullet patterns. In addition, attorneys may call them to testify in legal proceedings and write official reports in the courtroom.

Read on to learn more about online certificate programs in crime scene investigation, admission requirements, program accreditation, and three professors who teach in these programs.

Online Certificate Programs in Crime Scene Investigation

Purdue Global University – Online Certificate in CSI

The online crime scene technician certificate program at Purdue Global University offers students a comprehensive understanding of how to secure crime scenes and process evidence in support of law enforcement.

The 41-credit program is designed for high school graduates or individuals who possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate or another equivalency diploma. Students in this program can expect to spend 15 to 18 hours per week on their studies, and courses completed in this program can be applied to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program.

• Location: West Lafayette, IN
• Duration: 11 months
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

George Washington University – Online Graduate Certificate in Forensic Investigations

The graduate certificate in crime scene investigation provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work as crime scene investigators. The program is designed for working professionals and can help applicants stand out from other job candidates.

Courses include photography in the forensic sciences, medicolegal death investigation, and firearms and tool mark identification. Credits earned in this certificate program can be applied toward a master’s degree in the same field.

• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Duration: One year
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

National University – Online Graduate Certificate in Forensics and CSI

National University offers a graduate certificate in forensics and crime scene investigation that prepares students to enter the field. The 31.5-quarter-unit program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work as part of a multidisciplinary team involved in criminal investigations.

The program requires seven courses in forensic pathology, advanced criminalistics, and digital evidence. Students who wish to pursue a master’s degree in forensic science may be able to apply some or all of the credits earned in the certificate program toward the MFS degree, assuming they meet the GPA and other requirements.

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Duration: One year
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

University of Florida Health – Online Graduate Certificates in Forensic Science

The University of Florida offers online certificate programs in crime scene investigation. These 15-credit programs are designed to allow students to specialize in one of four concentrations: forensic death investigation, forensic DNA and serology, forensic toxicology, or forensic drug chemistry.

Students can complete this program from their chosen location, learning through an asynchronous online format. Upon completion of the certificate program, students may be eligible to transfer credits to the master’s degree in forensic science if they are admitted and earn a grade of “B” or higher in their courses.

• Location: Gainesville, FL
• Duration: One year
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Stevenson University – Online Graduate Certificate in Forensic Investigation

Stevenson University Online offers a graduate forensic investigation certificate that students can complete online. This 18-credit program gives students the skills to contribute to criminal investigations and trials. Coursework covers investigative techniques, physical evidence, fraud investigation, and white-collar crimes. The certificate may be applied to the master in forensic investigation.

• Location: Owings Mills, MD
• Duration: One year
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Admissions Requirements for Online Certificates in Crime Scene Investigation

Students who wish to pursue a CSI certification at the undergraduate level may not be required to have a prior degree or education. However, those interested in crime scene investigation typically have a personal or professional interest or previous experience working in law enforcement.

Certificates at the master’s degree level generally demand students to have an undergraduate education in forensic science or a hard science to be fully prepared for the academic rigor expected at this degree level.

Typical admissions requirements for online CSI certificate programs include:

• Application and fee
• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences (for graduate programs)
• Competitive GPA
• Current resume
• Letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts
• Statement of purpose
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for non-native English speakers

Online CSI Certificate Program Accreditation

Accreditation is essential to choosing an online graduate certificate forensic science program. An accredited school or program guarantees students, employers, and learning institutions that the faculty, curriculum, and facilities have been assessed and meet quality standards. There are two types of accreditation: programmatic and institutional.

Programmatic accreditation applies to programs only rather than the institution as a whole. The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), affiliated with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board (ASB), may grant programmatic accreditation for forensic science programs. While only a small number of certificate programs are accredited, other degrees might be accredited at the same institution.

Institutional accreditation is a non-negotiable factor in choosing a school. Accreditation comes from one of six regional authorities recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA):

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Another crucial detail to remember when picking an online certificate program in forensic science is the program’s state authorization status. Colleges and universities have to ask for permission to provide distance learning opportunities to students who don’t reside in the same state. Prospective students can find this information on most programs’ or schools’ websites.

Rachel Drummond, MEd

Writer

Rachel Drummond has given her writing expertise to ForensicsColleges.com since 2019, where she provides a unique perspective on the intersection of education, mindfulness, and the forensic sciences. Her work encourages those in the field to consider the role of mental and physical well-being in their professional success.

Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.