Forensics Colleges in Connecticut

If you like biology, chemistry, and other types of science, but are not quite sure what to do for a career, forensic science could be a great option for you. That’s because the field is so multidisciplinary in nature, incorporating not only the aforementioned sciences, but also anatomy, anthropology and physics. Students of forensic science colleges in Connecticut (CT) can blend coursework in the hard sciences with other classes in criminal justice, math and psychology in order to round out their education.

So, what’s it take to enter the forensic science field? The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that a bachelor’s degree is typically necessary, but that some professionals do go on to obtain a master’s degree. Of course, there are various programs offered in-state and online offering everything from associate to master’s degrees, and you’ll have to do the research to find the one that most aligns with your learning objectives.

Another option could be to consider a career in crime scene investigation (CSI). This career does not necessarily require as much education as does forensic science, which typically enables you to work in a science laboratory. A CSI program in Connecticut should help you learn about collecting evidence at crime scenes, preserving that evidence so that it can be used in the lab and in a court of law, and also even how to testify in court. Sound exciting? We thought so, too! Read on to discover more about forensic science and CSI education in Connecticut.

Job Demand for Forensic Scientists

But first, to the important details – do forensic scientists receive good pay? According to May 2017 data from the BLS, the mean annual wages for forensic science technicians working all across the U.S. were $62,220. This compares fairly well to the BLS mean annual pay for all combined occupations in the U.S.: that of $50,620 (BLS 2017). That’s more than $10,000 higher for forensic scientists, but what does pay look like in Connecticut? Even higher! The BLS shows that forensic scientists earned mean annual wages of $74,560, as of 2017 data. In fact, Connecticut is among the five highest-paying states in the country for forensic science technicians.

So what about job growth? Will there be a job when you finish school? There will be opportunities with demand for forensic science technicians expected to grow by 17 percent from 2016 to 2026. While that could result in some 2,600 new positions across the country, those who have a bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences, such as biology or chemistry followed by a master’s degree in forensic science, could have some of the best opportunities, as could those who have specialized skills in DNA or in digital computer forensics, according to the BLS. Opportunities in Connecticut could be a bit more competitive, with Career One Stop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, showing that job growth for forensic scientists in Connecticut is predicted to be around 10 percent, from 2014 to 2024 (CareerOneStop.org 2018).

How to Become a Forensic Scientist in the Constitution State

A forensic scientist needs to have a number of skills and deep understanding of the sciences to see how science relates to a crime. It could be that completing one of the forensic science programs in Connecticut could help you develop these powers of observation. So how do you become a forensic scientist? Below are various entry points.

• Step 1: Enroll in a bachelor’s degree program in the natural sciences or forensic science (4 years). At some institutions, you may be able to find a degree in forensic sciences, but at others you may only be able to pursue a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years, in biology or chemistry. Choose what works best for your, but know that the BLS does point out that those with the best job opportunities have an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences and a master’s degree in forensic science. How well educated are forensic science technicians in the U.S.? Career One Stop shows that 32 percent of those employed in the field across the U.S. have a bachelor’s degree.
• Step 2: Move on to a master’s degree or complete a graduate-level certificate (1 to 2 years). Not all people pursue a master’s degree in forensic science, but it may be helpful in career advancement or if your undergraduate degree is in a natural science. A master’s degree is also needed to enter some forensic science fields, according to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). If you are not ready to commit to a master’s degree, you may want to consider a graduate certificate, which often comprises a handful of courses, and sometimes can be later applied toward a master’s degree.
• Step 3: Consider a doctoral degree (timeline varies). It’s true that just 4 percent of forensic science technicians have a PhD or other terminal degree, according to CareerOneStop, but this degree can be a benefit to those seeking top-of-the-line jobs, like running a forensic science lab or overseeing a forensic science program at a school. Advanced degrees also allow students to engage in research and even benefit those with a master’s degree in the natural sciences interested in pursuing skills in forensic science. PhDs can sometimes be completed in as little as three years, but often can take much longer.

When you are done, you will want to seek certification of your skills, if that option is indeed available for your niche field. On its website, the AAFS provides numerous details about entering 11 different disciplines of forensic science, including more information on the various steps, and certification, if it is available. Board certification is offered, for example, in forensic anthropology, but applicants should be prepared for a rigorous process.

Pursuing a CSI Degree in Connecticut

Crime scene investigators may be involved in a wide variety of work. What they do is different from forensic scientists, as much of their work occurs at the scene whereas forensic science technicians are typically working in the lab. CSI workers may need to take photos, collect physical evidence and store it, and even testify in court about their findings. The education necessary to become a CSI is typically not as involved as preparing to become a forensic scientist since not as much extensive scientific training is required.

• Option 1: Complete a certificate or associate degree in CSI (1 to 2 years). Depending on whether you complete a certificate or an associate degree in CSI, you can finish schooling within a year or two. Although the BLS reports that applicants for CSI jobs should have a bachelor’s degree, this may not be a requirement in all geographic areas, especially those that are rural.
• Option 2: Pursue a bachelor’s degree in CSI instead (4 years). Since the BLS does report that a bachelor’s degree is typically the entry-level point into CSI, a four-year bachelor’s degree may be a beneficial way to distinguish yourself. At the bachelor’s level, students are engaged with the sciences, but may also learn about law and criminal justice procedures and have the choice to pursue electives.
• Option 3: Complete training through a police academy (timeline varies). The BLS notes that many people learn about CSI by completing a police academy and entering the police force. From sheriff’s departments to police offices, there are many different types of law enforcement agencies to work for, and these may provide jumping-off points for advancing your skills in CSI.

Again, certification can be a way to prove that you have solid CSI skills. The requirements for certification will vary depending on your specialty, but the International Association for Identification (IAI) is one of the most respected organizations offering CSI certification.

Occupational Demand in Connecticut

The largest cities in Connecticut include Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford. Together, they have a total population of more than 450,000 people. These cities could be prime locations to look for jobs because there are more businesses there, but also because crime can occur more frequently in urban areas. One place to look for a job could be with the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory that maintains responsibility for all forensic examinations within the state. The lab manages forensics related to criminalistics, such as forensic biology and trace evidence, as well as identification, including firearms/toolmarks and latent prints. Other places to seek potential employment include:

• The Waterbury Police Department Forensics Unit
• United Technologies Corp
• EMSL Analytical in Wallingford

The AAFS also maintains a job board in which users can search by state for opportunities. Often, many of the jobs posted are with law enforcement agencies although jobs with medical examiners’ offices, state crime scene labs and private companies may also be posted.

Featured Forensic Science Colleges in Connecticut

There are a few different options as far as seeking a forensic science education in Connecticut. The programs listed directly below include details on what to expect from each school.

The University of New Haven offers a bachelor’s degree in forensic science through the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. Students in the program learn about biology, chemistry and medicine and have the opportunity to choose upper-level electives or even on a double major in biology or chemistry. Students can also learn through the $14 million Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science that houses a forensic archive and working crime scene labs. Finally, the program is one of the few in the country accredited through the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), which is the accrediting branch of the AAFS.

The University of New Haven also has a FEPAC-accredited master’s degree program available in forensic science. In this program, students receive the practical and theoretical knowledge helpful to carrying out analysis in criminal investigations. In addition, the program is four semesters in length, offers flexible class times and offerings and is taught by faculty with professional expertise. Graduate certificates in forensic psychology and forensic computer investigation are also available at the school.

Manchester Community College offers an associate degree that is based in criminal justice, but that also offers two courses in forensic science, if desired. Travel may be required as part of these courses and students learn how forensic scientists work in close relationship with law enforcement.

As a matter of fact, if you cannot find the forensic science program that you desire at your school, you may want to consider a undergraduate degree in the natural sciences and then pursue a master’s degree in forensic sciences, of which many are available online. We’ll explore some of those more in the next section.

Hybrid & Online Programs

There are a number for forensic science degrees and programs online. Some of these may include forensic science as a specialization while others may provide education solely focused on forensic science. Below are just a few of the many CSI or forensic science-related programs offered online.

• At Ashworth College, you can pursue a diploma-based program in forensic science that includes fully-illustrated textbooks and study guides, career guidance, and the ability to work at your own pace, with the possibility to complete the program in as little as four months.
• Liberty University Online offers a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice with a specialization in crime scene investigation that will help you learn about the analytical and scientific practices of the law as well as forensics.
• Saint Leo University Online provides a master’s degree in criminal justice with a forensic science specialization. Students learn about criminalistics, the history of forensic science, analyzing physical evidence and what new forensic technologies are being accepted in the courtroom.
• The University of Florida offers a master’s degree in forensic science online with four possible concentrations: forensic science, forensic DNA and serology, forensic drug chemistry, and forensic toxicology. A graduate certificate in nearly the same specializations is also available.

Students can also find a number of other programs that are available online and listed on the AAFS website, but you can begin your search by visiting our online forensic science programs page.

Program Accreditation & Certification

It is not always possible to graduate from a FEPAC-accredited program simply because they are not available in every state. In Connecticut, the forensic science programs offered at the University of New Haven do happen to have accreditation. Why seek an accredited program? First, it sets up national standards for learning in the forensic sciences. Further, these programs have been rigorously reviewed for quality education. of course, you can also find quality programs that have not received programmatic accreditation. The FEPAC website explains it this way: “Choosing an accredited program is added assurance that your education will assist you in establishing a career in forensic sciences by meeting the requirements of employers in the laboratory. Keep in mind there are many fine forensic science programs that have not yet applied for FEPAC accreditation.”

In addition to programmatic accreditation, it is important for prospective students to take into consideration institutional accreditation. In Connecticut, most institutions of higher learning earn accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Certification is also a consideration. Although it is not available for all specializations in forensic science or crime scene investigation, when it is, it may help with career advancement and garnering more respect in the field. In addition to offering certification, there are many organizations offering memberships, which can be helpful in continuing education, networking or advocacy. Some of the more well-known organizations include the:

• American Board of Criminalistics (ABC)
• American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA)
• American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD)
• International Association for Identification (IAI)
• International Crime Scene Investigators Association (ICSIA)

Finally, the AAFS also offers membership to students and working professionals, of which benefits can include access to its reference library, the Journal of Forensic Science, an online job board, and information about fellowships and internships.