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Forensic Science Schools in Massachusetts

In a scandal that rocked the world of forensics, Reuters reported that the state of Massachusetts (MA) was partially to blame for 40,000 instances of falsified lab results. The now infamous chemist Annie Dookhan, a former employee of the Hinton Crime Lab who lied about having a master’s in chemistry, was under lax management and cooked up false, lazy analyses for a decade until she was caught. Finally, Dookhan was sentenced to three to five years in jail, and more than 300 people convicted falsely of drug violations were released from prison.

This glaring abuse of forensics in the Bay State demonstrates the importance of ethical conduct and rigorous training in this discipline. Luckily, Dookhan’s duplicity is the exception rather than the rule, and there are ample opportunities for aspiring forensic scientists in MA.

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) is one of the premier professional organizations in forensics and uses its platform to detail some of the job responsibilities in this field. Forensic scientists have a wealth of important duties such as analyzing various types of evidence (e.g., bodily secretions, fibers, footprints, documents, bones, hair samples, tool marks, ballistics, plastics, soils, arson residues, etc.); documenting findings meticulously; liaising with legal, medical, and scientific professionals; engaging in continuing education (CE) to keep aware of new technological developments; and testifying in court as expert witnesses.

Further, there is an abundance of subfields and even specialized certification in areas such as fingerprints, document examination, DNA analyses, death investigations, toxicology, and digital forensics, to name a few.

To join a career in forensics in MA, people typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, and in some of the more niche fields that require more advanced training (e.g., medicolegal death investigations, forensic psychiatry, forensic anthropology), a master’s or doctoral degree may be necessary.

Read on to learn more about the bright career outlook for forensics professionals in MA and accredited programs in the field.

How to Become a Forensic Scientist in Massachusetts

While there are many paths to becoming a forensic technician or scientist in MA, many pursue a four-year degree in the natural sciences before joining this profession. Here is one possible route to becoming a forensic technician or scientist:

Step 1: Graduating from High School (Duration: Four Years)

Only 4 percent of employed forensic science techs have not completed high school, which means a high school diploma is required for almost every job in a lab (Career One Stop 2024). While in high school, students should focus on excelling in sciences and math courses such as biology and chemistry.

Step 2: Earning an Undergraduate Degree (Duration: Two to Four Years)

Career One Stop also indicates that over 19 percent of forensic science techs have some college degree, with 13 percent holding an associate’s degree and 34 percent holding a bachelor’s degree. However, this data does not indicate which specific degrees these professionals hold. It is likely that most of these technicians hold forensic science degrees while others hold degrees in related fields like biochemistry.

Step 3: Becoming Certified (Duration: Varies)

Forensic science professionals may choose to get licensed or certified for their skills. While this may not be a requirement for employment, it does lead to increased job responsibilities, a more competitive resume, and even higher pay. The Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) has nine professional certification organizations in various specialties. Each of these agencies has its own educational and experiential criteria for membership and may also require an exam.

Step 4: Earning a Graduate Degree (Duration: Varies)

Earning a graduate degree in forensic science is another way of differentiating oneself in a competitive job market. Career One Stop indicates that around 15 percent of forensic science technicians have either a master’s or doctoral degree.

Occupational Demand for Forensic Scientists in Massachusetts

One possible career for aspiring forensic professionals in MA is to become a forensic science technician, a high-growth (and relatively high-paying) field. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) projects that job openings for forensic science techs nationwide will swell 14 percent between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the average growth anticipated for all occupations during that time period, which is just 4 percent (BLS 2022). And the expected addition of 2,500 positions in this field is only part of the good news for residents of Massachusetts.

The outlook is even brighter for residents of Massachusetts. Projections Central (2024) found that demand for forensic science technicians in Massachusetts specifically is expected to grow 16.7 percent between 2022 and 2032.

Notably, crime labs aren’t the only places of employment for forensics specialists in Massachusetts. They can also work in police departments, international organizations, universities, district attorney offices, morgues, hospitals, state agencies, and other places. Also, while some forensic scientists in MA work regular business hours, others may be called upon to work weekends, evenings, or holidays depending on the need to process evidence efficiently.

In the Old Colony State, one prominent employer of forensics professionals is the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory (MSPCL), accredited by the prestigious ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB). The lab provides “professional forensic services to the Commonwealth’s criminal justice system” and has eight locations throughout the state. To learn more about job openings available through the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory, potential applicants can visit the state’s Commonwealth Employment Opportunities website.

Another possibility for nurses who have completed specialized training in forensics is at the Forensics For Survivors organization, which works with victims of sexual assault. The group answers common questions and concerns that arise from traumatic circumstances. For instance, it states that in MA, survivors of sexual assault can have evidence collected at a hospital within five days of the attack using a Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit (SAECK), more commonly known as a rape kit.

For those interested in forensic psychology, the New England Forensic Associates, a company based in Arlington, hires specialists for services such as counseling, psychosexual evaluations, psychometric lab assessments, risk assessments, and expert testimony for court.

How Much Do Forensics Professionals Make in Massachusetts?

In addition to a strong occupational outlook, Massachusetts boasts higher salaries than the national average.

The Bureau for Labor Statistics (May 2023) found that forensic science technicians around the country make an annual average salary of $71,540. This figure dwarfs the average salary of all occupations nationwide—$65,470 (BLS May 2023)—and the wage prospects are even better in MA. For illustration, forensic science technicians make an average salary of $82,520 (fifth highest in the state).

As proof of point, here is a breakdown of the salary percentiles among all forensic science technicians in the country compared with those in MA (BLS May 2023):

United States Massachusetts
Number of Forensic Science Technicians Employed 17,520 120
Annual Mean Wage $71,540 $82,520
10th percentile $41,410 $55,220
25th percentile $50,480 $59,630
50th percentile $64,940 $70,220
75th percentile $84,720 $88,760
90th percentile $107,490 $128,780

As a basis of comparison, PayScale (January 2024)—a reputed aggregator of self-reported wages—found the following salary percentiles from its 267 reporting forensic scientists nationwide:

  • 10th percentile: $41,000
  • 50th percentile (median): $57,486
  • 90th percentile: $87,000

While these salary possibilities look promising—as most MA residents know—the cost of living can also be quite steep. In fact, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024) found that MA is the second most expensive state in which to live, particularly in terms of housing costs.

Massachusetts Forensics Programs

Fortunately for aspiring forensics professionals, forensics programs are abundant in MA. Before enrollment, students are encouraged to verify the accreditation status of their program. There are two types of accreditation available: programmatic and institutional.

For programmatic accreditation, the gold standard across the country is the Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), and there are two FEPAC-accredited programs in MA.

The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) is the main agency for institutional accreditation. For more information on the process of accreditation, please refer to the eponymous section below.

Although the American Academy of Forensic Sciences states that most forensics professionals have at least a bachelor’s degree, some associate degrees in forensic science or related fields are available in MA.

To gain entry to one of these two-year programs, candidates typically need to submit their official high school transcripts with proof of specific coursework (e.g., biology, chemistry); pay an application fee; and for non-native speakers of English, send TOEFL test scores as well.

Bunker Hill Community College

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) offers an associate degree in criminal justice, preparing graduates for employment in several criminal justice-related areas. Students in this program can also choose to complete concentrations in either law enforcement or corrections and qualify for entry-level positions in corrections, security, or law enforcement at the state, local, federal, and regional agencies.

The curriculum includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; criminal law; introduction to corrections; criminology; criminal procedure; criminal investigation; juvenile justice; and rehabilitation of the offender.

Notably, Bunker Hill Community College also offers an associate degree in criminal justice with a transfer option which specifically allows students to transfer to four-year universities and colleges to seek a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field.

  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years

MassBay Community College

MassBay Community College offers an associate of science degree in criminal justice and law enforcement. Combining professional courses with a broad background in liberal arts, this associate degree prepares students for careers in several areas of the criminal justice system, such as law enforcement, private security, and corrections. The program’s liberal arts background is well-suited to help graduates succeed at the baccalaureate level.

Made up of 60 to 62 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; criminal law and procedures; introduction to criminology; juvenile offenders; criminal investigation; criminal evidence; victimology; drugs & society; and psychology of criminal behavior.

  • Location: Wellesley, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years

For Massachusetts bachelor’s degree programs in forensics, admissions committees typically ask for official secondary school transcripts with proof of specific coursework, a personal statement, test scores (SAT or ACT, and TOEFL for non-native English speakers), and an application fee. Some programs also ask for candidate interviews, letters of recommendation, or experience volunteering (or working) in a relevant field.

Lasell University

Lasell University’s School Of Health Sciences offers a FEPAC-accredited bachelor of science program in forensic science, preparing graduates for careers in crime laboratories, crime scene investigations, commercial laboratories, and trace evidence examination. Students in this program take a variety of courses in both criminal justice and the traditional sciences. Applied courses are focused on quality assurance, conducting criminal investigations, evidence analysis, and evidence collection and preservation.

This 121-credit program includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; forensic science; criminology; criminal investigations; criminal procedure; genetics; biochemistry; forensic DNA analysis; and trace evidence & microscopy. Coursework involves case studies, mock crime scene scenarios, and field experiences. The program also offers unique internship experiences at several sites and features a research-based Capstone course.

  • Location: Newton, MA
  • Accreditation: Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC); New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Four years

Bay Path University

Bay Path University’s bachelor of science program in forensic science is built on a solid foundation of mathematics and science courses helping students develop a thorough understanding of chemistry and biology and preparing them for work in a variety of forensic science and related fields. Graduates gain discipline-specific experience and knowledge in forensic biology, criminalistics, forensic anthropology, crime scene investigation, and forensic chemistry.

During the program, students will be identifying, collecting, and documenting evidence at mock crime scenes. They will also be presenting their findings to a group of criminal justice and forensic professionals. Classroom lectures and laboratory courses will be held in small classroom settings that are fully equipped with the latest instruments and technology and students will receive personal attention and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment, analysis, and data acquisition.

Comprising 120 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to the American legal system; criminalistics; forensic chemistry; crime scene investigation; forensic biology; cell and molecular biology; microbiology; genetics; and career and personal growth strategies.

  • Location: Longmeadow, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Four years

Western New England University

Western New England University offers baccalaureate degrees in criminal justice; forensic chemistry; and forensic biology.

In the criminal justice major, students will have three optional concentration options in homeland security and terrorism; criminal investigation; or victim studies. The curriculum for this major includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; criminology; corrections; police and society; the judicial process; research methods in criminal justice; criminal procedure; human trafficking; and victimology.

In the forensic biology major, students will learn about fingerprints, the fundamentals of DNA, and other biological evidence. Graduates will be provided with the practical skills, theoretical background, and scientific techniques utilized in modern crime laboratories. Coursework includes microbiology; general biology; genetics; cell biology; general chemistry; biochemistry; physics; and organic chemistry. In addition, students will also complete coursework in the areas of criminal investigation and ethics.

The major in forensic chemistry provides students with a strong background in chemistry and biology as they learn about instrumentation analysis and analytical methods. Graduates will study fascinating topics such as scientific evidence, crime scene processing, and toxicology.

  • Location: Springfield, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Four years

For master’s degree programs in forensics, typical admissions requirements include sending official undergraduate transcripts with a competitive GPA in a relevant major (e.g., forensic science, biochemistry, biology); writing a personal statement; submitting proof of work experience or letters of recommendation; submitting official test scores (GRE or MCAT—depending on specialty—and TOEFL for non-native English speakers); and paying an application fee.

Boston University School of Medicine

The Boston University School of Medicine (BUMC) offers the only FEPAC-accredited master’s program in the state. This master of science (MS) degree in biomedical forensic science trains aspiring forensic scientists in several disciplines applicable to both evidence analysis and crime scene investigation.

This 38-credit program includes classes such as crime scene investigation; molecular biology of forensic DNA analysis; forensic biology; forensic chemistry; criminal law & ethics; trace evidence analysis; and mock court experiences.

Graduates of this program are prepared for careers in medical examiner offices, crime laboratories, scientific instrument companies, hospital or biotechnology laboratories, and law enforcement agencies. They will be ready to take up roles such as DNA analysts, forensic scientists and toxicologists, death investigators, drug chemists, serologists, trace evidence examiners, fingerprint examiners, firearms examiners, crime scene responders, and death investigators.

Boston University (BU) offers a master of science (MS) program in forensic anthropology with classes such as zooarchaeology; advanced osteology; forensic pathology; taphonomy; crime scene investigation; and expert witness testimony.

  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Accreditation: Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC); New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years

William James College

William James College of Newton offers a master of arts (MA) in clinical mental health counseling with an area of emphasis in forensic and correctional counseling. This mental health counseling program is uniquely designed for psychological assessments and substance abuse counseling for people in the criminal justice system. With internships at forensic units, correctional facilities, child advocacy organizations, and court clinics, William James prepares its graduates for this important line of work.

Made up of 60 credits, the program’s curriculum includes classes in the theories of counseling & psychotherapy; lifespan development; substance abuse evaluations & treatment; career counseling; trauma, theory, and treatment, and criminal behavior.

  • Location: Newton, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years

American International College

American International College offers a master of science program in forensic psychology, which is ideal for bachelor’s degree holders who are interested in criminal behavior, the criminal justice system, and psychology.

Upon completion, graduates can either pursue further graduate study or choose to obtain positions in a variety of private and public institutions and agencies such as prisons, social services, mental health agencies, and juvenile facilities.

This 36-credit program includes courses such as applied behavioral statistics; legal systems and evidence practices in forensic psychology; psychological aspects of the criminal mind and criminal behavior; counseling techniques in forensic psychology; psychological and legal aspects of interpersonal violence; ethical practices in forensic psychology; applied research methodology and evaluation; psychopathology: assessment, diagnosis and treatment; theories and practices in forensic psychology; and an internship in forensic psychology.

Notably, the American International College also offers a bachelor of science program in criminal justice.

  • Location: Springfield, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Anna Maria College

Anna Maria College offers a bachelor of science program in forensic science with a criminalistics track providing graduates with the advanced and basic sciences necessary to gather data, investigate, and begin processing a crime scene both at a beginner and advanced level. Graduates will have the required skills needed to serve as crime scene investigators and crime scene technicians.

Students in this program will also engage in highly sought-after internships. Made up of 122 credits, the program includes courses such as criminal law; introduction to forensics; collection and preservation of evidence; homeland security; criminal procedure; forensic anthropology; forensic photography; and forensic psychology.

Notably, Anna Maria College also offers a major in forensic criminology, an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and an online criminal justice master’s degree.

  • Location: Paxton, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Four years

Middlesex Community College

Middlesex Community College offers an associate degree in criminal and social justice preparing students for careers in all areas of the criminal justice field such as law enforcement, corrections, and courts. Graduates will be able to investigate political, social, ethical, and legal concerns embedded in criminal justice issues.

Consisting of 61 to 62 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; criminal law; criminology; forensic science; principles of correction; and introduction to crisis communications.

Middlesex Community College also offers a 60 to 61-credit associate degree in digital forensics as well as a 28-credit digital forensics certificate program.

  • Location: Bedford, MA; Lowell, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Emmanuel College

Emmanuel College offers a bachelor of science program in chemistry with a concentration in forensic science providing students the ability to apply scientific principles to resolve legal issues and continue on to research labs performing forensic analyses. The program’s curriculum encompasses biology, chemistry, social science, and psychology, emphasizing topics such as drug analysis, forensic toxicology, analysis of trace evidence, DNA profile, and more.

Sample some of the courses in the curriculum: principles of chemistry; forensic chemistry; chemistry of fire and explosives; introduction to toxicology; instrumental methods of analysis; biochemistry; and introduction to cellular and molecular biology.

  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Four years

For more information on forensics degrees and specializations, please visit the forensic programs page.

Hybrid & Online Forensics Programs

Attending one of the many accredited online forensics programs may be an option for aspiring MA students with familial, work-related, or distance-based restrictions on their time. These may be an especially attractive option for working professionals since hands-on training must typically be completed under the guidance of a mentor or in an approved preceptorship. Most of these programs are available only at the graduate level since the critical hands-on lab training that takes place in an undergraduate program is difficult to replicate in the online learning environment.

University of Massachusetts Lowell

University of Massachusetts Lowell offers an online master of arts program in criminal justice that helps students develop the required knowledge needed for evaluating policies and modeling best practices, along with emergency and crisis management administrative skills.

This top-ranked program comprises 33 credits and includes courses such as administration of justice; criminological theory; law and public policy; descriptive & inferential statistics; crisis and emergency management; overview of homeland security; crime analysis and mapping; issues in policing; victimology; mental health & criminal justice; sexual abuse: dynamics, responses, and prevention; and criminal mind and behavior.

Graduates will be ready for positions such as corrections officers, criminologists, forensic scientists, probation officers, private investigators, and parole officer supervisors.

University of Massachusetts Lowell also offers an online graduate certificate program in forensic criminology that can be applied toward UMass Lowell’s online master’s degree in criminal justice.

  • Location: Lowell, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: MA (18 months); graduate certificate (nine months)

Boston University Metropolitan College

Boston University offers an online master of science program in criminal justice (MSCJ) ideal for those who wish to advance or enter the criminal justice field, or simply gain an in-depth understanding of this fascinating discipline. The program offers concentration options in cybercrime investigation & cybersecurity; strategic management in criminal justice; crime analysis; and criminal justice.

This 32-credit program includes courses such as criminology and crime policy; criminal justice administration and ethics; research and evaluation methods; applied analytical methods; sexual violence; cybercrime; violence and trauma; cyberterrorism and cyber defense; and applied digital forensic investigation.

  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Eight to 16 months

Northeastern University

Northeastern University’s online graduate certificate in forensic accounting helps students master a range of techniques that are needed to identify, collect, and examine evidence of accounting fraud and abuse.

Consisting of 16 credits, the program includes courses such as forensic accounting principles; dissecting financial statements; investigative accounting and fraud examination; and litigation support.

  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Six to 12 months

Salem State University

Salem State University has several programs in criminal justice, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One such program is their online master of science program in criminal justice designed for those who wish to pursue or advance careers in criminal justice and those who plan to secure a doctoral degree in the field. The program offers two concentration options in criminal justice and criminology administration.

Made up of 36 credits, the program includes courses such as theories of crime; criminal justice process & administration; criminal law & the judicial system; advanced research methods in criminal justice; criminal justice statistical analysis; victimology; white collar crime; and mental illness and the criminal justice system.

  • Location: Salem, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Northern Essex Community College

Northern Essex Community College offers an online associate degree in criminal justice providing a strong foundation in law enforcement, the justice system, and criminology. Graduates will also learn about the social issues shaping criminal justice and will be prepared for exciting careers in security, law enforcement, or a related field.

Made up of 62 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; modern policing; critical incident response; criminal law; introduction to criminology; incarceration & alternatives; and a criminal justice internship.

  • Location: Haverhill, MA; Lawrence, MA
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years

These programs are only a few of the online forensics programs available. Please check out the online forensic science degrees page to learn more and explore additional specializations.

Professional Certification in Forensics

For trained forensics workers in Massachusetts, there is a wealth of specialized certifications available. In fact, there are currently nine specialty certifications that have been recognized by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB).

Although prerequisites for each vary, these credentialing agencies typically ask for three to five years of experience; completion of a qualifying degree program; letters of recommendation, and passing a specialized exam. To maintain active credentials, these forensics specialists must generally complete several hours of continuing education (CE) every three to five years.

Here are the FSAB-approved credentialing institutions:

  • American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA)
  • American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE)
  • American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO)
  • 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)
  • International Board of Forensic Engineering Sciences (IBFES)

Finally, MA also has a Designated Forensic Professional (DFB) certification which was developed by the state government and the University of Massachusetts Medical School. To qualify, candidates must be state employees or contractors who perform forensic evaluations; complete a training regimen in under two years; and pass a written examination on the MA mental health statutes.

To learn more about the subfields of forensics and how to pursue specialized certifications, please visit the forensics careers and the program pages.

Accreditation of Forensics Programs

Students are strongly encouraged to seek out accredited forensics programs. This process helps to ensure that a school can properly prepare a student for his or her intended career field. As mentioned in the introduction to the MA forensics programs, there are two types of program accreditation available: programmatic and institutional.

For programmatic accreditation, the Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) is the predominant agency. Although there are currently only two MA programs that are FEPAC-accredited, there are several approved bachelor’s and master’s options in nearby states such as Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. FEPAC’s accreditation standards include institutional support, faculty effectiveness, admissions processes, availability of student support, a record of student complaints, and professional involvement.

It is important to note that FEPAC has accredited very few programs overall and a lack of FEPAC accreditation does not mean that a forensic science program is not reputable, merely that other measures, such as institutional accreditation, should be used to evaluate them.

For institutional accreditation, the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) is one of seven regional agencies recognized by the US Department of Education. It evaluates schools as a whole in a three-part process involving a self-study, a peer review, and a follow-up. Please visit the NECHE website for a detailed examination of its school approval criteria.

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Jocelyn Blore is the chief content officer of Sechel Ventures and the co-author of the Women Breaking Barriers series. She graduated summa cum laude from UC Berkeley and traveled the world for five years. She also worked as an addiction specialist for two years in San Francisco. She’s interested in how culture shapes individuals and systems within societies—one of the many themes she writes about in her blog, Blore’s Razor (Instagram: @bloresrazor). She has served as managing editor for several healthcare websites since 2015.