A forensic science education entails more than just going to school and earning a diploma or degree. Depending on your goals, forensic science education can be obtained in a variety of settings and through a variety of methods. Volunteer work, academic training, laboratory experience, and post-degree training are examples of these methods.
Volunteer forensic science education opportunities are available at the discretion of the organization making the offer. The Virginia Department of Forensic Science, for example, accepts volunteers with the promise of providing the training required for the volunteer to fulfill the responsibilities he or she signs on for. This is a type of education, though it is not always taken into account when making decisions. Volunteering at a forensic science facility can help you decide if this is the career path for you, or it can help you improve your skill set if you’ve already started your education.
A more common type of forensic science education is academic training. A forensic science course is occasionally offered at a high school, and for some students, this is where their forensic science education begins. Most people, however, will study forensic science at a community college, a four-year college or university, or online. Even after earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree, your education is likely to continue as long as you work in the field.
The initial training you receive after high school may or may not be specifically in the forensic science field, depending on your career goals in forensic science. A bachelor’s degree in a natural science, such as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, or physical anthropology, is frequently required. Although there are 31 colleges and universities in the United States that offer a forensic science undergraduate degree, most students and degree programs that lead to a career in forensic science do not offer this level of specialization. If you choose to become certified, which is highly recommended, the amount of education required will be determined in part by your employer and in part by the certification board.
Certification boards require additional laboratory training to further your forensic science education. Employers frequently provide it as well. Agencies and institutions offer post-degree and post-certification training, as well as conferences and workshops that forensic scientists are encouraged to attend. The Forensic Science Research and Training Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) both provide training opportunities.