Which Forensic Science Schools Are in Utah?

Find schools in Utah offering forensic science programs and classes. Learn about career requirements and get job growth and salary information for forensic science technicians in Utah. Schools offering Forensic Science degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

Education and Career Information for Forensic Science Technicians in Utah

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), many forensic science technicians begin their careers with a bachelor's degree in forensic science. If you intend to pursue a strictly laboratory-based career, you may also find entry-level positions available if you have a bachelor's degree in a related area of science, such as chemistry. Some forensic science technicians work in criminal investigations and may be required to go through the same training as a police officer. The BLS noted that the annual mean wage for forensic science technicians in Utah as of May 2011 was about $46,000 and there were only 150 of these professionals employed at the time. A job growth prediction from the BLS stated that between 2010 and 2020, the field could show an increase of 19% throughout the U.S.

Associate's Degree Program in Forensic Science in Utah

Weber State University

  • Program: Associate in Science in Criminal Justice
  • Program Length: 60 credit hours
  • Tuition and Fees: In-state $4,548 per year, out-of-state $12,260 per year (2011-2012)
  • School Type: 4-year, public, undergraduate population over 24,600
  • Address: College of Social & Behavioral Science, 1206 University Circle, Ogden, UT 84408
  • Phone: 801-626-6146

Although this isn't a program that focuses entirely on forensic science, it does include a forensic science introductory course. The class covers areas such as identification techniques and chemical processes involved in analyzing physical evidence. Other required core classes focus on evidence, investigation and criminal law. You can also choose a field internship with a criminal justice agency in your curriculum through your elective options. You may be able to apply some of your credits towards a bachelor's degree program if you choose to further your education.

Bachelor's Degree Program in Forensic Science in Utah

Southern Utah University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science
  • Field of Study Options: Biology, chemistry, computer science or criminal justice
  • Program Length: 120-129 credit hours
  • Tuition and Fees: In-state $5,198 per year, out-of-state $15,910 per year (2011-2012)
  • School Type: 4-year, public, undergraduate population about 7,200, graduate population approximately 7,800
  • Address: 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  • Phone: 435-586-7700

This school offers different approaches to forensic science, and you can start from the science perspective or the forensic angle. Your actual degree will be in biology, chemistry, computer science or criminal justice (which also offers a Bachelor of Arts degree). From there, you'll add an emphasis in forensic science to your plan of study. All of these combinations require you to participate in a fieldwork experience to complete your program.

Utah Valley University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science
  • Program Length: 121 credit hours
  • Tuition and Fees: In-state $4,584 per year, out-of-state $13,240 per year (2011-2012)
  • School Type: 4-year, public, undergraduate population about 33,200
  • Address: 800 W. University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84058
  • Phone: 801-863-7230

Your core classes in this program will cover areas such as the laws of evidence, criminal investigations and practices and procedures for professional witnesses. You'll also be required to carry a chemistry-heavy course load that's balanced with applications, such as tire and footwear imprint analysis, crime scene investigation techniques and trace analysis. You can fine-tune your program through electives that include subjects such as computer forensics and cyber-crime, bloodstain pattern analysis, forensic geology or internship programs. Forensic science is also available as a 24-credit-hour minor.

Weber State University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
  • Field of Study Options: Forensic science I/laboratory, forensic science II/investigation
  • Program Length: 120 credit hours
  • Tuition and Fees: In-state $4,548 per year, out-of-state $12,260 per year (2011-2012)
  • School Type: 4-year, public, undergraduate population over 24,600
  • Address: College of Social & Behavioral Science, 1206 University Circle, Ogden, UT 84408
  • Phone: 801-626-6146

The laboratory emphasis was designed to prepare you for the in-house analysis aspect of this profession, and you'll need to have a double major in criminal justice and botany, chemistry, zoology or microbiology. The core requirements for the laboratory emphasis are 14 credit hours in forensic science with one class in evidence law. The investigation emphasis can prepare you for fieldwork and evidence gathering positions. The core requirements for the investigation emphasis are 30 credit hours of study in areas such as search and seizure, crime scene photography and advanced methods in forensic science. Students in both emphases are encouraged to participate in a volunteer internship program in their senior year.

Master's Degree Program in Forensic Science in Utah

Southern Utah University

  • Program: Master of Science in Forensic Science
  • Field of Study Options: Biology, chemistry, computer science information systems, psychology or criminal justice
  • Program Length: 30-31 credit hours
  • Tuition: In-state $5,093 per year, out-of-state $16,808 per year (2011-2012)
  • Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in related field, letter of intent, 3 recommendation letters or forms, GRE/MAT/GMAT/LSAT scores
  • School Type: 4-year, public, undergraduate population about 7,200, graduate population approximately 7,800
  • Address: 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  • Phone: 435-586-7700

You can choose a thesis or project format for this program. Your core classes require you to choose five classes from overviews of the emphasis options or you can substitute one for a class in forensic law. Your emphasis will require 11-12 credit hours of study in areas such as serial and mass murder investigations, forensic biochemistry, forensic toxicology, cyber-crime, forensic firearms examination and psychology of criminal behavior. Several of the emphases allow you to participate in an internship for credit.

To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:

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