Preparing for a career as a forensic science technician ideally starts by earning good grades in high school. A well-rounded plan of study will help you attain needed skills in communication, critical thinking, problem solving and data analysis. Ask one of your science teachers what grade do you take forensic science in high school because your school may have science prerequisites for forensic science courses that you might need to take your freshman or sophomore year.
Above average high school grades can help you get into a good forensic science school and then excel in your undergraduate studies. Although top grades are best when it comes to impressing future employers, middling scores don't mean you can't have a career in the forensic sciences. However, grades below a "C" or an overall low grade point average can keep you from earning a degree and realizing your career goals.
Along with knowledge of the criminal justice system, forensic science technicians need a solid foundation in math, biology, chemistry and physics, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some high schools offer forensic science high school courses online or in person. At Sharyland Pioneer High School, for example, forensic science high school lesson plans give students an opportunity to apply their knowledge of math and science to analyze evidence in the lab collected from simulated crime scenes.
Advertisement Article continues below this adThe Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission, under the auspices of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), evaluates forensic science education at the undergraduate and graduate level. Plan to attend an FEPAC-accredited school listed on the AAFS website.
As a forensic scientist, you might work primarily in a crime laboratory, but you'll work closely with various law enforcement officials, attorneys and representatives from government agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Expect to undergo and pass a background check for a forensic science job.
If you're pursuing a career in the forensic sciences, focus on obtaining your undergraduate degree in one of the sciences related to the field if your school doesn't offer a specific forensic science major, which is often the case. Suggested classes include biology, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology. If your goal is to eventually become a crime lab DNA analyst, you must take courses in biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics. You're also likely to have coursework in quantitative analysis.
Advertisement Article continues below this adSome colleges and universities offer postbaccalaureate forensic science certificates for students who hold a bachelor's degree in science. For example, Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota offers such a credential geared to those who already have a degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or anthropology. Other science-related majors may be considered. All applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA from a regionally accredited postsecondary school to be eligible for admission. Students accepted into the program learn how to apply their laboratory skills to the analysis of forensic evidence.
If your primary career goal is law enforcement with an emphasis in forensic science, consider becoming a forensic science trainee through state police programs. Eligible candidates must have a bachelor's degree in the forensic, natural or physical sciences. To become a forensic science trainee with the Illinois State Police, for example, you must apply online to the State of Illinois job portal, make a good impression at an interview, pass a background investigation and completing training lasting between 12 and 30 months, depending on specialization.
Advertisement Article continues below this adIf you're planning to pursue graduate studies at an FEPAC-accredited university, you should have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 or a B average. In a competitive program, you'll need more than that. To enter the forensic science graduate program at the FEPAC-approved University of California at Davis, for example, you don't have to take the Graduate Record Exam, but good GRE scores can make the difference for borderline applicants.