Dallas College

Forensic Science


1 Certificate 1 Associate Degree

Studying Forensic Science prepares you for an entry-level career in crime scene investigation, forensic science or medicolegal death investigation. Through career-focused education and hands-on lab training, you will develop evidence handling skills and learn about investigative procedures and professional standards.

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Forensic Science at a Glance

Dallas College offers many different ways to reach your career goals. Whether you want to jump into the workforce quickly or spend more time building advanced skills, we have the programs that fit your needs and timeline.

Certificate Programs

Estimated total tuition cost2:

$3,960

Estimated time to complete1:

1 year

  • Eastfield3

Associate Degrees

Estimated total tuition cost2:

$5,940

Estimated time to complete1:

2 years

  • Eastfield3

Which Degrees and Certificates are Right for Me?

Credit Certificates

Dallas College offers credit certificates that provide focused, career-ready skills recognized by employers.

Can I Get a Job?

Dallas College offers a variety of certificates and degrees to help you gain the skills you need to start working right away.

  • These credentials are often considered Career and Technical Education (CTE).
  • These credentials are established with the assistance and cooperation of representatives from local business, to meet local and regional employment needs.
  • Higher-level certificates and degrees will typically lead to a higher salary in the workforce.
  • Workforce (CE) certificates can often be completed faster than traditional credit certificates but typically do not offer college credit.
  • Level 1, Level 2, Enhanced Skills certificates and others offer college credit and are often stackable to help you build skills as you work toward an associate degree.
  • Workforce credentials may give you college credit at Dallas College, but they may not transfer to other colleges or universities.

If you're unsure if this is the right path for you, you can talk to a pathway specialist for advice.

Pathway Specialist

Associate Degrees

Dallas College's associate degrees provide a strong academic foundation for career entry or transfer to a four-year institution.

Can I Transfer?

Our Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates may not fully transfer to a four-year college or university.

  • If your goal is to transfer, you may want to explore our Core Curriculum and Transfer Pathways.
  • You may also want to explore a transfer degree, like an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science.
  • The classes you take will count towards a bachelor's degree and are designed to be accepted by any public college or university in Texas.

If you're not sure if this is the right choice for you, you can talk to a Pathway Specialist for guidance.

Pathway Specialist

Questions About Degrees and Certificates?

We know applying to college can be confusing. If you are not yet a Dallas College student, you have a whole team of recruitment coaches to help guide you through programs and the enrollment process.

Current students, contact your success coach (advisor) who can answer any questions you have about Forensic Science programs and your degree and certificate options.

Contact a Recruitment Coach

What Can I Earn? Will There Be Plenty of Jobs?

Coronersat work

Coroners

$37/hr

Median Salary

1221

Job Openings

+11%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Coordination
  • Writing
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Active Learning
  • Complex Problem Solving
Forensic Science Techniciansat work

Forensic Science Technicians

$28/hr

Median Salary

92

Job Openings

+17%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Active Learning
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Science
  • Social Perceptiveness
Police Identification and Records Officersat work

Police Identification and Records Officers

$41/hr

Median Salary

159

Job Openings

+7%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Coordination
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Monitoring

All jobs data gathered for Dallas/Fort Worth. Source: Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence and Lightcast4.

This Area of Study centers on the Forensics Associate of Applied Science degree and the Forensic Science Technician certificate. Coursework covers crime scene and death investigation, evidence handling, documentation and forensic laboratory methods. Some required courses include in-person laboratory work at Eastfield; students should check the schedule for each term.

Students practice documenting scenes, recognizing and preserving evidence, applying introductory forensic methods and communicating investigative findings.

Find Out More About Dallas College

Sign up to receive additional information about Dallas College or call 972-669-6400.

Krista Troup, MS, D-ABMDI

Dallas College

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1Length of time is based on catalog degree plans. Prerequisites may be required, which are not included in this estimate. For most programs, full-time student status is assumed, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.

2Cost for credit courses is based on tuition rates for program hours for Dallas County residents. The price of most required learning materials (books, software, supplies, etc.) is included with the price of tuition. Certain programs may have additional costs above the standard tuition. Continuing Education courses may vary by program. Please review the Area of Study Overview and/or the Health Information Packets for additional costs and details. Visit our Paying for College site to learn more about cost, financial aid, scholarships and more.

3Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options. Not all degree and certificate offerings are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester.

4A portion of Lightcast’s data comes from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Lightcast has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Updated October 2, 2026