3 answers
Daniela
Student
Taylor, Michigan
1
Question
Updated
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What College would one suggest for a warm-blooded forensic junkie?
Hi! I'm a high-schooler looking for good colleges in the warmer states to major in CSI forensic and criminal investigation, have any suggestions?
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3 answers
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
103
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Daniela,
It is great to hear you are considering the best ways to proceed with your chosen major. It is great to go to a university that specializes in this so that you can do as much as you can with your skills afterwards. There are a few things you can consider when choosing a school. Consider if you want to stay in state or are able to go out of state. If you ever are considering going out of country, consider that you might not be able to use the degree outside of the country you gained it in. When choosing another state, be sure to see what kind of area it is. If it is in a city, you might have more accessible transportation than you would in a rural area. City life can be very exciting for some, and overwhelming for others. However, I can say that I know someone who went to a school for forensic science and gained a job in Brooklyn NYC in one of the top criminal investigation labs. New York and New Jersey have great schools that have this major and there are places with possible opportunities. They have put in the time and energy to study hard and find opportunities, which landed them the job they have now. They have been able to work on top cases that make nation wide new and have continued to get experience within the field. New York also has a lot to do that can occupy your time outside of your studies and work.
Best of luck on your journey!
It is great to hear you are considering the best ways to proceed with your chosen major. It is great to go to a university that specializes in this so that you can do as much as you can with your skills afterwards. There are a few things you can consider when choosing a school. Consider if you want to stay in state or are able to go out of state. If you ever are considering going out of country, consider that you might not be able to use the degree outside of the country you gained it in. When choosing another state, be sure to see what kind of area it is. If it is in a city, you might have more accessible transportation than you would in a rural area. City life can be very exciting for some, and overwhelming for others. However, I can say that I know someone who went to a school for forensic science and gained a job in Brooklyn NYC in one of the top criminal investigation labs. New York and New Jersey have great schools that have this major and there are places with possible opportunities. They have put in the time and energy to study hard and find opportunities, which landed them the job they have now. They have been able to work on top cases that make nation wide new and have continued to get experience within the field. New York also has a lot to do that can occupy your time outside of your studies and work.
Best of luck on your journey!
Thank you for the advice, Phill.
Daniela
Afrad Mahamed
Operations & Project Management
128
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Afrad’s Answer
That's an excellent question! Being a "warm-blooded forensic junkie" is a great way to put it. To find the right college, focus on programs that are a strong fit.
Forensic science careers often come from two main majors:
- Forensic Science (B.S.): More focused on lab work, chemistry, and biology.
- Criminal Justice (B.A.): More focused on law enforcement and investigation.
What to Look for in a Program
- Accreditation: Check for FEPAC accreditation for science-based programs.
- Hands-On Labs: Look for schools with dedicated crime scene or DNA labs.
- Internships: Seek programs with strong connections to local police and crime labs.
College Suggestions in Warmer States
Southeast
- Florida International University (FIU) - Miami, FL: Strong forensic science program in a major urban area with many internship opportunities.
- University of Central Florida (UCF) - Orlando, FL: FEPAC-accredited program with both forensic science and criminal justice majors.
Southwest
- Arizona State University (ASU) - Tempe, AZ: Offers a large criminal justice program with a forensic science certificate and a vast network for internships.
- Texas A&M University - College Station, TX: A major research university with excellent forensic science facilities and faculty.
West Coast & California
- California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) - Los Angeles, CA: One of the oldest and most respected FEPAC-accredited programs, located near major law enforcement agencies.
- University of California, Irvine (UCI) - Irvine, CA: A top-ranked criminology program that can be combined with a science major for a strong foundation.
Final Advice
Visit campuses if you can to get a feel for the environment. Consider majoring in a core science and then getting a graduate degree in forensics. Your passion is your best guide! Good luck!
Forensic science careers often come from two main majors:
- Forensic Science (B.S.): More focused on lab work, chemistry, and biology.
- Criminal Justice (B.A.): More focused on law enforcement and investigation.
What to Look for in a Program
- Accreditation: Check for FEPAC accreditation for science-based programs.
- Hands-On Labs: Look for schools with dedicated crime scene or DNA labs.
- Internships: Seek programs with strong connections to local police and crime labs.
College Suggestions in Warmer States
Southeast
- Florida International University (FIU) - Miami, FL: Strong forensic science program in a major urban area with many internship opportunities.
- University of Central Florida (UCF) - Orlando, FL: FEPAC-accredited program with both forensic science and criminal justice majors.
Southwest
- Arizona State University (ASU) - Tempe, AZ: Offers a large criminal justice program with a forensic science certificate and a vast network for internships.
- Texas A&M University - College Station, TX: A major research university with excellent forensic science facilities and faculty.
West Coast & California
- California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) - Los Angeles, CA: One of the oldest and most respected FEPAC-accredited programs, located near major law enforcement agencies.
- University of California, Irvine (UCI) - Irvine, CA: A top-ranked criminology program that can be combined with a science major for a strong foundation.
Final Advice
Visit campuses if you can to get a feel for the environment. Consider majoring in a core science and then getting a graduate degree in forensics. Your passion is your best guide! Good luck!
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Daniela
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Daniela !
I am happy to provide this information for you as I did the same relocation when I started college. I went from the North East to the warm West.
Many colleges in California offer the Forensic Sciences Major. The major for this subject is worded differently at different colleges as you'll discover when you visit their websites for more information about the programs. The one to look into first would be San José State University. Other colleges in sunny California for this major path would be University of California-Davis, National University, East Los Angeles College, Southwestern College, Riverside City College, Grossmont College, Fresno City College, and San Diego Miramar College..
How about Arizona ? Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Scottsdale Community College, and South Mountain Community College.
For Texas, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, The University of North Texas, St. Mary's University, and the University of Houston-Downtown which offers a Chemistry Major with an emphasis on forensic science.
Prefer a more tropical, humid heat ? Try Florida where you can attend The University of Central Florida, Florida State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, the University of Tampa, Palm Beach Atlantic University, St. Petersburg College for a major in Crime Scene Technology, and Lynn University for a major in Forensic Investigations.
Keep in mind that you'll have to pay out of state tuition for any of these colleges. That would be for a year until you get your 12 months residency in the state. You could possibly start with in-state tuition rates and I left the information about that for you in the links below.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
https://www.thecollegefundingcoach.org/how-out-of-state-students-can-get-in-state-tuition/
https://research.com/education/how-to-get-in-state-tuition-as-an-out-of-state-student
https://www.earnest.com/blog/in-state-tuition/
I am happy to provide this information for you as I did the same relocation when I started college. I went from the North East to the warm West.
Many colleges in California offer the Forensic Sciences Major. The major for this subject is worded differently at different colleges as you'll discover when you visit their websites for more information about the programs. The one to look into first would be San José State University. Other colleges in sunny California for this major path would be University of California-Davis, National University, East Los Angeles College, Southwestern College, Riverside City College, Grossmont College, Fresno City College, and San Diego Miramar College..
How about Arizona ? Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Scottsdale Community College, and South Mountain Community College.
For Texas, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, The University of North Texas, St. Mary's University, and the University of Houston-Downtown which offers a Chemistry Major with an emphasis on forensic science.
Prefer a more tropical, humid heat ? Try Florida where you can attend The University of Central Florida, Florida State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, the University of Tampa, Palm Beach Atlantic University, St. Petersburg College for a major in Crime Scene Technology, and Lynn University for a major in Forensic Investigations.
Keep in mind that you'll have to pay out of state tuition for any of these colleges. That would be for a year until you get your 12 months residency in the state. You could possibly start with in-state tuition rates and I left the information about that for you in the links below.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
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