Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), BS
If you’re looking for an exciting career that provides daily opportunities to contribute to the safety and security of your community, then Hilbert’s Crime Scene Investigation program can be an important step on your path to success.
Our four-year CSI degree embraces the latest technological and practical knowledge in this fast-evolving field. With an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on key crime scene investigation concepts such as evidence collection, identification and chain-of-custody procedures, our dynamic program brings your coursework to life with more than 400 hours of hands-on training and instruction.
Find out how Hilbert can help you advance your career as a capable and qualified forensic science crime scene investigator—whether you are new to the field or a veteran officer seeking to update your skills.
What Can You Do With a Forensic Science CSI Degree?
Hilbert’s forensic science degree can be the credential you need to get started in a broad range of careers in the fields of law enforcement, criminal justice and even technology. Foundational concepts in forensic science, criminal justice and psychology will prepare you for specialized knowledge in areas such as forensic photography/imagery, fingerprint evidence and bloodstain pattern analysis. You will learn about the legal system, the laws and rules of evidence, and criminal justice ethics. As a graduate of our program, you will enter the workforce ready to pursue personal and professional fulfillment in a host of jobs that allow you to make a meaningful difference in the communities you serve.
A forensic science degree from Hilbert can also serve as the foundation for advanced study leading to a master’s or doctorate degree, opening up even more opportunities to advance to senior leadership positions, teach at the college level or go into research.
Benefits of a Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation
If you are wondering if a forensic science CSI degree is worth it, the answer for many is an enthusiastic yes. Here are just a few of the benefits of earning a crime scene investigator forensic science degree:
- Job security. CSI’s play a critical role in public safety. Their specialized skills and knowledge enable law enforcement to effectively investigate and solve crimes, and assist the legal system in prosecuting perpetrators. These specialized skills make CSI’s valuable to employers at every level—federal, state and local.
Diverse job opportunities. The field of forensic science offers something for everyone. Common forensic science CSI disciplines include crime scene evidence collection, photography, bloodstain pattern analysis and fingerprint examination. - Career advancement. Forensic scientists enjoy many opportunities for career advancement. Beyond simply moving up to senior roles within their initial careers, CSI professionals may choose to specialize in an area such as crime scene photography or bloodstain pattern analysis, or pursue advanced degrees that can allow them to teach others about the trade.
- Exciting work. CSI’s work to solve crimes—an exciting job that takes them from crime scenes to law and courtrooms, as they collect evidence to seek justice.
Why Choose Hilbert for Your Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science: CSI Degree?
Hilbert’s CSI degree program is distinguished by the experience and expertise of our faculty, many of whom have worked in criminal justice for 25 years or more and have earned advanced degrees. Our professors have worked as special agents, detectives and forensic investigators, and come from the ranks of the FBI, New York State Police, county sheriff’s departments, and local police departments.
But our expert faculty is only the start. Hilbert also offers you:
- Small class sizes that guarantee you face time with your professors
- More than 400 classroom hours of hands-on forensic training
- Exciting internship opportunities with law enforcement agencies and investigators—which commonly lead to job offers for our graduates
- Academic skills workshops, one-on-one tutoring, learning strategies instruction and academic counseling to help you perform at your best
- A dedicated Office of Career Development providing resources, knowledge and strategies to help you achieve your career potential
- More than 25 student organizations, clubs and honor societies, plus intramural and club sports.
Specialize Your Forensic Science Degree With the 4+1 Program
Hilbert’s innovative combined 4+1 BS/MS program lets students earn a Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation bachelor’s degree along with a master’s degree in criminal justice administration in five years.
Students are admitted to the program after completing all undergraduate degree requirements, without needing to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Students begin taking graduate-level courses during their final year of undergraduate study, then complete program requirements in the fifth year.
Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation Career Paths
A forensic science degree focused on crime scene investigation can open the door to a variety of career opportunities, including:
- Accident investigator
- Arson investigator
- Bloodstain pattern analyst
- Crime scene investigator
- Crime scene photographer
- Fingerprint technician
- Special agent
- Firearms examiner
- Document examiner
- Trace evidence examiner
In addition, recent Hilbert graduates are enrolled in graduate programs at Hilbert, Syracuse University, New Haven University and other institutions.
What Is the Typical Salary for Those with a Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science: CSI?
The Forensic Science: CSI degree program at Hilbert College can help you build a foundation to pursue a variety of careers. Following are median salaries for some of those roles:
Median Annual Salary: $58,000**
Median Annual Salary: $61,930*
Median Annual Salary: $69,260*
Median Annual Salary: $77,000**
Median Annual Salary: $69,260*
Median Annual Salary: $93,970*
*Salary info based on data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Salary info based on data compiled by Payscale
Crime Scene Investigator Forensic Science Job Outlook
The job outlook for CSI degree holders is promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of forensic scientists to grow 11% between 2021 and 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations (5%). Drivers of this growth include additional hiring of forensic science technicians by state and local governments to process their high caseloads, as well as scientific and technological advances that are expected to increase the availability and reliability of objective forensic information used as evidence in trials.
In addition, U.S. News & World Report ranks “forensic science technician” at #5 on its list of Best Science Jobs for 2022 owing to its high earning potential (largely dependent on geographic location), the diverse array of career possibilities available in forensic science and the relatively low stress level reported by forensic science technicians in the field today.
Factors for Employment (& Acceptance in the Program)
Factors for internships and employment are agency-dependent considerations. Students have some control over and should be aware of these factors to be employable in the CJ/FS fields.
- Vision requirements
- Physical fitness requirements
- Tattoo visibility
- Social media posts
- Completion of drug testing, polygraph examinations, psychological screening, physical and medical examinations
- Background checks
- drug usage
- criminal history
- driving records
- credit history
- personal associations
- and/or past work performance
Prior misdemeanor and/or felony conviction may impede a student’s ability to participate in an internship experience as well as gain employment.
Physical Fitness
Students must be able to physically lift 25 pounds, maneuver through tight spaces, stand, bend, crawl and kneel. Student must also possess fine and gross motor skills along with functional use of the senses of touch and vision that allow them to focus a microscope with fine adjustment and handle delicate items with forceps. Students must be able to complete practical exercises within specific time constraints as determined by the instructors as being sufficient.
Law Abiding
Prior misdemeanor and/or felony conviction may impede a student’s ability to participate in an internship experience as well as gain employment.
*Technical Standards are included in the requirement to complete the program/graduate.
All employment opportunities that the forensic science departments become aware of are posted to our social media sites. Students can also use the services of our Office of Career Development to prepare for and conduct a career search.
Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science Curriculum
The Forensic Science: CSI degree curriculum offers an interdisciplinary course of study that focuses on the proper identification, collection and chain-of-custody procedures of evidence and its use in the criminal justice system. Coursework includes forensic psychology, crime scene photography, laws and rules regarding evidence, bloodstain pattern analysis, fingerprint evidence and more. All of this coursework is embedded in a well-balanced, liberal arts–based scientific bachelor’s degree that includes more than 400 hours of hands-on training and instruction
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduates of Hilbert’s forensic science degree for crime scene investigators may pursue a variety of exciting careers, each offering competitive salaries and growth potential. Jobs that Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science: CSI degree holders can pursue include crime scene investigator, crime scene photographer, bloodstain pattern analyst, accident investigator, arson investigator, fingerprint technician and many more.
The median annual salary for professionals holding a bachelor’s degree in forensic science from a U.S. higher education institution was about $63,000 as of January 2023, according to Payscale.
Most students complete our Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation degree program in four years or less. Full-time students with eligible transfer credits may be able to complete the program sooner. In addition, Hilbert offers the innovative combined bachelor’s/master’s program, a “4+1” plan that lets students earn a bachelor’s degree in forensic science: crime scene investigation and a master’s in criminal justice administration in five years.
Our forensic science degree offers many benefits, from job security and the opportunity to make a difference to diverse career paths and opportunities to advance your career. The specialized skills and knowledge you will gain on your way to becoming a forensic science crime scene investigator will make you an invaluable resource to law enforcement and the criminal justice system as you apply your curious mind and love of science to the protection and good of society.
Contact Us
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Laura Dannebohm
Chair, Division of Law and JusticeAssociate Professor
