By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
Calling all CSI fans! Do you have a passion for solving puzzles? Are you intrigued by the science of crime solving?
If so, Rio Salado’s new forensic science degree program can take your career in a new direction.
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Forensic Science is for students who want to prepare for a career in the criminal justice field.
“When building our program, we were committed to developing hands-on, interactive courses that students would enjoy while being immersed in the exciting field of forensic science,” said Laura Liuzzo, Rio Salado’s faculty chair for Administration of Justice Studies and Paralegal.
The AAS degree features coursework for the crime scene specialization pathway. The program will help students develop the skills needed to collect, analyze, and interpret forensic evidence.
Specific coursework focuses on physical and biological evidence, fingerprint and photography technology, criminal and constitutional law, and crime scene investigative strategies.
Liuzzo said all of the program’s courses are taught by professionals with experience in the field.
“The instructors are highly experienced and love sharing their knowledge and passion for learning,” Liuzzo said. “In fact, many students have expressed that their forensics instructors are among the best they’ve had in college.”
Feedback from Current Students
Among the rave reviews is student Melissa Scriver who recently completed the FOR105 Forensic Science: Physical Evidence course.
“I loved that class,” Scriver said. “It was engaging and the instructor was amazing. If I was not about to graduate, I would switch my major - that is how much I enjoyed the course.”
Those sentiments are echoed by student William Boyer, who has completed several Forensic Science courses.
“Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the courses,” Boyer said. “As someone with a longstanding interest in criminal investigations, I found the assignments to be both exciting and informative.”
Boyer said the coursework even made him feel like he was an actual crime scene investigator on a case.
“Engaging in research and analysis often made me feel like a CSI investigator, which added to the whole experience,” Boyer said. “I also appreciated the expertise of the instructors, who came from local law enforcement and whose guidance was invaluable.”
Student Marilyn Waldeck is taking one of the forensic science courses to supplement her writing career. Waldeck is a 79-year-old grandmother who writes murder mysteries and is currently pursuing her associate degree at Rio Salado.
“I am taking the forensic science course because I write murder mysteries and want to put more realistic information in them,” Waldeck said. “I would love to have had this class 40 years ago but I am amazed how much I have learned.”
Forensic Science Career Fields
Successful completion of the Forensic Science degree can lead to employment in a variety of criminal justice careers, including:
- Coroners
- Detectives and criminal investigators
- Forensic science technicians
- Intelligence analysts
- Police and sheriff's patrol officers
- Police identification and records officers
Students who enroll in Rio Salado’s forensic science degree program will enjoy affordable tuition and the convenience of online learning. Classes start most Mondays, so you don’t have to wait. Financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students.
In addition, all but two classes in the forensic science program are available with zero-cost textbooks. The two classes that require textbook purchase share the same textbook.