Forensic Science (M.S.) | Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 19-4092.00

Skills

WritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningJudgment and Decision Making

Knowledge

Law and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageComputers and Electronics

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionInductive ReasoningFlexibility of ClosureNear VisionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningInformation Ordering

Tasks

Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory technique
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
Enter data into databases.
Operate drones to capture aerial footage or photographs of crime scenes for further analysis.

Technology

Graphics or photo imaging softwareData base user interface and query softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareOffice suite softwareAnalytical or scientific software

Tools

35 millimeter camerasBenchtop mixersBiohazard suitsBlood collection kitsBody fluid collection kitsBreathalyzersColored camera filtersCrime scene evidence flagsCrime scene tape measuresCyanoacrylate fuming chambersDeoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kitsDesktop computersDigital camerasDigital video camerasDistance measuring wheels

Work Values

SupportRecognitionAchievementIndependenceWorking ConditionsRelationships

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium19-4092.00	Forensic Science Technicians	title_inference	$67,440 median$110,710 top	+12.56%	260

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: advanced (Level 4)(based on Master's Degree)

Forensic science program leadership — direct unit-wide evidence collection, laboratory operations, and reporting standards to ensure consistent quality across all active cases in the agency.
Technician training and mentorship — design and deliver structured onboarding curricula and ongoing skill-development sessions that transfer forensic science techniques to new and junior staff.
Organizational policy development — author and update agency-wide protocols for evidence handling, chain-of-custody documentation, and laboratory safety aligned with accreditation requirements.
Expert testimony strategy — coach forensic staff on effective courtroom communication and serve as the agency's primary expert witness in high-profile or legally complex proceedings.
Cross-agency collaboration — represent the forensic unit in multi-jurisdictional task forces, establishing shared evidence protocols and coordinating resources with law enforcement and prosecutorial partners.
Technology evaluation and adoption — assess emerging analytical software, instrumentation, and imaging systems, leading pilot programs and recommending investments that advance laboratory capability.
Performance monitoring and systems evaluation — analyze unit-level case metrics, turnaround times, and error rates to identify systemic inefficiencies and implement process improvements.
Budget and resource oversight — manage laboratory supply procurement, equipment maintenance schedules, and staffing allocations to sustain operational readiness within fiscal constraints.
Accreditation and compliance leadership — guide the laboratory through ASCLD or equivalent accreditation cycles, ensuring all documentation, training records, and quality controls meet auditor standards.
Strategic knowledge management — develop learning strategies and institutional knowledge repositories that preserve forensic best practices and accelerate competency development across the technician workforce.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.