Forensics Science student and professor, Hamline University

Forensic Science Major (BA, BS)

Learn about crime scenes, criminal investigations, and how to untangle evidence with Hamline's forensic science degree programs—the only ones of their kind in Minnesota. With our Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science forensic science degrees, you'll gain practical, hands-on skills in our forensic laboratory to develop your strength in chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and beyond to make sure no piece of evidence goes unused.

Hamline's forensic science students pair investigative techniques and data analysis with critical thinking and verbal and written communication skills that are essential for the constantly-evolving forensic science disciplines. Our graduates are renowned for their professional-level career skills and have applied their talents in fields from law enforcement to cybersecurity.

Our expert faculty constantly expand our course offerings to integrate cutting-edge research into our courses, and we're committed to your training as a professional forensic expert. We ensure every student has the opportunity to translate classroom learning and mock casework into direct experience through an internship at crime labs, research institutions, and more.

Student research opportunities

At Hamline, students participate in research with faculty as early as their first year, something usually reserved for graduate students at other institutions. You'll design and conduct your own research project based on your individual interests and goals.

The list of possible research projects is as varied as our students. For example, picture yourself:

  • Collecting, analyzing and interpreting evidence and data for use in criminal investigations and court proceedings
  • Conducting research to address scientific underpinnings of forensic methodologies and the validity of methods being applied to criminal investigations, including chemometrics, environmental effects on DNA, feature occurrence in pattern evidence, and trace evidence examinations of tape
  • Investigating mock crime scenes on campus, preparing technical reports, and delivering mock testimony about your case
  • Engaging with working forensic scientists during internships to gain practical experience in crime labs and investigative agencies

It was amazing to explore all the different disciplines and find out what I like, what I don't like. Once I started doing fingerprints and firearms, I realized how cool it was to do the comparisons. When you're able to make that match of one fingerprint to another, it's satisfying to be able to do it with confidence."

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Carissa Rootes

Internships for forensic science students

We make sure you leave Hamline with work experience in the field of forensic science on your resume—and the opportunities are endless. Whether you want to explore a career in a crime lab, cybersecurity, law enforcement, analytical chemistry, or more, we have internship opportunities for you.

Past forensic science students' internships include:

  • Anoka County Sheriff's Office, investigations intern
  • Defense Forensic Science Center, research associate
  • Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, medical examiner intern
  • Midwest Medical Examiner's Office, medical examiner intern
  • Mayo Clinic Medical Examiner’s Office, forensic pathology intern
  • Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Epstein-Rhodes Forensic Science Service intern
  • Ramsey County Sheriff's Department, Criminal Investigations Unit intern
  • Saint Paul Police Department, Forensic Services Unit intern
  • Tri County Regional Forensic Laboratory, latent fingerprint intern

Explore career opportunities

Our innovative courses and one-on-one mentoring by faculty will give you the tools to succeed in a variety of jobs, such as:

  • Crime scene analyst
  • DNA analyst
  • Evidence technician
  • Firearms examiner
  • Forensic drug chemist
  • Latent fingerprint examiner
  • Trace evidence examiner
  • Death investigator

And you can explore careers in many different fields, such as: 

  • Analytical chemistry
  • Cybersecurity
  • Environmental forensics
  • Laboratory quality assurance
  • Law enforcement
Staged Crime Scene outside Old Main
December 6 2022 / Newsroom

Instructional Crime Scene Prepares Students for Real-World Challenges

Few things would bring anyone out into a November snowstorm at 1 a.m., but on Nov. 16, more than a dozen Hamline forensic science students were called out to investigate a staged crime scene on campus.