Crime Scene Investigator Education Requirements And Courses

Crime Scene Investigator Education Requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, crime scene investigators don't need a college education. The most common degree for crime scene investigators is bachelor's degree with 62% graduates, with only 21% crime scene investigator graduates earning associate degree. Crime scene investigators who decided to graduate from college often finish Florida State University or University of Phoenix. Some good skills to have in this position include physical evidence, criminal justice and law enforcement agencies.

Popular crime scene investigator certifications include Certified Crime Scene Investigator, Crime Scene Certification, or Professional Certified Investigator (PCI). To improve crime scene investigator qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in crime scene investigator education paths.

What education do you need to become a crime scene investigator?

What degree do you need to be a crime scene investigator?

The most common degree for crime scene investigators is bachelor's degree, with 62% of crime scene investigators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 21% and associate degree degree at 9%.

Bachelor's, 62%

Associate, 21%

Master's, 9%

High School Diploma, 3%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a crime scene investigator?

You should major in criminal justice to become a crime scene investigator. 48% of crime scene investigators major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a crime scene investigator include business and law enforcement.

Criminal Justice, 48%

Business, 9%

Law Enforcement, 8%

Criminology, 5%

Other Majors, 30%

Best majors for crime scene investigators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Criminal Justice	48.1%
2	Business	9.5%
3	Law Enforcement	8.0%
4	Criminology	5.3%
5	Biology	4.2%

Show more common crime scene investigator majors

20 best online courses for crime scene investigators

Advertising Disclosure

1. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes

‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...

See More on Coursera

2. Introduction to International Criminal Law

-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...

See More on Coursera

3. Criminology and Criminal Psychology Certified CSI+ Course

4.2

(339)

Learn Criminal Law and Start your career with certification of Criminal Law and Criminal Psychology, Learn Criminology...

See More on Udemy

4. Digital Forensics and Cyber-Crime Investigation

4.2

(255)

Computer Forensics...

See More on Udemy

5. Hot Topics in Criminal Justice

The American criminal justice system is in need of reform. We incarcerate too many people. We pay insufficient attention to scientific advances that can help separate out the most and least culpable and dangerous. We grant the police far too much power to use force and technological surveillance. As a way of thinking about dealing with these problems, this course examines two over-arching issues: What should we do with people who have committed crime, and how should we identify who they are? On...

See More on Coursera

6. Cyber Crime Analyst Part 1

(250)

Types of Cyber Crime...

See More on Udemy

7. Psychology of Criminal Behaviour & Criminology - ACCREDITED

4.4

(516)

Personality Disorders, Violence, Sex Offence, Murder, and other types of crime...

See More on Udemy

8. Introduction to Criminology: Explaining Crime

4.5

(2,043)

Learn to Speak About Criminal Psychology and the Sociology of Crime Like an Expert...

See More on Udemy

9. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+

4.1

(943)

Learn digital forensics and be computer forensics investigator / Certificate after completing course / DFMC+ / DFIR 2023...

See More on Udemy

10. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course

4.6

(414)

A 2 hour fast track summary of Criminal Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...

See More on Udemy

Average crime scene investigator salary by education level

According to our data, crime scene investigators with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $74,311 annually. Crime scene investigators with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $69,375.

Crime Scene Investigator education level	Crime Scene Investigator salary
Master's Degree	$74,311
High School Diploma or Less	$47,513
Bachelor's Degree	$69,375
Some College/ Associate Degree	$53,322