Ball State University introduces new forensic science degree program

Ball State University has a new degree program joining its offerings this fall semester: a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science degree that has four unique concentrations built into the program: behavioral forensics, digital forensics, forensic biology, and forensic chemistry. The program is the first of its kind in the state.

According to an article on Ball State University’s website, Dr. Benjamin Gibbs, who is the chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology and the director of the new Forensic Science program, was quoted as saying of the new program offering, “The College of Sciences and Humanities is excited to offer this robust program for our students. We are already seeing significant student interest in our Fall enrollments.”

The new program, according to its webpage, “leverages strengths across five departments (biology, chemistry, computer science, criminal justice and criminology, and psychological science), applying scientific principles to crime investigation, civil litigation cases, corporate security, and government regulation enforcement.” Throughout the program, students will have opportunities to engage in internships and other clinical applications, as well as complete a capstone project. The foundational courses of the program, regardless of chosen concentration, will give students insight into and experience with criminal justice and criminology.

The behavioral forensics concentration is ideal for students who will be seeking to pursue a career in case management or victim advocacy. It relies on psychology and understanding human behavior in terms of committing crimes. The digital forensics concentration is useful for students who are interested in cybercrimes, such as cyberattacks or identity fraud. The forensic biology concentration gives students a look into collecting and analyzing biological evidence from crime scenes, such as DNA. The final concentration, forensic chemistry, involves analyzing chemical components of crime scene data to investigate crimes.

The program is available for enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester.

For more information about Ball State University, visit the school’s website.