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Forensic careers extend well beyond work dramatized in the television series, “CSI”, and continued training might be required. When looking into forensic science online degree materials, those interested will find that by opting for online college classes and online degree and certificate programs, existing forensic specialists and those seeking to enter the field or add another dimension to a profession can continue work and other responsibilities without interruption.

With online college offerings, students work on their own time and in their own space without compromising work and their other responsibilities. They can access online college classes and online degree programs from the workplace cafeteria during lunch, out in the field on a break or at home while the children are napping. They have a wide variety of forensic degree programs and classes from which to choose, can in some instances conduct lab work on line, and can opt for forensic concentrations and certificate programs.

A forensic scientist works to determine facts and the truth; when that individual uses scientific knowledge to help juries, attorneys and judges understand that science, he or she becomes a forensic scientist, according to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. There really is much more to this science than this, however, as even a quick look at criminal justice programs information will show.

There are forensic specialists in fields such as medicine, engineering, physical anthropology and digital and multimedia sciences, according to the the Colorado-based Academy reports. Perhaps not surprisingly, then, more than 200 undergraduate and graduate forensic degree programs and the like are available to traditional and online degree-seeking students enrolling in United States colleges and universities.

Forensic Science classes provide an introduction to the science and its scope. Degree programs are available in Forensic DNA and Serology, Forensic Science and Forensic Toxicology, Forensic Psychology, Environmental Forensics and Computer Forensics. Where a Forensic Biology program explores blood and body fluid lab tests used in crime investigations, Computer Forensics addresses computer and network security and collecting and analyzing computer evidence. Students can also enroll in traditional or online degrees in other subject areas with forensic science concentrations, as well as in forensic certificate programs designed for those who have already obtained traditional or online degrees. Nurses enrolling in a Forensic Nursing Certificate program available online can learn to treat crime survivors and work with detectives on crime scene and accident investigations.

The “CSI” television series spurred an interest in forensic degrees, and chemistry labs and criminal justice programs became perceived as “cool,” according to 2003 reports from the Associated Press, the Washington Post and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. According to CBS News, colleges and universities described forensic science as their fastest growing program or said they had established new forensic degree programs, concentrations, majors and minors. Another college reported that its existing forensic degree program’s enrollment increased tenfold in only four years, CBS News detailed.

But science courses typically involve laboratory time and, into 2006, online college classes and online degree programs in science weren’t so much a part of the growing distance learning trend, according to an article in Science Daily.

Simulated labs and virtual experiments are part of some online science classes and online criminal justice program options. Some online college forensic degree and certificate programs and classes for criminal justice careers and other degrees require use of workplace labs; other programs (“hybrid” varieties) require spending time, such as a weekend, at the campus lab.