The Top Five Schools for Medical Examiner Training

University of Central Florida

• The University of Central Florida offers a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic science. Students are prepared for a career in criminalistics through courses at the School of Chemistry. There are two forensic science degree tracks: biochemistry and analysis. According to the UCF course description, students are taught how to collect evidence, perform an investigation on their findings, as well as how to prepare and present their conclusions in court.

  University of Central Florida

  4000 Central Florida Boulevard

  Chemistry Building (CH) 117

  Orlando, FL 32816

  407-823-2246

  chemistry.cos.ucf.edu

University of Mississippi

• There are only five undergrad chemistry programs in the United States that are accredited and recognized by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. The University of Mississippi has one of them---a Bachelor of Science in forensic chemistry. The B.S. in forensic science is one of the four chemistry-based undergraduate degrees offered at the University of Mississippi. There is an idea forum and career assistance programs in place.

  University of Mississippi

  Chemistry and Biochemistry

  University, MS 38677

  662-915-7301

  olemiss.edu

Michigan State University

• Michigan State University's School of Criminal Justice has offered a forensic science major since 1946, making it the longest running forensic science program in the United States. The school also offers masters programs in forensic biology, forensic chemistry and forensic anthropology. The School of Criminal Justice keeps up-to-date laboratories where students learn to analyze evidence. The forensic science program also prepares students for the investigative and legal aspects of the career.

  Students can pursue internships with the School of Criminal Justice, where they can get hands-on laboratory experience before entering the field.

  Forensic Science Program-School of Criminal Justice

  Michigan State University

  560A Baker Hall

  East Lansing, MI 48824

  517-353-7133

  forensic.msu.edu

Pennsylvania State University

• Penn State offers an undergraduate degree in forensic science, a forensic science master's degree program and a continuing education program through which professionals can attend seminars and workshops. The program is designed to teach students the procedures necessary to be part of an investigational team. Many departments work together to lead students down a forensic science path, including the College of Agricultural Sciences, College of Health and Human Development and the Eberly College of Science.

  Penn State Eberly College of Science

  517 Thomas Building

  University Park, PA 16802

  814-865-9591

  forensics.psu.edu

Virginia Commonwealth University

• The forensic department at Virginia Commonwealth University offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. Accredited since 2005 by the Forensic Science Educational Programs Accreditation Commission, VCU's programs offer hundreds of majors within the forensic chemistry and biology departments. VCU's forensic department, in conjunction with the University of West England, offers students the opportunity to travel abroad.

  Virginia Commonwealth University

  P.O. Box 843079

  1020 W. Main Street

  Richmond, VA 23284

  804-828-8420

  has.vcu.edu