News Release

MUNCIE — Ball State University’s College of Sciences and Humanities has announced its newest degree program: the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science.

This new offering—in line with the University’s mission of engaging students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives—will focus on the application of scientific knowledge and methods to investigate crimes, enforce government regulations, and resolve civil disputes.

“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,” said Dr. Benjamin Gibbs, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology and director of the forensic science program.

Starting this Fall, Ball State students will begin taking courses in Indiana’s only comprehensive forensic science program that offers four concentrations: behavioral forensics, digital forensics, forensic biology and forensic chemistry. Given the interdisciplinary nature of forensic science, the courses will draw from biology, chemistry, computer science, criminal justice and criminology and psychological science, built around a foundational core of criminal justice and criminology and specialized forensic science courses.

• Behavioral forensics, also known as forensic psychology, introduces students to human behavior in the context of criminal investigations. Students will be prepared for careers in probation and parole, community-based corrections, institutional corrections, case management, law enforcement and addiction counseling.

• Digital forensics experts are at the forefront of cybercrime. This program will educate students in digital evidence collection, preservation and analysis. Students will learn to collaborate with law enforcement on identity theft, assist businesses with cyber-attacks and fraud, and collect and preserve sensitive data for the future.

• Forensic biology instructs students in innovative methods and approaches to collecting and analyzing crime scene evidence. Students graduating with this concentration solve crimes using modern cellular and molecular biology tools necessary for the analysis of forensic DNA and other biological evidence.

• Forensic chemistry takes chemistry into the real world. Whether obtaining samples at a crime scene, examining evidence in a lab, or providing courtroom testimony, applied chemical analysis has an immediate impact.

Ball State’s new forensic science program serves a critical role in addressing the growing need for professionals with specialized skills to investigate, analyze, and communicate evidence in the justice system. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for forensic science technicians across the United States are projected to grow 13 percent from 2022 to 2032—much faster than the average for all occupations. An estimated 2,600 openings for forensic science technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.