Public safety professionals and those interested in starting a career in public safety or law enforcement need the right knowledge and skills to remain competitive within the job market. According to Forbes, professionals who are looking for career success need to continue upskilling within their industry to meet the rapid advancements in technology and increasing demands for specialized skills. With an undergraduate certificate in crime scene investigation, you can continue to build your skills in forensic science and contribute to public safety.
What Is a CSI Certificate?
An undergraduate certificate in crime scene investigation (CSI) can help you learn about the different processes law enforcement uses within forensic science, including evidence processing, criminal procedure, and fingerprint analysis.
“A CSI certificate provides foundational knowledge of forensic science and CSI techniques, experience with evidence collection and analysis, and a credential to make you a more competitive job candidate,” says Susan Blankenship, collegiate professor of criminal justice and investigative forensics at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). “A CSI certificate could benefit professionals in related fields, such as attorneys, judges, evidence technicians, and nurses. The specialized knowledge gained could enhance their understanding of forensic evidence in their respective roles.”
Police officers, detectives, and other law enforcement personnel could benefit from earning a CSI certificate to expand their existing skillset and gain specialized knowledge in evidence collection and preservation. Professionals interested in entering the field of forensics could also find the certificate valuable, allowing them to earn a credential in the field quickly.
"Even those already working in crime scene investigation could benefit from a certificate program,” says Blankenship. “It allows them to stay up to date on the latest techniques and technologies, fulfill continuing education requirements, and potentially qualify for career advancement opportunities.”
What Can You Do with a CSI Certificate?
Forensic science is a high-demand field that continues to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 14 percent from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
For those interested in entry-level positions, a certificate in CSI could help prepare you for job titles including crime scene technician, fingerprint analyst, forensic science technician, crime scene photographer, and evidence room manager.
With additional training or experience, a certificate in CSI could prepare you for more specialized roles such as blood spatter analyst, digital forensics expert, arson investigator, trace evidence examiner, or firearms examiner. CSI skills can also translate to related fields in healthcare, criminal justice, psychology, or computer science.
“A CSI certificate is an excellent complement to a criminal justice degree and provides students with a strong foundation in both the legal and practical aspects of crime scene investigation, enhancing their understanding of the entire criminal justice process,” says Blankenship. “Pairing a psychology degree with a CSI certificate can also be particularly beneficial for those interested in forensic psychology or criminal profiling, which helps students understand the psychological aspects of criminal behavior while gaining practical skills in evidence collection and analysis.”
Why Choose UMGC for an Undergraduate Certificate in CSI?
UMGC offers the only online undergraduate CSI certificate in the state of Maryland. The program is open to all students, including those just starting out at UMGC. In addition, UMGC continues to introduce innovative technology, such as Virtual Reality (VR), to its classes. VR crime scenes are used in UMGC’s certificate in CSI classes to give students realistic and hands-on experience that they can apply in the real world.
“Our courses are designed, updated, and delivered by professionals with real-world experience in the field,” says Blankenship. “This ensures that the curriculum reflects the latest developments in crime scene investigation, keeping our classes at UMGC relevant and up to date.”
The curricula at UMGC are continuously updated with input from professionals who currently work in the field, including crime scene investigators, death investigators, and forensic laboratory personnel. This collaborative approach ensures that courses remain highly relevant to current industry practices.
“With input from professionals, students gain the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required to excel in real-world investigative roles,” says Blankenship. “By aligning coursework with industry needs, UMGC prepares students for successful careers in crime scene investigation and related fields.”
While the CSI field doesn’t require specific industry credentials, the International Association of Identification (IAI) offers some certifications that can be completed after a minimum of one year of experience in the industry.
“Once a CSI has that one year of experience, I highly recommend that they obtain their certification through the IAI,” says Blankenship.
Students interested in earning a degree in the field can explore the different degrees within public safety at UMGC, such as criminal justice, legal studies, and homeland security. If you are or have recently been a career law enforcement officer, UMGC has created a specialized bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a generous transfer credit policy that includes credit for law enforcement experience and police academy graduation.
Crime scene investigation is an ever-changing and challenging field that can help you boost your expertise within the industry. UMGC can help you prepare to succeed in this exciting field and connect with network professionals.
Reference on this webpage to any third-party entity or product does not constitute or imply endorsement by UMGC nor does it constitute or imply endorsement of UMGC by the third party.
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