Ball State Trains Students for Critical Careers in Forensic Science

Samantha Blankenship / Ball State University

When Ball State University unveiled its bachelor of science in forensic science program in fall 2024, it marked a significant achievement for both the university and the East Central Indiana region. It is the first comprehensive forensic science program in the state and is expected to help meet the growing demand for a workforce trained to tackle modern investigative challenges.

Ball State’s program comes at a time when forensic science has seen a surge in public interest, partly fueled by media but also due to its critical role in modern law enforcement and criminal justice systems. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for forensic science technicians across the country is projected to grow some 13% by 2032.

“This is a field that is growing. It is a field where there is a clear need for people who are trained in these various tasks,” says Richard Petts, associate dean of Ball State University’s College of Sciences and Humanities and a professor of sociology. “The value of this program for our students and for the workforce is that our students will really get the specialized skills that the workforce needs in these various arenas.”

Paths to Pick

The Ball State program offers four tracks that allow students to specialize in a specific area – forensic biology, forensic chemistry, digital forensics and behavioral forensics. Students enrolled in the program explore a mix of biology, chemistry and criminal justice through courses that include forensic analysis, criminal investigation and human toxicology.

“Our specialized program with these concentrations gives students a leg up in the industry,” Petts says. “They’re able to specialize in a specific aspect of forensic science that they’re excited about and that they’re passionate about, and that’s going to give them an advantage in the job market as well as help meet the growing demands in this field.”

Hands-on Learning for Students

The program also emphasizes hands-on and experiential learning, with state-of-the-art laboratories and partnerships with regional law enforcement agencies.

“Just a few months ago, I went down to the criminal justice department, and there was a room that had plastic all over the walls. It was a mock crime scene, and the forensic science students were investigating the mock crime scene. Experiences like that happen with some regularity,” Petts says. “As with most if not all programs at Ball State, there are immersive learning components to the forensic science program, where students have the opportunity to partner with local community organizations to get those hands-on learning experiences.”