Field of Interest
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Forensic Science provides the student with a specialization in forensic investigation as it relates to crime. The curriculum presents a specialized scope of knowledge about photography, collection and preservation of evidence, and investigative strategies. The program provides students with an important knowledge base for investigative specialization in a wide range of disciplines and careers. This degree pathway also provides students with the opportunity to complete two Certificates of Completion (CCL) in Crime Scene Investigation, and Fingerprint Identification and Photography.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Behavioral Science and Human Services
- Type
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
- Academic Plan
- Forensic Science (DEG)
- Academic Plan Code
- 3183
- Total Credits Required
- 60-64
- Catalog Year
- 2025-2026
- Effective Term
- Fall 2024
- Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Synthesize multiple sources of information to make timely assessments.
- Solve problems through logical and sound reasoning.
- Communicate orally, visually and in writing precisely, appropriately, and effectively to varied audiences.
- Communicate in the language common to the criminal justice system.
- Collaborate with diverse agencies, community representatives and individuals to achieve common goals.
- Apply the principles and processes of criminal and constitutional law, criminology theory, knowledge of the functions and components of the criminal justice system, and current issues to criminal justice operations.
- Use technology to collect, analyze and communicate data.
- Practice professional standards appropriate to the field of criminal justice.
- Subscribe to and practice ethical behavior appropriate to the field of criminal justice.
- Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this degree may lead to
employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related
occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for
this degree. Education requirements vary for the
occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some
of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program
director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding
education level, wages, and employment information.
Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$31.48
Annual Median Wage
$65,499
Number of People Employed
8,196
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 7.0 %
Investigate alleged or suspected criminal violations of Federal, state, or local laws to determine if evidence is sufficient to recommend prosecution.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$43.79
Annual Median Wage
$91,087
Number of People Employed
1,304
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 6.1 %
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$43.63
Annual Median Wage
$90,755
Number of People Employed
1,289
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 6.6 %
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Typical Education Level
a certificate
Hourly Median Wage
$32.75
Annual Median Wage
$68,140
Number of People Employed
567
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 10.9 %
Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$43.63
Annual Median Wage
$90,755
Number of People Employed
1,289
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 6.6 %
Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$42.88
Annual Median Wage
$89,203
Number of People Employed
8,087
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 10.3 %
Conduct investigations to prevent crimes or solve criminal cases.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$43.79
Annual Median Wage
$91,087
Number of People Employed
1,304
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 6.1 %
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
Typical Education Level
an Associate degree
Hourly Median Wage
$43.63
Annual Median Wage
$90,755
Number of People Employed
1,289
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 6.6 %
Patrol assigned area to enforce laws and ordinances, regulate traffic, control crowds, prevent crime, and arrest violators.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$36.18
Annual Median Wage
$75,273
Number of People Employed
7,008
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 11.3 %
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
Typical Education Level
a high school diploma or less
Hourly Median Wage
$55.71
Annual Median Wage
$115,886
Number of People Employed
1,286
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 11.4 %
* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data,
reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s
proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers
including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Pathway Map Options
There are multiple options available for this pathway map.
These options vary depending on the locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.
These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework
may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of
courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below.
The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.
The list of courses below has been updated
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device,
some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this
page on a device with a larger screen.
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Term 1
Term 1
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
AJS101 |
Introduction to Criminal Justice |
|
Critical course
Gateway course
|
SB |
3 |
AJS215 or AJS219 or FOR105 |
Criminalistics: Physical Evidence or Crime Scene Technology: Physical Evidence or Forensic Science: Physical Evidence |
|
Critical course
|
None or SQ |
3–4 |
ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL |
Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).View requisites |
Critical course
|
FYC or FYC |
3 |
Math Requirement |
Math Requirement |
|
|
|
3–5 |
FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success |
|
|
|
1–3 |
MAT140 or MAT41 or MAT42 |
College Mathematics or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions |
Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103 or MAT114 or MAT115. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair.View requisites |
or Higher course with an [MA] general education designation
|
MA or MA or MA |
3–5 |
MAT150 or MAT151 or MAT152 |
College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair.View requisites |
or Higher course with an [MA] general education designation
|
MA or MA or MA |
3–5 |
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Term 4
Term 4
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
Specialization Coursework |
Specialization Coursework |
|
|
|
3–4 |
Specialization Coursework |
Specialization Coursework |
|
|
|
3–4 |
Specialization Coursework |
Specialization Coursework |
|
|
|
3–4 |
Specialization Coursework |
Specialization Coursework |
|
|
|
3–4 |
Elective |
Elective Course |
|
|
|
0–3 |
AJS214 |
Evidence Technology/Photography |
|
|
|
3 |
AJS260 |
Procedural Criminal Law |
|
|
|
3 |
CIS105 or BPC110 or AJS+++++ |
Survey of Computer Information Systems or Computer Usage and Applications |
|
Any AJS Administration of Justice Studies course not listed in the required courses area
|
CS or CS or None |
3 |
NS or Elective |
Natural Sciences area or Elective |
|
An Elective may be selected if FOR105 or FOR106 was selected. Recommend CHM130/LL, CHM151/LL, FOR105 or FOR106
|
|
4 |
CHM152 |
General Chemistry II |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.View requisites |
|
SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL |
3 |
CHM152LL |
General Chemistry II Laboratory |
Prerequisites or Corequisites: CHM152.View requisites |
|
SQ in combo w/ CHM152 |
1 |
FOR286 |
Principles of Forensic Science |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BIO181 or BIO181XT) and [(CHM150 or CHM151) and CHM151LL], or CHM150AA, or CHM151AA, or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.View requisites |
|
|
4 |
HU |
Humanities, Fine Arts & Design |
|
Any course or combination of courses that include HU, C, and either G or H General Education designations
|
HU |
3 |
CIS105 or BPC110 |
Survey of Computer Information Systems or Computer Usage and Applications |
|
|
CS or CS |
3 |
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device,
some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this
page on a device with a larger screen.
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Term 3
Term 3
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
AJS216 or FOR106 |
Criminalistics: Biological Evidence or Forensic Science: Biological Evidence |
|
|
None or SQ |
3–4 |
Math Requirement |
Math Requirement |
|
|
|
3–5 |
MAT140 or MAT41 or MAT42 |
College Mathematics or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions |
Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (MAT052, MAT053, and MAT055), or (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT085, or MAT09+, or MAT103 or MAT114 or MAT115. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair.View requisites |
or Higher course with an [MA] general education designation
|
MA or MA or MA |
3–5 |
MAT150 or MAT151 or MAT152 |
College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair.View requisites |
or Higher course with an [MA] general education designation
|
MA or MA or MA |
3–5 |
Pathway Map Option Details
No pathway map option has been selected. Please select from the pathway
map options listed above.
Ready to get started?
Follow one of the options below to get started on your personal career pathway.
Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.
Learn more about and find contact information for the Forensic Science program.
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=187230).
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Forensic Science