10 Best Schools for Forensic Nursing

Forensic Nursing Programs

The best schools for Forensic Nursing have a combination of degrees and certificates that prepare nurses to work in the forensic specialty. Forensic nursing is a difficult job, but it’s one that is a crucial part of modern criminal justice and medicine. It’s not the first job most people think about when they think about nursing. But nurses who assist victims of crime, provide counseling for witnesses, and investigate deaths do important work.

Working nurses who want to move into a forensic nursing career have a lot of different options available to them. They could enter a Master of Science in Nursing program that offers a specialization or concentration in forensic nursing to become a forensic nurse practitioner. On the other hand, students who already have an MSN could seek out certificate programs, while adding a specialized credential to their existing degree. RNs who do not want a full MSN may choose undergraduate certificate programs that just focus on the specialized forensic courses without the rest of the master’s degree.

Methodology: How We Rank the Best Forensic Nurse Program

To rank the Top 10 Forensic Nursing Programs, TopRNtoBSN searched out accredited colleges and universities offering the top forensic nursing programs. We found schools with specialized MSN and graduate certificate programs specializing in forensic nursing. From there, we ranked programs according to four key criteria:

Reputation (U.S. News graduate nursing rank)
Student Reviews (Niche score)
Cost (IPEDS)
Alumni Salary (College Scorecard)

These four criteria indicate that students can trust a program to combine an excellent education with a strong job market presence and return on investment.

1. Texas A&M University Health Science Center

The Texas A&M University Health Science Center’s MSN in Forensic Nursing requires the completion of certain on-campus clinical portions of 45 hours. However, students can complete the rest of this forensic nursing education online. Forensic MSN programs are for students interested in pursuing specialized nursing careers. The forensic nurse program requires students to complete 36 credit hours in six semesters. Forensic nursing graduates are prepared to care for those impacted by a criminal event that ends in trauma, or even death.

The TAMU Health Science Center opened in 1999. And it is one of the fasting growing educational health centers in the country. The school offers degrees in medicine, public health, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy.

Degree: Master of Science in Nursing-Forensic Nursing track

Format: On-Campus, 36 semester credits, 45 clinical hours

More: Visit the school for more about this forensic nursing program.

2. University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s MSN Advanced Forensic Nurse (AFN subspecialty focuses on the responsibilities of a forensic nurse. UAB’s on-campus Forensic Nursing program requires the completion of two courses to receive the AFN certificate. Certificate graduates are prepared for careers as administrative leaders or as medical forensic practical application experts. Certificate programs for forensic nurses require applicants to hold an unencumbered nursing license in the state in which they choose to finish their course practicum.

The UA Birmingham was established in 1969. It is a research university that is one of the member schools of the University of Alabama system. The School of Public Health, one of the school’s divisions, was founded in 1981. US News and World Report rank the UA Birmingham School of Public Health as one of the top 20 nationally.

Degree: MSN – Forensic subspecialty

Format: On-Campus

More: Visit the school for more about this forensic nursing program.

3. University of California Riverside

The University of California, Riverside’s professional certificate in Forensic Nursing comes from the Extension Professional Studies division. The online Forensic Nurse Practitioner program requires the completion of 16-credit units that most students complete in nine to fifteen months. Certificate applicants must already hold a Registered Nursing license in the state in which they practice. The forensic nurse program opens up career opportunities in the areas of law enforcement, specialty hospital units, social service, and medical forensics. UC Riverside certificate programs have accreditation from the California Board of Registered Nursing (CBRN).

UC Riverside was founded in 1954. This institution is part of the University of California system. The school operates two campuses. The 1,900+-acre suburban main campus is located in Riverside, while the rural campus in Palm Desert is 20 acres. In general, UC Riverside is among the top diverse schools in the country.

Degree: Forensic Nursing Professional Certificate (MUST hold a current RN license)

Format: Online, 16 credits, 9 to 15 months

More: Visit the school for more about this forensic nursing program.

4. Penn State World Campus

The Penn State World Campus online undergraduate Certificate in Nursing Forensics program. After students complete the 12-credit program, they can apply to Penn State’s RN to BSN program, or as an independent certificate. Certificate holders graduating from Penn State’s certificate program for forensic nurses connect the dots between medicine and the application of the law. Their forensic nurse program prepares nursing professionals to collect evidence and spot the blatant and subtle signs of assault, stalking, and violence.

The Penn State World Campus, also known as Penn State Online, started in 1998. The World Campus opened educational opportunities across the world to those who cannot attend classes on Penn State’s many campuses. Penn State is not new to the distance-learning concept as it was the country’s first school to offer a correspondence course in 1892.

Degree: 12-credit Undergraduate Certificate in Forensic Nursing

Format: Online

More: Visit the school for more about this forensic nursing program.

5. Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University offers an MSN Forensic Track that students can complete online or on-campus. This Forensic Nurse program prepares graduates to apply the science of nursing against the backdrop of legal matters and investigative efforts. The same elite faculty that teaches on-campus teaches through the distance-learning platform. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits the forensic track program.

The Cleveland State University was established in 1923 as Fenn College. It is now a member school of the University System of Ohio. This state university’s 85-acre campus is home to more than 17,000 students and 70 different degree programs. Forensic Nursing Certificate programs such as Cleveland State’s, students are prepared with the skills and experience to enter a variety of professions within the legal, law enforcement, and mental health professions.

Degree: MSN in Forensic Nursing

Format: Online or on-campus

More: Visit the school for more about this forensic nursing program.

6. Xavier University

The online MSN-Forensic Track degree program at Xavier University comes from the Graduate School of Nursing. This forensic nurse program requires the completion of 10 semester hours; this is in addition to MSN’s coursework of 26 semester hours that focuses on the synthesis and the application of core nursing fundamentals. Graduates from forensic nursing certificate programs can apply the principles of advanced forensics nursing to a variety of settings.

Xavier University was established in 1831 and holds the distinction as Ohio’s 6th oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the United States. Xavier’s 190-acre campus is home to buildings that resemble a fortress. Xavier has been recognized as a Best Value School, and a Top Midwest School. Xavier University supports the concepts of sustainability and community service.

Degree: MSN with a Forensic Nursing specialization

Format: Online, 36 credits

More: Visit the school for more about this MSN forensic nursing program.

7. Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Becton School of Nursing & Allied Health offers several forensic-related programs. Their on-campus Forensic Nurse Practitioner in Adult-Gerontology requires the completion of 42- credit hours to receive an Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) degree. FDU also offers MSN degree holders a Forensic Graduate Certificate online program that has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Additionally, students can complete Fairleigh Dickinson University’s forensic nursing certificate programs as part-time or full-time students.

Fairleigh Dickinson University is a nonsectarian university that opened in 1942. It operates several campuses (mostly in central New Jersey) in the towns/cities of Hackensack, Teaneck, Madison, and Florham Park. Fairleigh Dickinson University holds the distinction as the largest private university in New Jersey, and as the first American university to own/operate an international satellite campus.

Degree: Forensic Graduate Certificate (MUST hold a current Master’s) or MSN Adult Gerontology Forensic Nurse Practitioner

Format: Online or On-Campus

More: Visit the program

8. Oakland University (MI)

The Forensic Nurse Program specialty track option at Oakland University is the first of its kind in Michigan. Designed for BSN students, coursework focuses on the provision of nursing services to patients who are victims of trauma, violence, and maltreatment. OU’s hybrid graduate degree in forensic nursing allows students to complete over 50% of the program online with visits to campus for specialty coursework. The program has received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Additionally, Oakland University’s MSN Forensic Nursing program requires the completion of 39 credit hours. OU offers similar coursework as an 18-credit stand-alone Graduate Certificate.

Oakland University was founded in 1957. Originally, it was in the greater Detroit metro area of Rochester, Michigan, and was a satellite school of Michigan State University. It has been an independent university since 1970. The school is the only major doctoral research university in Oakland County, Michigan.

Degree: MSN in Forensic Nursing or Graduate Certificate

Format: hybrid

More: Visit the program and learn more about nursing school programs at Oakland University.

9. Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg State University’s MSN degree offers a forensic track as well as a forensic nursing certificate program. The MSN forensic nurse program specialty and the certificate program can be completed on-campus or online. MSN forensic nursing graduates are prepared for careers as legal nurse consultants, risk managers, or educators, among others. The online Forensic certificate provides nurses who hold a previous master’s degree to specialize in the field of forensics. The clinical portion of the MSN — Forensics program requires a practicum of 360 hours.

Fitchburg State University is a public institution established in 1894 by the commonwealth’s legislature. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has accredited Fitchburg State University. The school is home to more than 6,800 students studying on campuses located in Fitchburg, Lancaster, Leominster and Lunenburg, MA.

Degree: MSN – Nursing – Forensic Graduate Certificate

Format: Online

More: Visit the school for more about its online forensic nursing programs.

10. Duquesne University

Duquesne University’s MSN in Forensic Nursing comes from the university’s top-ranked School of Nursing. Forensic nurses serve as a liaison between the fields of medicine and law in a number of fascinating ways. Coursework for the forensic nurse program drills down on advanced studies of the science of forensics and opens career opportunities across a variety of health-care-related sectors.

Duquesne University is a private Catholic university that was established in 1878. Its 50-acre urban campus in Pittsburgh is home to more than 10,000 students. Duquesne University is the only Spiritan institution of higher learning across the globe. Duquesne University’s School of Nursing is recognized as a top-tier graduate nursing school, including on-campus and online programs, by U.S. News & World Report.

Degree: Online MSN in Forensic Nursing

Format: Online, 36 credits

More: Visit the program

What Do Forensic Nurses Do?

Forensic nurses are healthcare professionals who specialize in the care of victims of violence, abuse and trauma. They assist in the investigation of crime scenes, provide medical treatment to victims, and provide expert testimony in court. They also provide counseling to victims and their families, coordinate referrals to other services, and provide education about abuse and violence prevention.

What Education Do You Need for Forensic Nursing?

Forensic nursing requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), as well as a current, unrestricted nursing license. Many employers may require a master’s degree in forensic nursing or a related field, such as criminal justice. Additionally, some employers may want nurses to have specialized certifications in forensic nursing, such as the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) Certified Forensic Nurse (CFN) credential.

Forensic nurse education requirements begin with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, while taking courses in forensic nursing certificate programs, if available. If those certifications aren’t available, a student can get a master’s in forensic nursing, also known as an MSN. One path to forensic nursing is to become a registered nurse and work for a minimum of three years in general nursing and switch to a specialization in forensics. Another path is to find a school that offers a Master’s or PhD forensic nurse program. Students must become clinical nurses before becoming forensic nurses.

Certifications for Forensic Nursing

There is training specific to forensic nursing which focuses on evidence handling and collection, particularly fiber, hair, and fluid for testing. Typically, nursing requirements include real-world experience in hospitals or other settings. A preferable forensic nursing certificate programs are from the Forensic Nursing Certification Board (FNCB). After passing the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner for Adults and Adolescents exam, or the Sexual Assault Examiner for Pediatrics exam, students can be FNCB certified.

After earning a degree or certificate, nurses can earn board certifications or sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) certifications. One is the SANE-A for nurses to work with adults and adolescents and the other is the SANE-P to work with pediatric patients.

What Kinds of Forensic Nurse Jobs Are There?

There are many forensic nurse jobs available to someone interested in pursuing that field. Some forensic nurses are called nurse death investigators because they are doing just that, trying to determine the cause of death of someone. They look for foul play, or abuse and try to piece together the story of the death. Forensic nurses often go by name different names, or titles such as forensic nurse practitioner, forensic nurse investigator, or a nurse pathologist. Forensic nurses work in roles like Legal Nurse Consultant.

An autopsy nurse or a nurse coroner is often the one who is on call to come to a crime scene. A full forensic nurse job description would include being the one to pronounce the person dead and arrange for the body to go to the morgue. They may work with others to collect evidence, samples, pictures, and paper records. They may also take notes on what they see, such as trauma or illness. Nurse investigators take samples of tissue or blood for analysis. They may even do legal nursing and appear in court to testify as to who is responsible for the death.

A forensic psychiatric nurse typically works in a correctional or mental health facility with individuals convicted of violent crimes, or who have psychological disorders. A forensic nurse in public health nursing is someone who works to promote good health and healthy choices using their education and experience from the social and public health issues that arise in nursing.

How Much is a Forensic Nurse Salary?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), forensic nurse salaries ranged from $47,120 to $102,990 based on experience, employer, and years of education. The average salary was $68,450, which comes out to about $32.91 per hour. BLS claims that these types of jobs will grow about 16% through 2031, which equals approximately 439,300 new jobs. This is true for nurse coroner salary and nurse coroner death investigator salary. This field is growing much faster than many other fields, proving that forensic nursing has a lot of growth potential for those that are interested.

Forensic nurse requires highly specialized school and training, which is the reason why their salary is more considerable than a clinical nurse. A forensic nurse must have entered one of the forensic nursing certificate programs, taken continuing education forensic nursing courses, received undergraduate electives, received a graduate forensic nursing degree, in addition to having already obtained a Bachelor of Nursing degree.