Best institutions to study Forensic Nursing
A program that prepares individuals to apply the law and forensic science to nursing practice and collaborate with other professionals for the care of victims and the prosecution of criminals.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 26 Forensic Nursing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3824, a specialization of Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38), and leads most directly to the Registered Nurses occupation (BLS SOC 29-1141).
About Forensic Nursing programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply the law and forensic science to nursing practice and collaborate with other professionals for the care of victims and the prosecution of criminals. Includes instruction in advanced physical assessment, evidence collection and preservation, forensic anthropology, legal testimony, medicolegal investigation, pathophysiology, pathohistology, pharmacology, and violence prevention.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Forensic Nursing program, a specialization within Registered Nursing, prepares individuals to integrate law and forensic science into nursing practice. This program focuses on the care of victims and the collaboration with professionals involved in the prosecution of criminals, making it ideal for those interested in the intersection of healthcare and the legal system.
Students in the Forensic Nursing program gain essential skills in advanced physical assessment, evidence collection and preservation, and legal testimony. Coursework also covers topics such as medicolegal investigation, pathophysiology, and violence prevention, equipping graduates with a comprehensive understanding of both nursing and forensic science.
Credentials awarded
What Forensic Nursing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree25 graduates / yr · 4 institutions96%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.8%
Graduates over time
Forensic Nursing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 26 |
CIP 51.3824 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 4 institutions for Forensic Nursing, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster's | 13 | 84% | — | $78,297 |
| 2 | DeSales University Center Valley, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 5 | 72% | $26,990 | $79,460 |
| 3 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicMaster's | 4 | 58% | — | $74,917 |
| 4 | Xavier University Cincinnati, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 69% | $31,119 | $70,473 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Registered Nursing field (CIP 51.38) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where Forensic Nursing graduates come from. Each state links to all Registered Nursing programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1 | 13 | Texas A&M University - College Station13 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 5 | DeSales University5 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 4 | Oakland University4 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 4 | Xavier University4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1141, Registered Nurses, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Forensic Nursing program can pursue careers as Registered Nurses, with additional opportunities as Nurse Practitioners or Nursing Instructors. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 189,100 annual openings. The median wage for Registered Nurses is $93,600, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3824
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Registered Nursesprimary SOC 29-1141 | $97,550 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~189,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Nurse Practitioners SOC 29-1171 | $132,300 | +40.1% Much faster than average | ~29,500 | Master's degree |
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1072 | $80,250 | +16.8% Much faster than average | ~8,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Forensic Nursing programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
Tools and technology used
Other Registered Nursing specializations
The 22 other 6-digit CIP codes under Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38).
- Registered Nursing/CIP 51.3801
Registered Nurse 263,325 graduates / yr2,067 institutions - Family Practice Nurse/CIP 51.3805
Nursing 14,703 graduates / yr293 institutions - Nursing PracticeCIP 51.38189,384 graduates / yr322 institutions
- Nursing AdministrationCIP 51.38027,804 graduates / yr198 institutions
- Psychiatric/CIP 51.3810
Mental Health Nurse/ Nursing 5,358 graduates / yr179 institutions - Nursing ScienceCIP 51.38084,605 graduates / yr148 institutions
- Registered NursingCIP 51.38993,940 graduates / yr99 institutions
- Nurse AnesthetistCIP 51.38042,183 graduates / yr72 institutions
- Adult Health Nurse/CIP 51.3803
Nursing 2,125 graduates / yr75 institutions - Public Health/CIP 51.3811
Community Nurse/ Nursing 934 graduates / yr21 institutions - Geriatric Nurse/CIP 51.3821
Nursing 680 graduates / yr43 institutions - Clinical Nurse LeaderCIP 51.3820588 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Nurse Midwife/CIP 51.3807
Nursing Midwifery 530 graduates / yr22 institutions - Critical Care NursingCIP 51.3814505 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Pediatric Nurse/CIP 51.3809
Nursing 389 graduates / yr36 institutions - Women's Health Nurse/CIP 51.3822
Nursing 350 graduates / yr15 institutions - Perioperative/CIP 51.3812
Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/ Nursing 150 graduates / yr10 institutions - Maternal/CIP 51.3806
Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/ Nursing 149 graduates / yr14 institutions - Clinical Nurse SpecialistCIP 51.3813135 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Emergency Room/CIP 51.3816
Trauma Nursing partial data83 graduates / yr9 institutions - Occupational and Environmental Health NursingCIP 51.3815partial data21 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Palliative Care NursingCIP 51.3819partial data19 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What degrees are offered in Forensic Nursing?+
The program offers a Master's degree and a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
How many colleges offer Forensic Nursing in the U.S.?+
There are currently 4 colleges offering this program.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for Registered Nurses?+
The job outlook for Registered Nurses is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9%.
What is the CIP code for Forensic Nursing?+
Forensic Nursing is CIP 51.3824 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply the law and forensic science to nursing practice and collaborate with other professionals for the care of victims and the prosecution of criminals. Includes instruction in advanced physical assessment, evidence collection and preservation, forensic anthropology, legal testimony, medicolegal investigation, pathophysiology, pathohistology, pharmacology, and violence prevention.
How many institutions offer Forensic Nursing programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Forensic Nursing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 26 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Registered Nursing graduates.
How much do Forensic Nursing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Registered Nurses occupation, which Forensic Nursing most directly leads to, pays a median of $97,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Registered Nursing field report median earnings of $78,297 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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