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Forensic document examiner education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a forensic document examiner. Forensic document examiners usually study criminal justice, biology, or literature. 54% of forensic document examiners hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 16 real forensic document examiner resumes to see exactly what forensic document examiner education sections show.
The most common colleges for forensic document examiners are the Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia Commonwealth University.
There are also many online forensic document examiner courses to help get the education required to be a forensic document examiner.
What education do you need to become a forensic document examiner?
What degree do you need to be a forensic document examiner?
- Bachelor's, 54%
- Master's, 15%
- Associate, 15%
- High School Diploma, 8%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become a forensic document examiner?
- Criminal Justice, 40%
- Biology, 7%
- Literature, 7%
- Other Majors, 39%
Most common colleges for forensic document examiners
| Forensic document examiner common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 14.29% |
| Bradley University | 14.29% |
| Florida Atlantic University | 14.29% |
| University of Denver | 14.29% |
| Eastern Kentucky University | 14.29% |
Best majors for forensic document examiners
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 40.0% |
| 2 | Biology | 6.7% |
| 3 | Literature | 6.7% |
| 4 | Public Administration | 6.7% |
| 5 | Marketing | 6.7% |
Best colleges for forensic document examiners
The best colleges for forensic document examiners are University of Chicago, Northeastern University, and Northwestern University.
A forensic document examiner with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for forensic document examiners. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become forensic document examiners.
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$58,230
Enrollment
6,600
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
7. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
8. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
10. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
20 best online courses for forensic document examiners
Advertising disclosure
1. Digital Forensics Concepts
In the Digital Forensics Concepts course, you will learn about legal considerations applicable to computer forensics and how to identify, collect and preserve digital evidence. This course dives into the scientific principles relating to digital forensics and gives you a close look at on-scene triaging, keyword lists, grep, file hashing, report writing and the profession of digital forensic examination...
2. Computer Forensics
This three part InfoSec Specialization covers a wide variety of Computer Forensics topics. In the Digital Forensics Concepts course, you will learn about legal considerations applicable to computer forensics and how to identify, collect and preserve digital evidence. This course dives into the scientific principles relating to digital forensics and gives you a close look at on-scene triaging, keyword lists, grep, file hashing, report writing and the profession of digital forensic examination...
3. Best Practices in Document Management
Develop your cost-effective and future-proof documentation strategy...
4. Professional documents using Word 2013
Learn how to effectively use Microsoft Word 2013 to create professional business documents...
5. Fundamentals of Document Accessibility
By the end of this project, you will be able to create simple, accessibility friendly documents in Microsoft Word. You will use styling tools to format headings, write strong alt texts, and select accessible color palettes...
6. Windows Registry Forensics
The Windows Registry Forensics course shows you how to examine the live registry, the location of the registry files on the forensic image, and how to extract files...
7. The New Trainer's Guide to Creating End User Documentation
Learn quick, easy and practical technical writing skills to write great end user software documentation - FAST...
8. All Export Documentation & Procedures Any Origin
Unlock the Secrets of Successful Exporting with Comprehensive Documentation, Procedural Expertise, Incoterms, Contract...
9. The Art of API Documentation
API Documentation 3: Teaches technical writers how to write API overview material, tutorials, etc...
10. Digital Forensics and Electronic Evidence
An introduction for legal professionals and other individuals with an interest in computer forensics...
11. Computer Forensics and Digital Forensics Masterclass 2023+
Learn computer forensics, digital forensics, mobile forensics, windows forensics, linux forensics and other forensics...
12. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+
Learn digital forensics and be computer forensics investigator / Certificate after completing course / DFMC+ / DFIR 2023...
13. The Complete Computer Forensics Course for 2023 PRO: CFCT+
Start Computer Forensics Career now and see your Growth step by step and Unlock your potential. Digital Forensics Police...
14. Technical Writing: How to Write API Software Documentation
A framework for writing software documentation for an API as a technical writer, using Postman or Swagger UI...
15. SAP OOPS ABAP ( With complete Material/Documentation )
SAP OOPS ABAP (With complete material/documentation including theory, sample programs, definitions, Program examples )...
16. Intermediate Computer Forensics
Learning Intermediate computer forensic skills and techniques...
17. Computer Forensics Fundamentals
An introduction to Computer Forensics, to demonstrate the process of going from the crime scene to the court room...
18. Business Requirements Document for Beginner Business Analyst
Recommended Course for the Beginner BA Who Speaks English as a Second Language...
19. Technical Writing: How to Write Software Documentation
Learn a proven strategy for writing software docu in Git Hub wiki based on the 12 main principles of technical writing!...
20. SAP Implementation Process Training with Sample Documents
SAP Functional Implementation and Roles and Responsibilities...
Top 10 most affordable universities for forensic document examiners
The most affordable schools for forensic document examiners are California State University - Bakersfield, california state university - long beach, and california state university - los angeles.
If the best universities for forensic document examiners are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for forensic document examiners.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
5. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
10. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for forensic document examiners
The hardest universities for forensic document examiners to get into are University of Chicago, Northeastern University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for forensic document examiners are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for forensic document examiners based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
2. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
8. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
9. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for forensic document examiners
The easiest schools for forensic document examiners to get into are Wayland Baptist University, william paterson university of new jersey, and saint martin's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a forensic document examiner without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for forensic document examiners.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
3. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
4. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
7. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
8. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
9. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
10. Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,026
Average forensic document examiner salary by education level
| Forensic document examiner education level | Forensic document examiner salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $71,137 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $53,530 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $57,048 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $61,558 |
Forensic document examiner education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025