Top Forensic Nursing Programs for 2025

Xavier University's online forensic nursing graduate program leads to either an MSN or both an MSN and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. For only the MSN, nurses complete 36 credits, 10 of which focus on forensics. 

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and at least one year of experience as an RN. Also, while the program calls itself 100% online, it does have a single in-person requirement. Nurses must complete at least four credits worth of a nursing practicum in their local areas.

Students can complete Cleveland State University's online forensic nursing program in two years. The MSN curriculum includes 38 credits and 500 practicum hours. Throughout their education, CSU students may choose to bolster their education with forensic nursing certifications like:

• Clinical Forensic Nursing
• Legal Nurse Consulting
• Forensic Psychiatric Nursing
• Forensic Correctional Nursing
• Forensic Death Investigation

Additionally, all forensic nursing students at Cleveland State University receive the same per-credit tuition rate regardless of where they live. So, you can enjoy the same affordable tuition even if you don't live in Ohio.

 DeSales University offers perhaps the most flexible and comprehensive forensic nursing program. Available part-time or full-time and completed online, on-campus, or through a hybrid of the two, DeSales's MSN in forensic nursing also includes certification in investigative forensics. 

Regardless of online or on-campus study, students must complete at least 275 clinical practicum and 75 clinical lab hours on-site in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. Upon graduating, nurses should demonstrate excellent leadership, organizational, and investigative skills. 

 Available either in-person or online, Fairleigh Dickinson University's MSN lets students choose a specialty. Those interested in forensic nursing select the adult gerontology nursing program with a forensic focus.

This 30-39 credit track requires 550-750 hours of clinical service and prepares graduates to become APRNs with a specialization in forensics. FDU's MSN requires more than other programs, but graduates earn certification and could receive higher wages.

Duquesne University offers two different forensic nursing programs: an MSN and a post-master's certificate. Since many aspiring forensic nurses may not already have a master's degree, most students enroll in the full MSN program. However, MSN-trained nurses who wish to transition to forensic nursing will be able to attend the certificate program.

This entirely online program takes 36 credits to complete and prepares students for any area of forensic nursing. Duquesne University partners with the Wecht Institute to offer this degree, so nursing students complete some courses through a different school within Duquesne. 

 An incredibly affordable MSN for anyone who lives in Texas, Texas A&M University's online MSN in forensic nursing is a 36-credit program completed over 2-3 years, though most students take closer to three years. 

While nurses complete most courses online, Texas A&M does require a total of 45 in-person hours at the Bryan College Station campus to meet clinical requirements set by the AACN. The university separates this into two visits taken during the second half of the degree.

Available in an online or hybrid format, Mount Mercy University's MSN lets students choose one of five emphases, including one in forensic nursing. Students who choose the hybrid format attend courses on Wednesday evenings in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

The forensic nursing route requires 36 credits, and students take courses about the theories of crimes and justice, administration of justice, and presenting evidence during a trial. This quick program uses a per-credit tuition rate, so part-time students don't pay higher tuition as they might elsewhere. 

 Pennsylvania State University's online campus, Penn State World Campus, extends higher education to thousands of students worldwide. Instead of completing an MSN, those interested in forensic nursing complete Penn State's undergraduate certificate in nursing forensics. This 12-credit certificate takes less than a year to complete and costs far less than an MSN. 

However, only current RNs without a BSN should consider this program. That being said, graduates can transfer their forensic nursing credits into Penn State's online RN-BSN, making this a great option for RNs looking for both a BSN and a forensic nursing position. 

The University of California Riverside offers another alternative option to an MSN for those who want to pursue forensic nursing. The program leads to a professional certificate that opens many doors to various forensic nursing positions.

Registered and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can enroll in the program. RNs can count 20 hours or more of continued education credits or their SANE certification toward elective credits, reducing the length and cost of the certificate. This short 16-credit certificate takes as little as nine months to complete. 

Aspen University specializes in online education and offers its MSN with a forensic nursing specialization entirely online. Available to current RNs who hold a BSN, the MSN takes as little as two years to complete, though some part-time students take longer. 

While the program doesn't include clinical practice, graduates learn all the skills necessary to succeed as a forensic nurse. Aspen University also set up an optional monthly payment plan to keep the degree affordable, covering the program's cost over 41 months.