Contact Information

General Contact

Admissions Office

Financial Aid Office

FINANCIAL AID RATE

66%

STUDENT TEACHER RATIO

26:1

DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE

18

FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.

$2,520

Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students

Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid

Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition

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Forensic Science Degree

The forensic science degree program at Palomar College includes instruction for students that focuses on the application of biomedical, physical, and social sciences for the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence, human testimony, and criminal suspects. Students who graduate the forensic science degree program will have knowledge in courses such as forensic medicine, forensic dentistry, anthropology, psychology, pathology, forensic laboratory technology, crime scene analysis, fingerprint technology, document analysis, pattern analysis, examination procedures, and applicable law and regulations. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer forensic science degrees.

Learn more by requesting information now!

Palomar College

One College Drive, Blythe, CA

Palomar College is a two-year community college that is part of the Palomar Community College District located in North San Diego County, California. The main campus of Palomar College is located in San Marcos. The main San Marcos Campus, which is situated on 252 hilly acres, is the location of The Palomar College Arboretum. Students and community members enjoy the Arboretum as a place to study botany and relax.

Palomar College offers numerous academic degree programs at the associate's degree level. It also offers the Associate in Arts for Transfer (AAT), for those students planning to transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor's degree. Palomar also offers certificates of achievement and proficiency in several areas, as well as non-credit courses.

In addition to its academic degree and certificate programs, college transfer programs and workforce training and professional development, Palomar College offers a Community Development program. Community members may continue learning and developing their interests and skills through workshops, "Venture" classes, seminars, activities and events at Palomar.  Palomar College also offers distance learning through online courses.

Academics

The academic calendar for Palomar College follows the semester format, with fall and spring semesters, and three shorter summer sessions.

Colleges and Schools

Palomar College is not divided into colleges and schools, but has more than 100 academic programs and course offerings.

Student Life

Palomar College offers many student services and amenities including the student bookstore, admissions services, financial aid, career services, counseling services, children's center, disability resource center, intramural athletics, veterans' services, health services, student affairs, and a student activities office (SAO) that provides information about student clubs and organizations on campus. In addition to these many services, Palomar College is home to several excellent recreational and entertainment venues, including the Boehm Gallery, the Planetarium, and the Arboretum, among others.

There are food services on all of the Palomar College campuses, but no on campus housing is available. 

Athletics

The Palomar College "Comets" athletic teams compete in several intercollegiate sports, including:

Men's Sports:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo
  • Wrestling

Women's Sports:

  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo

Satellite Campuses

In addition to its main San Marcos Campus in San Marcos, Palomar College has several satellite campuses or "Educational Centers" in the San Marcos, CA area of North San Diego County:

  • Palomar College at Camp Pendleton Educational Center (Camp Pendleton, CA)
  • Palomar College Escondido Center (Escondido, CA)
  • Palomar College at Fallbrook (Fallbrook, CA)
  • Palomar College at Mt. Carmel (San Diego, CA)
  • Palomar College at Pauma (Pauma Valley, CA)
  • Palomar College at Ramona (Ramona, CA)

Community Life

In addition to offering a Community Education program and many sites and events that are open to the community, Palomar College forges business and service partnerships with organizations and groups in the North San Diego County community.

The geographical area of North San Diego County is known for its beautiful coastline and inland areas, and many of its communities are quite affluent. There are foothills and ridges separating the beaches from the nearby mountains, creeks and lagoons.  Communities in the area include La Jolla, Rancho Bernardo, Solana Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Del Mar, and Rancho Santa Fe, among others.

In addition to lovely beaches, there are numerous golf courses in the area, and the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park are within easy reach.

Students Enrolled in the Forensic Science Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Palomar College offers an associate's degree program in forensic science.

Students by Gender (2019)

 Graduates
Male3
Female4

Students by Race (2019)

 Graduates
Asian1
Hispanic3
White2
Multiple Races1

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Upon completion of the Forensic Science program at Palomar College, most students have pursued careers in the following fields:

Forensic Science Technicians

Description

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.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, forensic science technicians employment is expected to grow at a rate of 26.6% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

  • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
    • Total Employment: 240
    • Average Hourly Rate: $31.17
    • Average Annual Salary: $64840

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Admission Requirements & Details

The information regarding admissions below may give an overview of the students Palomar College accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP or college credits that may be transferred.

College Credits Accepted

  • Dual Credits
  • Life Experience Credits
  • AP Course Credits
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Academics & Student Services

Student Services

To support students and graduates, Palomar College may provide services including:

  • Distance learning
  • Remedial instructional courses
  • Counseling assistance
  • Student employment
  • Day care

Intercollegiate Athletics

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field, Outdoor
  • Track and Field, X-Country
  • Volleyball
  • Water Polo
  • Wrestling
  • Beach Volleyball