Career Requirements
Find a career college near you:         
Arts & Entertainment

Animation
Architecture
Disc Jockey
Fashion Designer
Film
Graphic Design
Journalism
Music
News Caster
Photography
Photojournalism
Business

Accounting
Banking
Human Resources
International Business
Management
Marketing
Risk Management
Criminal Justice

Ballistic Expert
Border Patrol
Correctional Counseling
Counselor
FBI
Fire Service
Judge
Law
Law Enforcement
Loss Prevention
Paralegal
Police
Prison Guard
Social Work
SWAT
US Customs


Ballistic Expert Career Requirements

What Skills Does a Ballistic Expert Need?
Forensic science technicians, who investigate crimes by examining evidence, typically specialize in one area such as ballistics (firearms). As a ballistic expert, you might fire test shots from a weapon, compare bullet fragments or shell casings, present ballistic evidence at a trial as an expert witness, or use an etching process to restore eradicated serial numbers. You may even determine the angle and distance from which a shot was fired based on ballistics theory.

What Education Does a Ballistic Expert Require?
Many have a bachelor's degree in either forensic science or criminology, but some train in mechanical engineering or metallurgy. Undertaking an internship while earning your degree can also help you obtain the necessary practical experience.

Police officers and others with experience in firearms can transition into a ballistic expert career by undergoing some training courses, without necessarily earning a degree. Useful courses typically include chemistry, math, and physics.

While most ballistic experts work for state and local governments, others choose to work for independent organizations as expert consultants. They get called in to verify or rebut police findings, usually by either the prosecution or defense attorney.

Training to become a ballistic expert can include:
  • Ammunition
  • Crime scene search
  • Evidence handling
  • Expert witness testimony training
  • Fields of law
  • Firearms assembly/disassembly
  • Firearms identification
  • Gunpowder and primer residue
  • Microscopy
  • Wound ballistics
Forensic science technicians should experience 31% employment growth from 2006-2016, but those with a bachelor's degree tend to have better job opportunities than those with an associate degree.


Featured online career colleges:
  DeVry University

DeVry University offers flexible scheduling and the convenience to study at any of 80+ locations, online or a combination of both. Earn a respected associate degree, bachelor's degree or master's degree from an accredited university. A career-oriented education from DeVry University will put you in a great place to begin or advance in the workplace when you graduate.

Request more information from DeVry University .
  American InterContinental University Online

Earn your degree online, fast. AIU Online offers degree programs in Business Administration, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, Visual Communications, and Education. Bachelor's degrees can be earned quickly and conveniently, while Master's degrees can be earned in as little as 10 months. AIU Online's degree programs are designed for maximum flexibility—study at the times and places that work best for you.

Request more information from American InterContinental University Online.
  University of Phoenix

With convenient class locations as well as online learning, University of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible. Whether you're seeking an associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, we can help you reach your goal while you work—and much sooner than you might expect. In fact, University of Phoenix has helped thousands of students achieve the higher education they need to achieve higher success. We can help you too.

Request more information from University of Phoenix .
  Kaplan University

Earn your degree, advance your career, and achieve your goals with an online degree or certificate from Kaplan University. And do it all without missing a day of work. Kaplan University offers accredited online degree programs in Business, Criminal Justice, Technology and Design, and Paralegal Studies. Kaplan also offers Continuing Education, allowing working professionals to earn certificates in Forensic Nursing, Legal Nurse Consulting, Life Care Planning, and Financial Planning.

Request more information from Kaplan University.
  Independence University

Advance your healthcare career 24/7 at Independence University. Our online programs in Allied Health, Respiratory Therapy, Health Services, and Nursing are specially designed to provide you with the cutting-edge skills you need to thrive in your new career. Earn your certificate, associate, bachelor's or master's degree. Independence University makes it easy for you to succeed.

Request more information from Independence University.

Education

Library Science
Teaching
Health Care

Dental
Health and Exercise Science
Home Health Registered Nurse
Medical Pathologist
Neonatal Nursing
Nurse Practitioner
Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Podiatrist
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychology
Psychotherapy
Radiologist
Therapist
Veterinary
Science

Astronaut
Biological Psychology
Entomology
Marine Biologist
Zoologist
Technical

Computer Science
Electrical Engineer
Engineering
Technical Professional
Video Game Programmer
Web Design