Coroners are elected or appointed officials who act as administrators during investigations involving a death. Students who want to become coroners can enroll in various programs at public and private 4-year schools.
10 Schools with Coroner Programs
These institutions offer programs for aspiring coroners.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Tuition & Fees (2018-2019)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's Master's Doctoral | Undergraduate $55,584, Graduate $38,630 |
| Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH | 4-year, Private | Master's Doctoral | Graduate $45,204 |
| Columbia College | Columbia, MO | 4-year, Private | Certificate, Associate's Bachelor's Master's | Undergraduate $22,704, Graduate $7,874 |
| Mercy College | Dobbs Ferry, NY | 4-year, Private | Certificate Bachelor's | Undergraduate $19,042 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's Master's | Undergraduate $44,048, Graduate $19,498 |
| University of Toledo | Toledo, OH | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's Master's Postgraduate Certificate | In-state Undergraduate $10,293, Out-of-state Undergraduate $19,653 |
| University of Pittsburgh Medical Center | Pittsburgh, PA | 4-year, Public | Pathology Residency | Not Available |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's Master's Doctoral | In-state Undergraduate $14,460, Out-of-state Undergraduate $39,766 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's Master's Doctoral | In-state Undergraduate $6,410, Out-of-state Undergraduate $17,324 |
| University of Colorado - Denver | Denver, CO | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's Master's | In-state Undergraduate $9,283, Out-of-state Undergraduate $25,771 |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
School Selection Criteria
Students interested in coroner schools have several things to keep in mind when selecting their programs.
- An aspiring coroner's choice in school is partly dependent on local requirements, as well as the student's personal interests, since states may require different educational backgrounds.
- Those who would like to perform medical examinations for criminal investigations need to complete medical school and residencies in pathology.
- Students interested in investigative techniques and the legal aspects of crime should consider criminal justice, criminology or forensic science degree programs.
State Training Program for Coroners
State-funded training programs are intended for appointed coroners and provide further training on how to conduct death investigations. Coroners can benefit from programs that involve hands-on learning through controlled scenarios. Training may last between 40-80 hours.
Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science
Forensic science is an interdisciplinary study in anthropology, science and criminal justice. Internships are also required.
Pathology Residency
Pathology residents may attend crime scenes and learn the marks that different weapons leave, which can be especially helpful for a career as a coroner. Aspiring coroners may look for programs that include rotations in both hospitals and coroner's offices.
There are a number of program options for aspiring coroners to choose from, ranging from undergraduate to graduate studies in pathology, forensic science, criminal justice and criminology. It is also possible to become a medical doctor and pursue a residence in pathology to prepare to enter this career field.