Wichita ? Forensic science isn’t as exciting as television suggests, jobs are scarce and the training is difficult, but Wichita State University is planning a degree in the field.

“We made a conscious effort not to create a degree that would look like what they do on television,” said Brian Withrow, a criminal justice professor, who would direct the program. “That’s irresponsible. Because that job does not exist anywhere in the industry.”

The interdisciplinary program – with classes in biology, chemistry, anthropology, psychology and criminal justice – would train students to work in forensic laboratories.

“Some people do lab work, some do investigations and some do crime scene investigation,” Withrow said. “But those are all different people.”

The Kansas Board of Regents must approve the program, which would be the first forensics degree in the state with the interdisciplinary program. Washburn University offers a chemical forensics science degree.

Wichita’s program would train students in lab work, including fingerprint comparisons, ballistics tests and analysis of hair, fiber, blood and urine evidence.

One instructor, anthropology professor Peer Moore-Jansen, teaches the analysis of skeletal remains.

A doctorate is necessary for anyone who wants to become an expert witness, he says.

“There are a lot of people who, when they find out it’s hard work and lot of science, say no thank you,” Moore-Jansen said.

Forensic programs are accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

“There’s a lot of student interest,” said Jim Hurley, the academy’s director of accreditation.

“It’s important for students to know there are not a lot of jobs and competition is stiff,” he said. “However, it may change over the next few years if the federal government gives more funding for labs and jobs.”

Tim Rohrig, director of forensic science laboratories at the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center, said he has 16 forensic scientists and needed five more but doesn’t have the money to hire them.

Rohrig, who is helping to develop the Wichita State program, said it can take months to train science majors who are unfamiliar with forensic analysis.

“It’s going to be different from a lot of programs that are out there,” he said. “This will be a true science degree.”