Program Overview
Forensic Science, PSM
The Master of Professional Science program in forensic science readies students for career advancement by providing them with educational depth and breadth in the forensic sciences and helps them develop new competencies related to laboratory supervision. This includes an understanding of how to work with regulatory bodies that provide the framework for oversight in forensic laboratories, consistent with the guiding principles of the National Professional Science Master's Association.
Program Description
Students develop deeper scientific inquiry skills in biology, chemistry, genetics, and related topics, as well as critical laboratory leadership skill sets. Successful graduates are armed with the tools and experiences required for administrative and other advancement opportunities within and beyond the forensic science laboratory in both government and private sectors.
At a Glance
- College/school: New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
- Location: Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
Degree Requirements
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (FOR 579)
- Required Core (9 credit hours)
- FOR 525 Forensic Science and Governance (3)
- FOR 550 Ethics in Forensic Science (3)
- FOR 565 Laboratory Leadership, Policy and Practice (3)
- Other Requirement (18 credit hours)
- FOR 501 Forensic Toxicology (3) or FOR 532 Principles of Pharmacology (3)
- FOR 502 Advanced Forensic Botany (3) or FOR 503 Forensic Entomology (3)
- FOR 540 Advanced Topics in Human Forensic DNA Typing (3)
- FOR 560 Quantitative Methods in Forensic Science Research (3), BMI 515 Applied Biostatistics in Medicine and Informatics (3) or HCD 501 Population Health Data Management and Analysis (3)
- FOR 578 Capstone in Forensic Science I (3)
- PSY 546 Advanced Forensic Psychology (3) or CRJ 537 Criminal Procedure of Investigations for Social and Forensic Scientists (3)
- Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
- FOR 579 Capstone in Forensic Science II (3)
- Additional Curriculum Information Other requirement courses may be substituted with approval of the academic unit.
Admission Requirements
- General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
- Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.
- Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in an appropriate physical, biological, or computer science or related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
- Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- two letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Tuition Information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Attend Online
The program is offered in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.
Career Opportunities
The PSM program in forensic science provides leadership training in the field of forensic science to practicing professionals in science and forensic science, criminalistics, and medical examiner offices; to office personnel; and to members of the law enforcement and legal communities. Program graduates have the skills and experience to pursue a new career path or to advance in their current careers. Graduates with a master's degree in forensic science have gone on to careers that include jobs such as:
- biomedical researcher
- crime scene investigator
- crime or forensic laboratory director, manager, or supervisor
- forensic anthropologist
- forensic engineer
- forensic nurse
- forensic scientist or criminalist
- forensic toxicologist
- law enforcement officer or supervisor
- military service member
- pharmaceutical researcher Some graduates go on to professional schools and further graduate education, including PhD programs.