Master of Science, Forensic Science, Investigation, & Technology

Program Description/Overview

This program is dedicated to graduating forensic science practitioners who contribute to a just world. Through lectures, case studies, simulations, and labs, students receive practical education and training in the principles and ethics of contemporary forensic science techniques, developing the competencies necessary to practice in judicial and administrative proceedings. Graduates of the program can seek employment as crime lab professionals, crime analysts, criminal and civil investigators, and forensic technologists.

Emphasis/Concentration/Tracks

Students choose from 1 of 3 concentrations. 

• Criminalistics and Technology Concentration: Students of this concentration gain competency in the technical procedures and methods associated with the collection, preservation, and analysis of DNA, trace/physical, toxicology/pharmacological and other identification evidence.
• Crime Scene and Incident Investigation Concentration: Students of this concentration will gain competency to engage in common forensic investigations, including those involving transportation safety, arson, identity, and digital and financial fraud.
• Criminal Investigative Intelligence & Analysis Concentration: Students of this concentration will gain competency to become crime analysts by learning a myriad of intelligence tools and techniques, such as geospatial analysis and crime mapping, digital and open source intelligence, identity analysis, and threat assessment.

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals

Graduates of the program will:

• Explain contemporary principles of forensic science, including law and ethics, evidence collection, analysis, and communication.
• Critically assess the role of investigator in forensic and legal proceedings.
• Methodologically collect, preserve, analyze, and report data and evidence to support triers of fact in judicial and administrative proceedings.
• Conduct crime scene analyses.
• Analyze the legal, ethical, and cultural considerations of conducting forensic investigations in different contexts and countries.

Training Model

The program is delivered online asynchronously with optional synchronous sessions. Students are also required to attend three on-site weekend residencies.  

Professional Behavior Expectations/Ethical Guidelines

Respectful Speech and Actions: As an institution of higher education, the University has the obligation to combat racism, sexism, and other forms of bias and to provide an equal educational opportunity. Professional codes of ethics and the academic code shall be the guiding principles in dealing with speech or actions that, when considered objectively, are abusive and insulting.

Professional Behavior: This program is a graduate-level professional program, and each member of the program, both students and faculty, are expected to engage in professional behavior and conduct. Students should always display empathy, self-control, friendliness, generosity, cooperation, helpfulness, and respect in all of their interactions with other students, staff, and faculty. Students will strive to exemplify professional behavior in all aspects of their participation in this program, to be on time in all engagements, to thoughtfully and diligently complete activities and assignments, and to treat all other program members with respect and dignity.

Credit Units

Total Credit Units: 33 

Total Core Credit Units: 18 

Total Elective Credits: N/A 

Total Concentration Credit Units: 15 

Degree Requirements

Students are required to participate in three on-site, weekend residencies and successful complete a research thesis to graduate from the program.

Prerequisite Courses

Undergraduate Chemistry, Undergraduate Biology

Emphasis/Concentration/Track Requirements

Students choose from 1 of 3 concentrations. All courses are 3 units.

Curriculum Plan

The following curriculum plan is a sample and serves only as a general guide. Curriculum plans and course sequence are subject to variation depending on a student’s start term. Students must complete all coursework required for their program as set forth in their individual master plan of study. A part-time option may be available.