Online masters forensic science

This forensic science degree online (PSM) prepares students for career advancement who are already working in the forensic science field. The degree will provide them with a pathway to develop new competencies related to laboratory supervision.

Resident tuition | Non-resident tuition

Become a leader in crime science with an online master’s in forensic science

The Professional Science Master’s in forensic science prepares current forensic science laboratory workers for career advancement in criminal science management and research. Step up your career in crime science in this online masters forensic science degree by earning greater educational depth and breadth in the forensic sciences with the development of new competencies related to laboratory supervision. Learn to work with regulatory bodies that provide the framework for oversight in forensic laboratories, consistent with the guiding principles of the National Professional Science Masters Association.

This online master’s in forensic science offers you the opportunity to advance your skills in forensic laboratory science with forensic courses in toxicology, botany, entomology, forensic science and government and forensic DNA. Simultaneously, courses in this online program will give you the chance to master forensic science ethics as well as your leadership abilities in the forensic science lab, and utilize all your skills and existing experience in a culminating applied project at the end of the online program.

This program is designed specifically with working forensic science laboratory professionals in mind, so that the online format, as well as at-home science curriculum, will complement your current schedule and skills.

The School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences is:

A leader among Universities in teaching professional scientists.
At the forefront of training disciplinary leaders.
Committed to creating a career driven education experience.
One of the highest-ranked institutions to offer such a degree.
Passionate about student success and well-being.

Featured Courses

Forensic Toxicology:

Includes the history of toxicology; the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drugs and alcohol in the human body, as well as the legal applications of toxicology. Also discusses ethics, quality control and quality assurance and courtroom testimony (as they relate to forensic toxicology).

Forensic Botany:

Teaches students the historical and potential uses of plants and other organisms traditionally included with plants as evidence in forensic investigations.

Forensic Entomology:

Presents current information on the role of arthropods in decomposition, the role of forensic entomology in criminal and civil investigations and the increasing importance of science on society. Provides an understanding of the importance and role that arthropods play in civil and criminal investigations.

Forensic Science and Governance:

Focus on quality assurance and control within a crime laboratory and cover topics specific to laboratory directors and the management of all activities within the laboratory critical to meeting local, regional and national standards.

Advanced Topics in Human Forensic DNA:

Examines the science of current forensic DNA typing methods by focusing on the technology behind STR, Y-STR and mtDNA typing, real-time PCR, serology tests, capillary electrophoresis, expert systems and statistics.

Ethics in Forensic Science:

Covers several professional codes of ethics and common ethical dilemmas that may confront criminalists and other forensic scientists.

Quantitative Methods in Forensic Science Research:

This course focuses on developing foundations for using statistical analyses as research tools in the forensic sciences, with special emphasis placed on the fundamentals.

Laboratory Leadership, Policy, and Practice:

Focuses on essential laboratory management functions, knowledge and skills required to successfully function as a laboratory manager and/or senior-level scientist in clinical, academic, research and applied science laboratories (e.g., forensic science laboratories). Topics include quality assurance and quality control; laboratory accreditation and audits; standards for specific accrediting bodies including but not limited to CLIA, CAP, ASCLD/LAB, OSHA; documentation and sample accessioning; laboratory safety and chemical hazard programs; validation studies and protocol development; certification of individual scientists; and overall laboratory management 'best practices.'

Applied Project:

Preparation of a supervised applied project that is a graduation requirement in some professional majors.

Faculty

The School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences' forensic science faculty members have decades-long crime laboratory and other relevant experience, with faculty that specialize in the following areas:

Biology.
Cybersecurity.
Forensic science.
Psychology.
Sociology.

Related Careers

Careers for graduates of the online master's forensic science

The PSM in forensic science will:

Prepare students for career advancement by instilling deeper skills in scientific inquiry in biology, chemistry, genetics and related topics, as well as critical laboratory leadership skill sets.
Allow graduate students to gather useful tools and experiences required for administrative and advancement opportunities within and beyond the forensic science laboratory in both governmental and private sectors.

Requirements

Applicants to this online master's forensic science degree 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 forensic science, biology, chemistry or physics, from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants are also required to be currently working in a forensic science/crime lab and must provide resume and letter of recommendation from their forensic science/crime lab director.

Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have completed a minimum of 6 credit hours.

Get program details

To learn more about this program, fill out the form below and check your email for information on next steps.

Online Professional Science Master’s in Forensic Science (PSM)

Get program details

Become a leader in crime science with an online master’s in forensic science

The School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences is:

Calendar

Next Start Date:

Featured Courses

Faculty

Program Summary

Related Careers

Careers for graduates of the online master's forensic science

Requirements

Affording college

Get program details