** We are still accepting MSFS applications for Fall 2008 **
The Master of Science in Forensic Science is a two-year, full-time, non-thesis graduate program. Students must complete 44 graduate semester hours of coursework covering a wide range of forensic science topics. Our curriculum was revised to include the core courses and topics necessary to meet national standards in forensic science education (US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, Special Report: Education and Training in Forensic Science, 2004).
The program is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities essential to forensic science. This unique and interdisciplinary program was the first of its kind in Texas. Graduate level topics include crime scene investigation, pattern evidence, controlled substances, trace evidence and microscopic analysis, forensic biology, law/science interface, ethics, and quality assurance. These core topics are complemented with advanced coursework and laboratory instruction. The program maintains strong ties with accredited forensic laboratories in both the private and public sectors. Students are required to complete an internship in a forensic laboratory, complete an independent research project, and demonstrate good oral and written skills that will prepare them for future success in both the laboratory and in the courtroom.
