Departments & Programs
Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program
Graduate Program
Master of Science in Forensic Science
Description
The M.S. Program in Forensic Science, which awards an Indiana University degree, requires 30 credit hours of study beyond the baccalaureate level. It is designed for students seeking careers as professional forensic scientists who desire employment in the criminal justice field or a related area. There are two ways to complete the MS, the thesis MS or the non-thesis, accelerated MS. The MS Thesis Program is FEPAC-accredited.
General Degree Options and Requirements
Students must apply in one of the following concentrations; forensic chemistry or forensic biology. All students take a core of required courses which include a professional issues course, law courses and a microscopy course. Each concentration and track (thesis or non-thesis) contains specific required courses taken by students in that concentration and track.
This thesis program requires 18 credit hours of course work and 12 credit hours of thesis completion and defense and is available to full time students. A non-thesis option is available and this program includes 30 credit hours of classes approved by the department. This may include up to six credits of internship and research.
Admission
The admission requirements are as follows:
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the physical or life sciences such as chemistry, biology, forensic science, pharmacology/toxicology, or a related science
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 for all undergraduate work
The program will serve full- and part-time students who meet the above requirements as well as students who are presently employed full time in a forensic science laboratory or other analytical laboratory.
How to Apply for the Full-Time Thesis MS
Application to the program can be done completely online. The online application is called the "Indiana University Graduate Centralized Application System (CAS)."
You will be directed to create an account to begin your application. The application can be filled out in stages and saved along the way so you can return to it later. The CAS system has provisions for uploading your personal statement and listing contact names for two letters of recommendation.
These people will automatically be emailed and asked to input their letters of recommendation.
Please arrange for your previous academic institutions to send official, sealed transcripts to FIS Graduate Admissions, 402 N. Blackford St., LD 326, Indianapolis, IN 46202. International applicants will need to provide transcripts in both native language and English, as well as a certificate of diploma.
The Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program accepts applications once a year for beginning matriculation in the Fall semester. The deadline for applying to the thesis program is December 15 prior to the year you wish to start. Applications must be complete by January 15 or they will not be considered. Applicants must submit the following:
1. The completed application which will also require:
- Two letters of recommendation. These would normally be from professors who can evaluate your ability to successfully complete graduate work in forensic science.
- A personal statement that discusses your educational and work background, and experience (if any) in forensic science, and research interests if you are full time. Supplemental questions requests information about which degree (thesis or non-thesis) and track (forensic biology or chemistry) is applied for along with requiring a list of relevant coursework.
2. Official final transcripts from all higher education institutions that you attended.
Applicants are not normally considered on a rolling basis. They are generally considered en masse after the December 15 deadline. You will be notified by mid-February after the decision is made.
How to Apply for the Non-Thesis MS
Application to the program can be done completely online. The online application is called the "Indiana University Graduate Centralized Application System (CAS)."
You will be directed to create an account to begin your application. The application can be filled out in stages and saved along the way so you can return to it later. The CAS system has provisions for uploading your personal statement, supplemental questions for, and listing contact names for two letters of recommendation. These people will automatically be emailed and asked to input their letters of recommendation.
The Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program review of applications will begin in late February and will continue on a rolling basis until the March 15 deadline. Applications will also be considered for the Spring term if there is availability (completed by October 1).
Applicants must submit the following:
1. The completed application which will also require:
- Two letters of recommendation. These would normally be from professors who can evaluate your ability to successfully complete graduate work in forensic science.
- A personal statement that discusses your educational and work background, interest and experience (if any) in forensic science, and research interests if you are full time. Supplemental questions requests information about which degree (thesis or non-thesis) and track (forensic biology or chemistry) is applied for along with requiring a list of relevant coursework.
2. Official final transcripts from all higher education institutions that you attended.
You will be notified within a few weeks after the decision is made.
The Curriculum
The thesis and non-thesis M.S. program consists of 30 semester credit hours. It is anticipated that the thesis program can be completed within two years by full-time students. The non-thesis program can be completed in one academic year plus two summer courses. The credit hours are to be distributed as follows:
All students (thesis and non-thesis) take the following courses (course substitutions only with Graduate Advisor approval):
- FIS-I 500 Crime Scene Investigation and Quality Assurance (2 cr.)
- FIS-I 510 Forensic Microscopy Lecture (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 511 Forensic Microscopy Lab (2 cr.)
- FIS-I 550 Forensic Science and the Law (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 590 Forensic Science Seminar (1 cr.)
Students in the forensic chemistry concentration (thesis and non-thesis) must take the following courses:
- FIS-I 505 Overview of Forensic Biology (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 520 Forensic Chemistry (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 521 Forensic Chemistry I Lab (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 530 Forensic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 531 Forensic Chemistry II Lab (1 cr.)
Students in the forensic biology concentration (thesis and non-thesis) must take the following courses:
- FIS-I 515 Overview of Forensic Chemistry (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 540 Forensic Biology I Lecture (3 cr.)
- FIS-I 541 Forensic Biology I Lab (2 cr.)
- FIS-I 560 Population Genetics (3 cr.)
Thesis students must take the following courses:
- FIS-I 698 Thesis Research (12 cr.)
Non-thesis students must take the following courses:
- FIS-N 570 Laboratory Project Design (2 cr.)
- FIS-N 580 Forensic Science Laboratory Management (2 cr.)
Elective Courses MS Non-Thesis
Electives approved by department (8 cr.). This may include up to 6 credits of internship and/or research. A student may also take courses in other concentrations as part of these credits.
*No more than 6 credits of 300-level or 400-level courses are allowed on the plan of study.
- *FIS-I 300 Forensic Microscopy (1 cr.)
- FIS-I 596 Special Topics in Forensic and Investigative Sciences (1-6 cr.)
- ANTH-A 560 Forensic Anthropology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-I 507 Principles of Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-I 512 Advanced Cell Biology (3 cr.)
- BIOL-I 697 Special Topics in Biology (1-3 cr.)
- CHEM-I 613 Mass Spectrometry (3 cr.)
- CHEM-I 619 Electroanalytical Chemistry (3 cr.)
- PSY-I 600 Statistical Inference (3 cr.)
- PSY-I 601 Correlation and Experimental Design (3 cr.)
Other electives are available that vary year-to-year. Check with the FIS program and obtain approval before registering.
Internship or Research for MS Non-Thesis
- FIS-I 595 Internship in Forensic Science (1-6 cr.)
- FIS-I 596 Research in Forensic Science (1-6 cr.)
