| Graduate Program Head | Scott Selleck |
|---|---|
| Program Code | FRNSC |
| Campus(es) | University Park (M.P.S.) |
| Degrees Conferred | Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) |
| The Graduate Faculty |
The Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Forensic Science is an inter-college degree program housed in the Eberly College of Science and includes ties with Departments of Anthropology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Entomology, Psychology, and Sociology. The program is offered by Penn State Graduate Faculty members, with enrichment by mentors from the academic faculty, public crime laboratories, and private forensic laboratories. The curriculum is designed to provide students with innovative, hands-on, and multidisciplinary learning approaches to educate and train them in crime scene investigation, the science behind forensics, courtroom proceedings, and the ethical and social issues that they will be exposed to when they join the forensic community. In addition, the program will develop teamwork and communication skills, which will be important when working actual cases in a crime laboratory.
Admission Requirements
Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 General Admissions Standards.
The master's degree in Forensic Science is appropriate for students with a baccalaureate degree in the biological sciences, chemistry, or a related field of study. Applicants are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in their undergraduate degree. GRE scores are required, with a score of 1100 (old system) or 306 (new system) to be competitive. In addition, each applicant is asked to provide a personal statement of interests and objectives, a statement of their definition of the word "ethics" and two letters of reference. Letters of reference can be submitted by the student's undergraduate adviser, research adviser, and/or an instructor for an upper level course taken as part of their major. An applicant may be asked to go through an interview process conducted by members of the forensic science faculty. Admission to the program is based upon a thorough review of all applicant qualifications, and the best-qualified applicants will be accepted up to the number of spaces available for new students.
Degree Requirements
Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.)
Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-700 Professional Degree Requirements.
Chemistry Emphasis
A minimum of 41 credits are required for completion of the program, with at least 19 credits from courses at the 500 and 800-level, and at least 6 credits at the 500 level. Students are required to take 27 credits from the core courses listed below and 11 additional credits of Chemistry course work. Elective credits are from courses which are determined based on interest and career track. FRNSC 801 will serve as the capstone course for completion of the M.P.S. in Forensic Science.
Biology Emphasis
A minimum of 42 credits are required for completion of the program, with at least 20 credits from courses at the 500 and 800-level, and at least 6 credits at the 500 level. Students are required to take 27 credits from the core courses listed below and 12 additional credits of Biology coursework. Elective credits are from courses which are determined based on interest and career track. FRNSC 801 will serve as the capstone course for completion of the M.P.S. in Forensic Science.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| FRNSC 400 | Courtroom Proceedings and Testimony | 1 |
| FRNSC 410 | A Scientific Approach to Crime Scene Investigation | 2 |
| FRNSC 411 | Criminalistics: Trace and Impression Evidence | 3 |
| FRNSC 413 | Criminalistics: Biology | 3 |
| FRNSC 415 | Laboratory in Crime Scene Investigation | 2 |
| FRNSC 475 | Forensic Science Seminar | 1 |
| FRNSC 532 | Drug Chemistry and Toxicology | 3 |
| FRNSC 541 | Forensic Seminar Series | 1 |
| FRNSC 561 | Ethics in forensic Science | 1 |
| FRNSC 894 | Research Projects in Forensic Science | 6 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Select one of the following emphases: | 11-12 | |
Forensic Chemistry Emphasis | ||
| Chromatography and Electrochemistry | ||
| Seminar in Chemistry | ||
FRNSC 427 | ||
| Forensic Chemistry II | ||
Forensic Biology Emphasis | ||
| Molecular Biology of the Gene | ||
| Colloquium | ||
FRNSC 421 | ||
| Forensic Molecular Biology II | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select at least 3 credits of the following: | 3 | |
| Sociology of Deviance | ||
| Sexual and Domestic Violence | ||
| Organized Crime | ||
| Crime and the American Court System | ||
| Women and the Criminal Justice System | ||
| Psychology of Adjustment and Social Relationships | ||
| Culminating Experience | ||
| FRNSC 801 | Criminalistics III 1 | 4 |
| Total Credits | 41-42 | |
| 1 | FRNSC 801 serves as the capstone course for completion of the M.P.S. in Forensic Science. |
Student Aid
Graduate assistantships available to students in this program and other forms of student aid are described in the Tuition & Funding section of The Graduate School’s website. Students on graduate assistantships must adhere to the course load limits set by The Graduate School.
Courses
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
Contact
Graduate Program Head: Scott Selleck
Director of Graduate Studies/Professor-in-Charge: Jack Hietpas
Primary Program Contact: Maria Long
Email: mrd1@psu.edu
Mailing Address: 107 Whitmore Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802
Telephone: (814) 867-2465
Program Website: Forensic Science