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Forensic Science, PSM

Forensic Science, PSM

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Forensic Science, PSM

Administration, Crime Lab, Crime Scene Investigator, Governance, Lab, Laboratory, Manager, Science, Scientist, crime scene, forensic, professional, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)

Want to advance your career in forensic science or law enforcement? Build your expertise in science while adding leadership and management skills, and prepare yourself for advancement in forensic labs, medicolegal offices or related careers where science and supervision go hand in hand.

Program description
Degree awarded: PSM  Forensic Science

The Professional Science Master's program in forensic science prepares you for career advancement by providing you with in-depth and broad educational coverage in the forensic sciences and helps you develop new competencies related to laboratory supervision. This includes an understanding of how to work with regulatory bodies that provide the framework for oversight in forensic laboratories, consistent with the guiding principles of the National Professional Science Master's Association.

You develop deeper scientific inquiry skills in biology, chemistry, genetics and related topics, as well as critical laboratory leadership skill sets.

As a successful graduate, you'll be equipped with the tools and experiences required for administrative and other advancement opportunities within and beyond the forensic science laboratory in both government and private sectors.

At a glance
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree requirements

30 credit hours - course-based master's

Required Core (9 credit hours)
FOR 525 Forensic Science and Governance (3)
FOR 550 Ethics in Forensic Science (3)
FOR 565 Laboratory Leadership, Policy and Practice (3)

Other Requirement (18 credit hours)
FOR 501 Forensic Toxicology (3) or FOR 598 Topic: Forensic Controlled Substance (3)
FOR 540 Advanced Topics in Human Forensic DNA Typing (3)
FOR 560 Quantitative Methods in Forensic Science Research (3)
FOR 598 Topic: Forensic Firearms (3)
FOR 598 Topic: Forensic Latent Prints (3)
SIF 598 Topic: Legal Reasoning and Principles for Behavioral and Forensic Scientists (3)

Restricted Electives (3 credit hours)
CRJ 574 Executive Leadership Principles (3)
FOR 502 Advanced Forensic Botany (3)

FOR 503 Forensic Entomology (3)
FOR 598 Topic: Forensic Crime Scene (3)
PSY 546 Advanced Forensic Psychology (3)

Additional Curriculum Information
This master's degree is a course-based program. For restricted elective coursework, students select one of the listed courses in consultation with their program advisor.

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency

Applicants 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 an appropriate physical, biological or computer science or related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Applicants are required to submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. statement of purpose
  4. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

The statement of purpose should describe the applicant's educational background, scholarly interests, and academic and professional goals.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

Career opportunities

The PSM program in forensic science provides leadership training in the field of forensic science to practicing professionals in science and forensic science, criminalistics and medical examiner offices; to office personnel; and to members of the law enforcement and legal communities. Program graduates have the skills and experience to pursue a new career path or to advance in their current careers. Graduates with a master's degree in forensic science have gone on to careers that include jobs such as:

  • biomedical researcher
  • crime or forensic laboratory director, manager or supervisor
  • crime scene investigator
  • forensic anthropologist
  • forensic engineer
  • forensic nurse
  • forensic scientist or criminalist
  • forensic toxicologist
  • law enforcement officer or supervisor
  • military service member
  • pharmaceutical researcher

Some graduates go on to professional schools and further graduate education, including Doctor of Philosophy programs.

Contact information

Program term definitions

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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