PhD in Forensic Science

Mission

The educational objectives and mission of the PhD in Forensic Science are to provide students with the critical thinking ability, problem-solving skills, and advanced, discipline-specific knowledge to allow them to advance into leadership positions.

This will be accomplished by demonstrating the ability to perform independent, original research, the successful completion of multidisciplinary academic coursework, hands-on experience in the laboratory, and collaboration with accredited forensic laboratories, institutes and partners.

Educational Objectives

1. Provide students the knowledge, skills, and abilities to prepare them for successful careers in forensic science.
2. Develop students’ critical thinking ability, problem-solving skills, and advanced discipline-specific knowledge.
3. Produce high quality graduates capable of advancement into leadership positions.
4. Engage in collaborative research that demonstrates industrial relevance and wider scientific awareness.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Science is an interdisciplinary science degree that is designed to provide students with the critical thinking ability, problem-solving skills, and advanced, discipline-specific knowledge to allow them to advance into leadership positions. This is accomplished by demonstrating the ability to perform independent, original research, the successful completion of multidisciplinary academic coursework, hands-on experience in the laboratory, and collaboration with accredited forensic laboratories, institutes and partners.

The PhD in Forensic Science requires the completion of 86 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. Students complete:

The curriculum is designed to deliver an essential core curriculum in forensic science, together with specialized electives and intensive research in the area of interest. Students are expected to fulfill the requirements during approximately five years of full-time study.

Program Breakdown

Applicants seeking admission to the doctoral program in forensic science must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions

• Graduate Admissions Application
• Application Fee

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in chemistry, biology, forensic or natural science

• Official transcript(s) from degree granting institution(s)
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Program Application
• Personal statement, not to exceed 1000 words
• Three letters of recommendation in addition to the Admission Recommendation Checklist. A minimum of two letters must be from faculty who are sufficiently acquainted with the student to comment on potential for success in the doctoral program
• Current resume or vita
• Official GRE scores
• In some instances, a personal interview may be requested.

The program requires the completion of a minimum of eighty-six hours of graduate credit, as prescribed in the plan below.

Students must register full-time and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all courses. In order to advance to candidacy students must have successfully completed (or be currently enrolled in) forty-four graduate credit hours of coursework and research, submit a portfolio for review, write a formal research proposal and orally defend the proposal typically by the close of the second spring semester. Once the doctoral program committee determines that the portfolio, proposal and defense are satisfactory, the student may enroll in dissertation credits.

A minimum of fifteen hours of dissertation credits are required and students must maintain continuous enrollment until they graduate. Students must complete and defend a doctoral dissertation, which is the product of original scholarly research and is of sufficient publishable quality to represent a meaningful contribution to knowledge in the field of forensic science.