Master of Forensic Sciences

Lead Faculty: Dr. Ismail M. Sebetan

The Master of Forensic Sciences (MFS) is a specialized professional degree designed for law enforcement, lab personnel, attorneys, investigators and other professionals seeking to upgrade their existing skills, as well as individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the forensic sciences, law, law enforcement, private or governmental laboratories, jails and corrections and Medical Examiner's Office. The field of forensics focuses on the application of scientific methods to the resolution of legal problems.

Program Learning Outcomes:
The intended outcome of the MFS courses is to prepare students with the foundation, knowledge and skills needed to meet the scientific and practical demands of the forensic profession as it interfaces with the community at all levels.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Describe the component of medico-legal investigations and implications of death investigations with respect to the roles and responsibilities of the different forensic disciplines, and demonstrate knowledge of the forensic/medico-legal terminology and the scientific techniques used in medico-legal investigations.
• Identify the characteristics that differentiate the manner of death (natural, homicide, suicide or accidental), and the principles of methods used for estimation of the time of death and human Identification.
• Explain the methods and procedures applied by the forensic/crime laboratories to identify and characterize the genetic markers and DNA from the forensic biological evidentiary samples such as blood, semen, saliva and other body fluids and stains, to associate a person, place or item with a crime, in addition to the civil applications of analysis the biological sample to solve the cases of disputed paternity and baby mix-up.
• Describe the principles and fundamentals of poisons and the circumstances of poisoning cases and identify the required toxicological samples, methods of collection, preservation and analysis.
• Describe items of physical evidence at crime scene, and methods of collection, preservation, analysis, comparison, and report preparation.
• Describe and demonstrate the basic principles of forensic photography, and explain the legal issues related to forensic photography and courtroom or trial presentation.
• Identify the legal issues involved in crime scene processing and evidence collection and explain fundamental crime scene processing techniques with various types of physical evidence.
• Describe different methods used for human identification with the role played by the forensic anthropologist in death investigations.
• Develop a realistic and broader perspective of the theories, techniques and practices which apply to virtually all investigations.
• Explain the intrinsic factors to all successful investigations that it is more art than science; and that a course of advanced study must finally be discussed in terms of precepts rather than rigid methods despite the methodical and exhausting treatment of a particular case.
• The course will also employ general principles and special theorems; and dispel the myths that every crime is intrinsically solvable, or that there exists a normative criteria for judging the success or failure of an investigation.
• Describe methods used in crime scene analysis and demonstrate full awareness of methods appropriate to profiling with applying profiling knowledge to crime scene variables.
• Describe the legal and psychological issues involved in competency to stand trial, diminished capacity, and insanity defenses.
• Evaluate the current state of the art, tools and techniques of psychological and psychiatric testing.
• Understand the role of the forensic scientists as expert witnesses.
• Fully understand the meaning and objective of scientific research, develop research question and apply the appropriate research methodology, discuss the data and make recommendations based on the obtained data and the analyzed results.

The Master of Forensic Sciences degree program offers two areas of specialization (AOS).  It is required that the student take one AOS.

Requirements

(12 courses, 54 quarter units)
For students in the BS in criminal justice administration/MFS transition program, the University will waive the two forensic sciences courses taken as part of the bachelor's degree (see BS in criminal justice transition program), but these students must still meet the residency requirements for the MFS.

To receive an MFS, students must complete at least 54 quarter units of graduate course work. A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and provided the units were not used in earning another advanced degree. Students should refer to the section on graduate admission requirements for specific information regarding application and matriculation.

Students must have an undergraduate degree in a laboratory science in order to enroll in the Master of Forensic Sciences with a specialization in criminalistics. The Master of Forensic Sciences with a specialization in investigation does not have a specific major requirement for the undergraduate degree.

Core Requirements (8 courses, 36 quarter units):
FSC 630 - Principles of Forensic Medicine
FSC 642 - Forensic Pathology (Prerequisite: FSC 630)
FSC 643 - Forensic Psychology, Psychiatry and the Law 
FSC 648 - Forensic and Crime Scene Photography
FSC 631 - Major Case Investigation
FSC 647 - Crime Scene Investigation
FSC 654 - Criminal Investigation Analysis: Profiling
FSC 662 - Supervised Graduate Research Project*

*This is a two-month, one-meeting-per week course with a significant research component. Grading is by "H" (for Honors, "B" or better work), "S" (for marginal, "C" level work), or "U"(Unsatisfactory, "D" or below).

Students who do not complete the Research Project within the two-month period are eligible, at the discretion of the instructor, to receive a grade of "K" with a maximum of a one time six-month extension. Students who do not complete the project at the end of the extension period will need to retake FSC 662. No grade of "I" (Incomplete) can be given for this course.

MFS Areas of Specialization

Specialization in Criminalistics (886)
The Specialization in Criminalistics requires that students have an undergraduate degree in physical science. The specialization courses include Trace Evidence, Advanced Forensic Toxicology, Advanced Forensic Serology and DNA, and Forensic Anthropology and Archeology, as well as coursework in: Forensic Medicine and Pathology; Psychology, Psychiatry, and the Law; Major Case Investigation; Crime Scene Investigation; and Criminal Investigation Analysis (Profiling).

The program culminates in a supervised master's research project directed by full-time faculty and a committee of associate and core adjunct faculty selected by students from their program.

Program Requirements (4 courses, 18 quarter units):
FSC 632 - Trace Evidence
FSC 633 - Advanced Forensic Toxicology
FSC 634 - Advanced Forensic Serology and DNA
FSC 635 - Forensic Anthropology and Archeology

Specialization in Investigation (887)
The Specialization in Investigation is designed to provide graduate education in the most current and advanced forensic investigative techniques available in the field, with a wide understanding of the concepts underlying the forensic sciences. This program is suitable for those students who are interested in pursuing a career in forensic crime and death investigations.

The program also allows individuals who are currently working in forensic investigation areas to develop and upgrade their individual educational skills. The specialization courses include Advanced Criminalistics, Electronic Crime Scene Investigation: Computer Forensics, Constitution and Criminal Procedure, and Advanced Fingerprint Analysis.

The program also includes forensic-related writing and research. The program culminates in a supervised master's research project directed by full-time faculty and a committee of associate and core adjunct faculty selected by students from their program.

Program Requirements (4 courses, 18 quarter units):
FSC 620 - Advanced Criminalistics
FSC 621 - Electronic Crime Scene Investigation: Computer Forensics
FSC 622 - Constitution and Criminal Procedure
FSC 623 - Advanced Fingerprint Analysis

Program Electives
For electives, students can take any graduate School of Business and Management courses including:
FSC 661 - Internship in Forensic Sciences (1.5-4.5 quarter units)
FSC 651 - Selected Topics in Forensic Sciences

Program Information

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Online Education

This program is available online.

Program Locations

• Costa Mesa Campus
• Henderson Campus
• Sacramento Campus
• Spectrum Business Park Campus

Related Downloads

• Careers in Forensics