Best Master’s in Forensic Science Degree Programs of 2023

University of New Haven is renowned around the world for its excellence in forensic science. As one of the first universities to offer a forensic science program, UNH has a long history of successfully preparing future experts in this field. This Master of Science program takes four semesters to complete and includes a required thesis project on a research topic of your choice. Courses include Forensic Expert Testimony, Advanced Criminalistics, and Capillary Electrophoresis. The Princeton Review named UNH's Career Development Center one of the best in the nation, so as a student, you can benefit from stellar career guidance and networking opportunities. These career resources, coupled with UNH's strong reputation in forensic science, can make your application stand out on the job market.

Sam Houston State University's Master of Science in Forensic Science is highly interdisciplinary and customizable. In fact, SHSU was the first university in Texas to offer Forensic Science degree programs and to give students the flexibility to tailor their degree to their personal interests and goals. In the program, you'll study topics as diverse as forensic biology, forensic toxicology, controlled substance analysis, trace evidence and microscopy, instrumental analysis, crime scene investigation, pattern evidence, law and forensic science, ethics, and quality assurance. You'll also spend plenty of time in the lab, applying what you learn in the classroom and preparing for what awaits you as a forensic science professional.

Michigan State University's Master of Science in Forensic Science program through the School of Criminal Justice was among the first to be accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Committee in 2004 and has retained accreditation since then. In addition to core courses in both forensic science and chemistry, MSU's program strongly emphases research; as part of your degree, you will conduct an independent research project that culminates in a written thesis and oral defense. You even get access to funding to present your research at local and national forensic science conferences, which are great public speaking and networking opportunities. You're also strongly encouraged to pursue at least one internship in the course of your studies.

University of Central Florida's Master of Science in Forensic Science is designed for current and aspiring forensic science professionals. You'll be able to tailor your degree path to your unique needs and goals by selecting one of three concentrations: Forensic Analysis, Forensic Biochemistry, or Forensic Professional. The Forensic Biochemistry and Forensic Analysis concentrations require you to perform original research and defend a written thesis, whereas the Forensic Professional concentration requires an independent study capstone project instead of a thesis. Whichever path you choose, you will benefit from a wide range of electives and flexibility within the curriculum to curate courses that will best prepare you for the next stage in your career.

University at Albany is one of the four "university centers" of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. UAlbany's Master of Science in Forensic Science program stands out because of its emphasis on applied learning and internships. UAlbany has a unique collaborative relationship with the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center and other forensic science agencies and research institutions, which makes it easier to secure competitive internships that will not only help you apply what you learn in the classroom to a real-world setting but also enhance your resume and employability. In this STEM-designated degree program, you take courses like Forensic Genetics, Courtroom Testimony for Forensic Scientists, and Advanced Molecular Biology.

Florida International University's Global Forensic and Justice Center offers a Master of Science in Forensic Science that is designed for science graduates who want rigorous, research-oriented training in forensic science. The curriculum is science-based and includes a research project and thesis, which you complete under the guidance of a faculty member. Your coursework would include Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Biology, and Forensic Analysis, coupled with your choice of elective courses within the Forensic Science department and/or the fields of Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Criminal Justice, Legal Psychology, and Medical Laboratory Sciences. If you're a practicing forensic scientist, you can transfer up to six credits from another institution and can conduct the required research hours in your work laboratory.

University of Baltimore's program differs from the others on this list because its focus is cyber forensics. UB's Master of Science in Cyber Forensics prepares you to investigate criminal activity involving computer and digital information systems, recover and analyze data, preserve evidence, and understand the law. The 10-course curriculum includes coursework in forensic investigation techniques; computer and digital information crimes; cybersecurity attacks, threats, and risk assessment; prevention and security management strategies; and legal interventions and resolutions. In UB's brand new computer lab, you gain hands-on experience breaking down computer hardware and learning to employ relevant software in investigations. Classes are held in the evenings and are designed for working professionals.

Bowling Green State University's main campus is home to a brand-new, world-class Bureau of Criminal Investigation crime laboratory and investigations facility. This means you have access to ample hands-on learning opportunities, which enhance both your learning and your employability. Through crime houses, you get the chance to investigate real-world crime scenes on campus. Your courses are taught by faculty and accomplished forensic and CSI professionals with a wealth of first-hand knowledge about forensic investigations. You can choose between a thesis option and a research option for your capstone project, depending on your interests and goals. Whichever path you choose, you'll take courses like Pharmacology/Toxicology of Drug Addiction, Forensic Chemistry Lab & Moot Court, and Forensic Biology.

Missouri Western State University offers both a Master of Applied Science degree and a certificate in Forensic Investigations in a combination of formats: online, face-to-face, semester-long, and one-week intensive. As a Forensic Investigations student, you will benefit from cooperative partnerships with the Southern Institute of Forensic Science, which offers fully accredited undergraduate and postgraduate courses and specialized workshops and seminars. In the Master of Applied Science program, you will take courses like Death Investigation, Criminal Investigative Methods, and Courtroom Testimony & Procedure. You also get to choose a handful of electives from options such as Forensic Accounting, Analysis of Biological Evidence, and Graduate Internship. You also have the option to carry out an original research project.

Pace University, located in New York City, offers a science-based Master of Science in Forensic Science that prepares you for a career in crime scene investigation, a fast-growing field. As a Pace student, you benefit from cutting-edge facilities and resources, including a new state-of-the-art DNA sequencing lab and specialized laboratories with virtual crime scene reconstruction software and forensic microscopy. But what truly makes Pace's program stand out are the faculty members, the vast majority of whom maintain full-time affiliations with the major forensic laboratories of local and federal law enforcement agencies. This means you get to learn from experts in the field who put the concepts they teach into practice every day on the job.