Forensic Science, PSM
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.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
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.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours - course-based master's
Required Core (9 credit hours) Other Requirement (18 credit hours) Restricted Electives (3 credit hours) FOR 503 Forensic Entomology (3) Additional Curriculum Information
FOR 525 Forensic Science and Governance (3)
FOR 550 Ethics in Forensic Science (3)
FOR 565 Laboratory Leadership, Policy and Practice (3)
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)
CRJ 574 Executive Leadership Principles (3)
FOR 502 Advanced Forensic Botany (3)
FOR 598 Topic: Forensic Crime Scene (3)
PSY 546 Advanced Forensic Psychology (3)
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.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Calculate statistical weights for evidentiary findings across multiple forensic disciplines.
- Evaluate forensic governance by considering its current state and application to forensic laboratories
- Develop a conclusion based on investigation of scientific forensic data.
Calculate statistical weights for evidentiary findings across multiple forensic disciplines.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
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: Additional Application Information The statement of purpose should describe the applicant's educational background, scholarly interests, and academic and professional goals.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer 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
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Interdisciplinary Forensics
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FAB N101
NCGradOnline@asu.edu
602-543-3000
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
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.
