Forensic Studies (M.S.)

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Forensic Studies, within the College of Arts and Sciences, offers comprehensive, interdisciplinary training through two applied research concentrations: (1) Forensic Behavior Analysis and (2) Human Identity and Trauma Analysis. The student may choose either a thesis or non-thesis option to complete the degree program with permission of their advisor.

The Forensic Behavior Analysis concentration integrates classical theory with contemporary research to synthesize theoretical perspectives to address current social problems relating to violence, sexual deviance, domestic relations, crime, terrorism, and disasters.

The Human Identify and Trauma Analysis concentration integrates the theory, practice, and methods used in medicolegal death investigations involving forensic techniques related to identification, crime scene investigation and documentation, the estimation of postmortem interval, ante- and perimortem trauma analysis, criminal justice theory, statistics, and GIS.

Our program comprises a rigorous curriculum that prepares students by grounding them in theory, methods, and hands-on training.  Typically, our graduates may pursue employment within investigative and law enforcement agencies, continue their education within a wide array of doctoral programs (e.g. forensic psychology, forensic anthropology, skeletal biology, bioarchaeology, or social work), and/or help to develop and promulgate social policy for local, county, state and federal bureaus.

Concentrations

• Forensic Behavioral Analysis Concentration
• Human Identity and Trauma Analysis Concentration

Program Admission Requirements

• Submit a completed FGCU Graduate Admissions Application and satisfy all applicable university admissions requirements.
• Submit a completed Immunization History Form
• Earned baccalaureate degree from an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body (https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/college-accreditation) or equivalent foreign institution and supply one official transcript from each baccalaureate and/or graduate institution attended.
• Submit an official copy of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) taken within the last five years with a combined quantitative and verbal score of 1100.
• Provide evidence of an undergraduate GPA of 3.25.
• Complete the following undergraduate courses or equivalent:

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credits
  ANT 3495	Methods in Anthro Research	3
  ANT 3520C	Forensic Anthropology 1	3
  ANT 3824	Archaeological Field Methods	6
  CCJ 3603	Forensic Behavioral Analysis 1	3

  ¹

  Forensic Behavioral Analysis Concentration applicants are only required to complete these two courses.  Human Identity and Trauma Analysis Concentration applicants must complete all four.

• International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.
• A criminal history through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement may be required for specific internships or elective work/study assignments.
• Special immunizations and screenings may be required for elective field work.
• Submit:
  • Three completed letters of recommendation from persons qualified to judge the applicant's academic and professional potential.
  • A letter of intent which describes research and career goals, no more than two pages in length (single spaced, 1-inch page borders, New Times Roman 12 point font), which specifies the student's area of concentration and foreseen ability to articulate with specific faculty.
  • Curriculum vitae.

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework in the program.
• Each Course for this program completed with a grade of C or higher.
• If pursuing the thesis option, follow the guidelines for submission of thesis materials through ProQuest.  Refer to the Graduate Studies website.
• Submit an application to graduate by the deadline noted in the Academic Calendar.
• Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the semester in which they apply for graduation.
• Earn more than 50% of the credits toward the degree FGCU.
• If pursuing the thesis option, submit one electronic copy of the completed thesis to ProQuest. Refer to the Graduate Studies website for guidelines.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses in the Major		(16 credits)
ANG 5525C	Human Osteology	4
CCJ 6606	Social Constructs of Crime	3
CCJ 6707	Adv. Quantitative Research	3
DSC 6596	Critical Thinking & Intel Anal	3
GIS 5306C	Advanced GIS: Spatial Analysis	3
Thesis or Non-Thesis		(18 credits)
Complete one from the following:
Thesis Option
CJE 6629	MS Thesis in Forensic Studies	6
Complete 12 credits from the Restricted Electives List below.
Non-Thesis Option
Complete 18 credits from the Restricted Electives List below.
Restricted Electives List:
ANG 6910	Supervised Research	1-6
CCJ 6617	Forensic Psychology	3
CCJ 6696	Human Trafficking	3
CCJ 6930	Spec Topics	3
CJE 5777C	Env'l & Subject Photography	3
CJE 6749	Ind. Research	3
CJL 6523	Forensic Analysis of Juries	3
Courses from the non-selected concentration below.
Courses outside the Forensic Studies program approved by the faculty advisor on a case-by-case basis.
Concentration		(9-10 credits)
Select one of the following concentrations:
Forensic Behavioral Analysis Concentration:
CCJ 6709	Advanced Qualitative Research	3
CCJ 6711	Research in Violent Behavior	3
CCJ 6941	Practicum-Frnsic Bhvrl Analyst	3
Human Identity and Trauma Analysis Concentration:
ANG 6740C	Forensic Anthropology	4
CCJ 5796	Ecology of Crime	3
CJE 6748	Practicum-Human Identity	3

Total Credits Required: 43