Additional information

Admissions requirements

To begin your Master of Science, Forensic Science degree, you must have an undergraduate degree in a natural or forensic science with relevant background courses suitable to the area of study in which you are interested.

If such a background is lacking or incomplete, you may be asked to make up for these deficiencies in addition to pursuing the normal graduate program. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for admission. If you do not meet the GPA requirement, you may be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be admitted to the program on probation.

Required application materials

If you have any questions about meeting the requirements, please contact Dr. Bailey to discuss your unique qualifications. We do not require the GRE for admission.

Graduate School Application

Upon filling out the application, one has the choice to choose a concentration to supplement their Master's Degree. If one does not desire to choose a concentration, then leave that section blank on the application.

1. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
2. Departmental application

Submitting Application Materials

The following items must be provided/completed at the time of application submission through the Application Portal:

*Unofficial bachelor's degree transcript

*Departmental application located within the Graduate School application

*Three letters of reference – Ask your references to complete the online graduate reference form

Official transcripts

Students must submit official bachelor’s degree transcripts containing at least 60 credit hours of coursework and final grades. Any additional transcripts from college credit accumulated after the bachelor’s degree MUST be submitted if you will be using these credits for transfer credit or for last 60 GPA. Transcripts are considered official when they arrive in the Graduate Office in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution or are received through a secure electronic transcript service to gradinfo@emporia.edu.

If the transcripts need to be mailed, send to:

Emporia State University
Graduate School
Campus Box 4003
Emporia State University
1 Kellogg Circle
Emporia, KS 66801-5415

Applications will be considered based on your undergraduate grade point average (minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) and the content and quality of your application materials. Applications are considered on an individual basis, and you may be admitted on probation if you do not meet all application criteria.

You may begin the program in the fall or spring semester.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MS Forensic Science program at Emporia State University, students will:
• Gain experience in a variety of analytical techniques in forensic biology, forensic chemistry, toxicology, and trace evidence.
• Perform research in an area of their choosing while being mentored by faculty and practitioners in the field.
• Learn to effectively communicate their findings to a wide variety of audiences.

Criminal History

Students considering a Master of Science in Forensic Science must be mindful of the fact that internship or employment in a crime laboratory requires extensive background checks. Potential employers may not hire applicants who have been arrested for or convicted of felony and serious misdemeanor violations such as:
• Alcohol and drug violations
• Property crimes (i.e. theft or burglary)
• Violent crimes (murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, etc.)
• Firearms-related crimes
• Moral turpitude (indecent exposure, solicitation of a prostitute)
• Serious traffic violations
• Serious credit problems.
Other crimes not listed above may also be grounds for an applicant to be eliminated as a potential intern or employee. Untruthfulness during any part of the application process is normally grounds for disqualification as well. Prospective students are strongly urged to consider this when applying to the program and to contact the Interim Program Director with any concerns or questions prior to application to the MSFS program.

Degree requirements for DNA Analysts

To pursue a career in DNA analysis, you must meet the following requirements (from Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories (hyperlink - https://strbase.nist.gov/dabqas.htm#personnel):

A Master’s degree in biology-, chemistry- or forensic science-related areas with a minimum of 12 semester credit hours (or equivalent) of a combination of undergraduate and graduate coursework covering the following:

Biochemistry.

Genetics + Molecular Biology (molecular genetics, recombinant DNA technology).

Statistics and/or Population Genetics.

Emporia State University offers classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels that meet these requirements.

Curriculum

Required Courses

• CH 732 Communication in the Sciences
• FO 702 Biological and Physical Evidence 3 hours
• FO 711 Forensic Microscopy Laboratory 1 hour
• FO 730 Ethics and Professionalism in Forensic Science 1 hour
• FO 770 Graduate Research Seminar 1-2 hours
• FO 771 Forensic Science Seminar 1-2 hours
• FO 850 Molecular Techniques for Forensic Science 3 hours

Electives at or above the 500 level to equal 40 total program hours.

Research - At least 1 of the following (minimum 3 hours):

• FO 803 Current Research in Forensic Science 3 hours
• FO 809 Graduate Project in Forensic Science 1-6 hours
• FO 886 Internship: Forensic Science 3 hours
• FO 890 Thesis, MSFS 1-6 hours

Total Hours for M.S. in Forensic Science 40 hours