Syracuse University - College of Arts and Sciences
M.S. in Forensic Science
Syracuse, USA
MSc
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
16 Jan 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 61,607 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Total Including Fees and Living Expenses
Key Summary
The Masters of Science in Forensic Science is a 36 credit hour program of study designed to offer students both a global perspective and an opportunity for in-depth study at the graduate level in forensic science. The degree provides students with a fundamental understanding of the concepts and principles involved in the application of scientific techniques to forensic investigations and to the criminal justice system. Recent advances in basic scientific research have had a rapid and dramatic impact on these fields and it is only through an understanding of these critical scientific concepts that those in the legal system may be effective in criminal investigations and judicial proceedings. A graduate M.S. degree in Forensic Science offers a strong complement for people interested in a focus on criminal justice as related to major areas of study such as anthropology, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, psychology, engineering, journalism, education, medicine, and law.
Students can choose to enroll in the advanced, general, or nuclear forensics track.
Key Benefits of our program
- Optimal training opportunities and direct interaction with practitioners in the field
- Faculty mentor, teach, and advise students, paying close attention to their development
- Flexible programs enable students to tailor courses to their individual needs and goals.
- Experiential training opportunities in world-class facilities, such as LGS Bell Labs Innovations, Brookhaven National Laboratory, the New York State Police Crime Laboratory System, and The Wallie Howard Jr. Center for Forensic Sciences (Onondaga County, New York)
- Gateway courses in "Research and Career Resources" and "Quality Assurance and Ethics"
Advanced Track
I. Gateway Courses - 19 Credits Required
- FSC 606 - Advanced Forensic Science 3 credit(s)
- FSC 631 - Statistics for Forensic Science 3 credit(s)
- FSC 632 - Research and Career Resources 3 credit(s)
- FSC 633 - Quality Assurance and Ethics 3 credit(s)
- FSC 644 - Forensic Chemical Analysis 4 credit(s)
- FSC 668 - Crime Scene Investigation 3 credit(s)
II. Electives - 14 Credits Required
At least 9 elective credits must be a part of a designated concentration. Student-specific concentrations, potentially including FSC 690, may be allowed by petition.
| Biology Concentration | Crime Scene Investigation Concentration | Forensic Anthropology Concentration | Forensic Chemistry Concentration |
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| Impressions Evidence Concentration | Jurisprudence Concentration | Linguistics Concentration | Medicolegal Death Investigation Concentration |
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| National Security Concentration | Psychiatry & Behavioral Science Concentration | Toxicology Concentration | |
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Full Electives List
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III. Research - 3 credits required
Each student is required to participate in original research, write a detailed report of publishable quality, and successfully defend the results in front of a committee of three faculty members in a public seminar. This research should be conducted as part of an on- or off-campus research project, internship, or independent study. Additional credits of independent study or internship may be used to satisfy elective credit or concentration credit by petition.
IV. Seminar Requirement
Each student is required to participate in the FNSSI seminar program by attending at least 50% of the seminars during their semesters as an M.S. student in Syracuse.
General Track
I. Gateway Courses - 12 Credits Required
- FSC 606 - Advanced Forensic Science 3 credit(s)
- FSC 631 - Statistics for Forensic Science 3 credit(s)
- FSC 632 - Research and Career Resources 3 credit(s)
- FSC 633 - Quality Assurance and Ethics 3 credit(s)
II. Electives - 21 Credits Required
At least 9 elective credits must be a part of a designated concentration. Student-specific concentrations, potentially including FSC 690, may be allowed by petition.
Biology Concentration
- FSC 641 - Forensic Analysis of Biological Evidence 3 credit(s)
- FSC 645 - Forensic Biochemical Analysis 3 credit(s)
- FSC 672 - Advanced Light Microscopy 3 credit(s)
- FSC 674 - Forensic DNA Analysis 3 credit(s)
- FSC 676 - Cold Cases 3 credit(s)
- BCM 678 - Perspectives in Biochemistry 3 credit(s)
- BIO 662 - Molecular Genetics 3 credit(s)
- BIO 663 - Molecular Biotechnology 4 credit(s)
- BIO 665 - Molecular Biology Laboratory 3 credit(s)
- BIO 675 - Biochemistry Laboratory 4 credit(s)
- CHE 677 - Proteins and Nucleic Acids Lab 3 credit(s)
Crime Scene Investigation Concentration
- FSC 662 - Forensic Entomology 3 credit(s)
- FSC 663 - Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 3 credit(s)
- FSC 665 - Latent Prints 3 credit(s)
- FSC 667 - Forensic Photography 3 credit(s)
- FSC 668 - Crime Scene Investigation 3 credit(s)
- FSC 678 - Crime Scene Investigation II 3 credit(s)
Forensic Anthropology Concentration
- ANT 600 - Selected Topics 1-6 credit(s) Reading the Body
- ANT 633 - Human Osteology 3 credit(s)
- ANT 634 - Anthropology of Death 3 credit(s)
- ANT 636 - Bioarchaeology 3 credit(s)
Forensic Chemistry Concentration
- FSC 644 - Forensic Chemical Analysis 4 credit(s)
- FSC 657 - Principles of Human Toxicology 3 credit(s)
- CHE 575 - Organic Spectroscopy 3 credit(s)
- CHE 677 - Proteins and Nucleic Acids Lab 3 credit(s)
Impressions Evidence Concentration
- FSC 661 - Firearms and Impression Evidence 3 credit(s)
- FSC 664 - Latent Print Processing 3 credit(s)
- FSC 665 - Latent Prints 3 credit(s)
- FSC 671 - Firearms and Impressions Evidence II 3 credit(s)
- FSC 673 - Mechanics of Modern Firearms 3 credit(s)
- FSC 675 - Latent Prints II 3 credit(s)
Jurisprudence Concentration
- LAW 604 - Criminal Law 3 credit(s)
- LAW 708 - Constitutional Criminal Procedure - Investigative 3 credit(s)
- LAW 718 - Evidence 4 credit(s)
- LAW 759 - Computer Crimes 3 credit(s)
Linguistics Concentration
- LIN 601 - Introductory Linguistic Analysis 3 credit(s)
- LIN 631 - Phonological Analysis 3 credit(s)
- LIN 671 - Dimensions of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism 3 credit(s)
- LIN 675 - Forensic Linguistics 3 credit(s)
Medicolegal Death Investigation Concentration
- FSC 634 - Anatomy & Physiology for Forensic Medicine 3 credit(s)
- FSC 635 - Medicolegal Death Investigation I 3 credit(s)
- FSC 636 - Medicolegal Death Investigation II 3 credit(s)
- FSC 651 - Forensic Pathology 3 credit(s)
National Security Concentration
- FSC 669 - Science of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction 3 credit(s)
- LAW 700 - National Security Law 3 credit(s)
- LAW 790 - Counterterrorism and the Law 3 credit(s)
- LAW 832 - Cyber Security Law and Policy 3 credit(s)
- NUC 520 - Radiochemistry, Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing and Nonproliferation 3 credit(s)
- PAI 738 - US Intelligence Community: Governance & Practice 3 credit(s)
- PAI 739 - US Defense Strategy, Resources, & Military Operations 3 credit(s)
Psychiatry & Behavioral Science Concentration
- FSC 652 - Forensic Mental Health 3 credit(s)
- PSY 674 - Advanced Social Psychology 3 credit(s)
- SWK 626 - Persons in Social Context 3 credit(s)
- SWK 724 - Psychopathology 3 credit(s)
Toxicology Concentration
- FSC 651 - Forensic Pathology 3 credit(s)
- FSC 653 - Forensic Toxicology 3 credit(s)
- FSC 657 - Principles of Human Toxicology 3 credit(s)
Full Electives List
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III. Internship or Independent Study Research - 3 credits required
(additional credits maybe used to satisfy elective requirements).
IV. Seminar Requirement
Each student is required to participate in the FNSSI seminar program by attending at least 50% of the seminars during their semesters as an M.S. student in Syracuse.
Nuclear Forensics Track
I. Gateway Courses - 19 Credits Required
- FSC 606 - Advanced Forensic Science 3 credit(s)
- FSC 631 - Statistics for Forensic Science 3 credit(s)
- FSC 632 - Research and Career Resources 3 credit(s)
- FSC 633 - Quality Assurance and Ethics 3 credit(s)
- FSC 644 - Forensic Chemical Analysis 4 credit(s)
- NUC 520 - Radiochemistry, Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing and Nonproliferation 3 credit(s)
II. Elective Courses - 8 credits required
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III. Internship with Research - 9 credits at Brookhaven National Lab. required
Each student is required to participate in original research, write a detailed report of publishable quality, and successfully defend the results in front of a committee of three faculty members in a public seminar. This research will be conducted as part of the Brookhaven internship. Additional credits of independent study or internship may be used to satisfy elective credit by petition.
As part of the Brookhaven internship, students are also required to take a course there: Nuclear Nonproliferation, Safeguards, and Security. If the timing of the course and internship are not compatible, a different, suitable Brookhaven graduate-level course may be substituted with prior approval.
IV. Seminar Requirement
Each student is required to participate in the FNSSI seminar program by attending at least 50% of the seminars during their semesters as an M.S. student in Syracuse.
- Define the field of forensic science and describe how it overlaps with their particular interests
- Describe the relationship and interplay between forensic science and the legal system
- Explain the importance of ethical standards and describe the means through which such standards are upheld in forensic science
- Recognize the need for research in forensic science and know the process by which research is proposed and executed
- Propose how the professional performance of forensic analyses may be elevated through research
- Explain the importance and structure of quality assurance protocols and standards
- Employ statistical methods and evaluate statistical results to solve problems in forensic science and to communicate findings
Advanced Track
- Demonstrate how evidence is identified, processed, and collected at crime scenes
- Explain how the chain of custody is preserved and documented
- Demonstrate how evidence is analyzed in a laboratory, including presumptive testing and confirmatory testing with various instruments
- Apply quality assurance standards and protocols in laboratory or crime scene settings
Nuclear Forensics Track
- Demonstrate safety measures and analysis procedures regarding nuclear materials
Graduates may obtain positions in the following settings:
- Crime and forensic laboratories
- Private research companies
- Security and insurance companies
- Federal agencies (e.g., F.B.I.)
- Academic research centers
- Law enforcement officers
- Paralegals
- Court psychologists
- Forensic microscopists
- Medicolegal death investigators
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