Pre-Forensic Science

• Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Forensic Science in six years
• Rigorous scientific foundation for a career in forensic science
• One of the first FEPAC-accredited program in Forensic Science
• Guaranteed internship with nation’s premier forensic scientists
• Arcadia University-sponsored student participation in professional meetings
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities
• Personal attention from faculty advisers
• Active research programs in various forensic science disciplines
• Top scores on national Forensic Science Assessment Test
• Opportunity to attend autopsies and visit Forensic Science laboratories
• Opportunity to participate in U.K. field trip
• Opportunity to become recognized by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) by taking the Forensic Science Assessment Test (FSAT) prior to graduation
• Curriculum aligned with guidelines from the DNA Advisory Board (DAB), Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG) and the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)

This program provides four years of study leading to a bachelor’s degree plus two years of graduate study leading to the Master of Science in Forensic Science degree from Arcadia University. Students following the 4+2 program must pursue an undergraduate major in either Biology or Chemistry. Following the compulsory program of courses will ensure that students meet all required prerequisite and recommended coursework for Arcadia’s master’s program in Forensic Science. In the fourth year, students have the option of taking FS515 (Research Methods) with the approval of the Director of the Forensic Science program and the Chair of their undergraduate major department. Assured admission into Arcadia’s master’s program in forensic science is available for select qualified students from the 4+2 program each year.  Students have the opportunity to undertake their faculty sponsored research with faculty in the MSFS program.

Forensic science is an applied field and the greatest indicators for a successful career are a thorough grounding in the natural sciences and a high level of comfort with basic principles in biology, chemistry and physical sciences. The 4+2 program offered by Arcadia University provides that foundation and prepares students for success in the Master’s program through carefully selected undergraduate courses. The 4+2 program helps ensure students graduate with the basic knowledge that is so important to employers as well as the unique insight into forensic science practice that gives our graduates the edge in selecting their profession. Students who complete the program graduate with career options in the forensic sciences in a variety of settings, in other laboratory based science careers, in education or as researchers.

Forensic science is the application of science to the purposes of law. It is highly interdisciplinary by nature and has become a vital part of the judicial and regulatory system worldwide. Practicing forensic scientists, law enforcement personnel, and criminal justice professionals all recognize the growing need for highly qualified specialists who can execute established and appropriate techniques in the collection, preservation, analysis, and presentation of forensic evidence.

The Arcadia University Master of Science in Forensic Science (M.S.F.S.) program is nationally accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). Arcadia University is one of only a select few institutions to hold this accreditation, which recognizes the high-quality graduate forensic science education offered through this program.

The M.S.F.S. degree is offered by Arcadia University in partnership with the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education and in collaboration with NMS Labs, one of the nation’s premier ASCLD-LAB and ISO 17025 accredited forensic science laboratories. This alliance provides a source of adjunct instructors, a forensic library, invaluable links to the forensic science community and guaranteed internships with some of the nation’s premier forensic scientists. State-of-the-art laboratory equipment and facilities are provided in nearby Willow Grove, Pa.

Arcadia’s curriculum is unique in that it covers a variety of specialties, unlike other graduate programs that require a commitment to a single field of study, making for more well-rounded forensic practitioners. The curriculum involves classroom and laboratory exposure to the fields of forensic biology, forensic chemistry, forensic toxicology and trace analysis. Coursework emphasizing the development of problem-solving abilities is designed to encourage a concentration in these forensic science specialty areas and expose students to both relevant laboratory techniques and relevant medico-legal developments.

The Forensic Science program offers a variety of core and elective courses. In their first year of study, students are given the opportunity to take advanced courses in the fields of biology and chemistry. This provides students with a strong scientific foundation, which is essential in the field of forensic science. The remainder of the first-year courses concern both general and specific topics in forensic science. The second year of study allows for further specialization in chemical, biological, and toxicological coursework. Students also complete internship experiences and research projects in the second year.

Students who begin their undergraduate education at Arcadia University must complete the following prerequisites:

• Biological Sciences: four lab/lecture courses, which include General Biology I and II, General Genetics, and Molecular Biology. (Anatomy and Physiology are highly recommended.)
• Chemistry: five lab/lecture courses, which include General, Organic Chemistry, and at least one semester of Analytical/Instrumental Chemistry. (Quantitative Chemical Analysis is highly recommended.)
• Biochemistry is required.
• Mathematics: one course in Statistics
• Related coursework: A course in Ethics is highly recommended. A Criminal Justice course is also recommended (CJ 226: Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction is recommended).
• Earn a bachelor’s degree in Biology or Chemistry from Arcadia University.
• Achieve a minimum 3.2 GPA overall and a 3.2 in prerequisite courses taken at Arcadia University and elsewhere. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in each prerequisite course. (A “C-” is unacceptable for prerequisite credit.) All courses in the various designated areas are included when calculating the prerequisite GPA.
• Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and achieve a minimum total score of 300 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions with a minimum of 145 on the verbal portion and a minimum of 150 on the quantitative portion, and score a 3.5 or higher on the analytic portion. The test may be taken in the junior year (preferably) and/or in the fall of senior year.
• Work or volunteer related experience: Knowledge of the profession through internships or research experience is preferred but not required.
• A recommendation from the undergraduate Biology or Chemistry adviser and one other recommendation
• The third recommendation is not required from Arcadia students
• Students desiring assured admission must submit their completed application electronically by November 1 of the academic year of graduation from Arcadia University.
• Note: The number of allotted assured admissions from the supplying Department will be determined by the Admissions Committee of the Arcadia University Forensic Science program on an annual basis. If the supplying Department exceeds the allotted number of assured admissions, the supplying Department will prioritize the list of applicants.
• Selected students must undergo an interview with the faculty of the Forensic Science program at Arcadia University for final approval.

Students who transfer to Arcadia University must meet the aforementioned criteria as well as the following:

• Complete a minimum of 15 earned credits per semester—and no fewer than 60 credits over the last four semesters of work at Arcadia University, excluding summers.
• Earn a bachelor’s degree in Biology or Chemistry from Arcadia University.
• Successfully complete four of the prerequisite science courses at Arcadia University.

• Highly selective program for academically talented students
• Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Forensic Science in five years
• Rigorous scientific foundation for a career in forensic science
• One of the first FEPAC-accredited programs in Forensic Science
• Guaranteed internship with nation’s premier forensic scientists
• Arcadia University-sponsored student participation in professional meetings
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities
• Personal attention from faculty advisers
• Active research programs in various forensic science disciplines
• Opportunity to attend autopsies and visit Forensic Science laboratories
• Curriculum aligned with guidelines from the DNA Advisory Board (DAB), Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG) and the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)

This program provides an accelerated pathway through the Undergraduate Curriculum into Arcadia’s master’s degree program in Forensic Science.

During the first three years of study, a student takes prerequisite coursework and Undergraduate Curriculum requirements. In the fourth year of study, the student completes the Senior Seminar and Capstone requirements for the undergraduate degree and begins graduate coursework, which is completed in the fifth year.

In addition to courses in chemistry and biology, graduate courses concern both general and specific topics in forensic science. The fifth year of the accelerated program includes certain common courses as well as specialization in chemical, biological, and toxicological coursework. Students also complete an internship and independent research project. The University sponsors student participation in professional meetings in the final year of the program.

This pathway allows a student to fulfill all of the Undergraduate Curriculum and major requirements (including completing 128 undergraduate credits) and the requirements of the Master of Science in Forensic Science (38 to 70 credits) in five years. The 3+2 program provides a pathway to ensure that the undergraduate coursework taken by the student meets the expected prerequisites and required background knowledge for the master’s program in Forensic Science at Arcadia University.

Forensic science is the application of science to the purposes of law. It is highly interdisciplinary by nature and has become a vital part of the judicial and regulatory system in America. Practicing forensic scientists, law enforcement personnel, and criminal justice professionals all recognize the growing need for highly qualified specialists who can execute established and appropriate techniques in the collection, preservation, analysis, and presentation of forensic evidence. The Arcadia University Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) program is nationally accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Arcadia University is one of only a select few institutions in the country to hold this accreditation which recognizes the high quality graduate forensic science curriculum offered through this program.

The MSFS degree is offered by Arcadia University in partnership with the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education and in collaboration with NMS Labs, one of the nation’s premier ASCLD-LAB and ISO 17025 accredited forensic science laboratories. This alliance provides a source of adjunct instructors, a forensic library, invaluable links to the forensic science community and guaranteed internships with some of the nation’s premier forensic scientists. State-of-the-art laboratory equipment and facilities are provided in nearby Willow Grove, Pa.

Advising: Each student admitted into the program is assigned a faculty adviser in either the Biology or Chemistry department. The adviser is involved in helping the student to take the prescribed coursework for admission into the master’s program while completing the Undergraduate Curriculum and major requirements necessary for completion of the bachelor’s degree. The Director of the Forensic Science program also assists each student with questions and advises him or her.

Expert graduate seminars: The fourth year features 1-credit seminars in which forensic experts address key issues in their fields.

Summer project/internship: After the fourth year, students engage in a summer research project mentored by a faculty member affiliated with the University or its partners. At this time, students may also participate in a summer internship experience with one of the University’s affiliated laboratories. This is in addition to the guaranteed internship offered in the Spring semester of the fifth year.

Students must apply for admission into the 3+2 program directly from high school. Highly selective admissions criteria are used to select academically talented students capable of handling the accelerated schedule.

Matriculated students will not normally be accepted into the 3+2 program. (Note: Matriculated students can follow the 4+2 Forensic Science program, which prepares students for admission into Arcadia’s master’s program and offers assured admission for select qualified students.)

The profile of the typical successful candidate includes the following:

• B or better in all Math and Science courses
• AP Biology or AP Chemistry (based on major- if Biology major, must have taken AP Biology, if Chemistry major, must have taken AP Chemistry)A college-prep math course in each year of high school
• 640 Evidence-based Reading and Writing and 650 Math SAT or 26/27 ACT composite and in math/science ACT
• Students need a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better to be considered
• Class rank in top 10-15%

At the completion of each semester of undergraduate study, students will be evaluated to ensure that they meet the qualifications to continue on in the accelerated degree program. These criteria include:

• Maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better and a GPA of 3.0 in the major.
• Have received no less than a “B-” in any of the science or math courses in the prerequisite major. If a C or C+ is earned in a required course, it may be repeated one time only with the Forensic Science Director’s permission. No additional Cs will be permitted in required coursework).

At the completion of the third year of undergraduate study, students will be evaluated to ensure that they meet the qualifications to begin graduate coursework. At this point the students must have met the following additional criteria:

• Completed all major and Undergraduate Curriculum requirements (with the exception of the following courses: BI 340, CH 404, BI 490 and CH 490).
• Earned at least 112 semester hours by the end of the third year.
• Met with the Director of Forensic Science to discuss their intention to start the M.S.F.S program in Fall of the 4th year.

Students who meet these requirements are permitted to begin graduate coursework in their fourth year of study and enter into the Master of Science in Forensic Science program without having to take the GRE exam.

Students who do not meet these requirements can continue on with their undergraduate education in their fourth year and then apply to the M.S.F.S. program upon completion of their undergraduate degree following standard application requirements.

4+2 Program: Since the 3+2 program is highly accelerated, students who choose to participate at the traditional pace may transfer to the 4+2 program, completing the undergraduate degree in four years while completing requirements for admission in the master’s program. Assured admission into the master’s program is available for select qualified 4+2 students.

• CH 290  Junior Seminar (3 credits)
• CH 305  Inorganic Chemistry (4 credits)
• CH 302  Physical Chemistry II (4 credits)
• CH 303 Biochemistry (4 credits)
• A Global Connections (Intellectual Practices requirement) course (4 credits)
• A Modern Language course (4 credits)

The First Year

Fall Semester (16 credits)

• CH 111 Conceptual Chemistry I (4 credits) 
• EN 101  Thought and Expression I (4 credits)
• BI 101  General Biology I (4 credits)
• A First-Year Seminar course (4 credits)

Spring Semester (18 credits)

• BI 102 General Biology II (4 credits)
• CH 112  Conceptual Chemistry II (4 credits)
• MA 141  Elementary Statistics (4 credits)
• Writing for Physical Sciences course (4 credits)
• An elective (2 credits)

The Second Year

Fall Semester (19 credits)

• PH 201  Fundamental Concepts of Physics I (4 credits)
• CH 201 Organic Chemistry I: Structures, Mechanisms and Reactions (4 credits)
• BI 204 Genetics (4 credits)
• A University Seminar (4 credits)
• A Creative Expressions (Area of Inquiry) course (3 credits)

Spring Semester (18 credits)

• PH 202 Fundamental Concepts of Physics II (4 credits)
• CH 202 Organic Chemistry II: Structures, Mechanisms and Reactions (4 credits)
• A Global Connections Experience (4 credits)
• A Global Connections Reflection course (2 credits)
• A Modern Language course (4 credits)

The Third Year 

Fall Semester (20 credits)

• CH 407 Polymers and Biopolymers (4 credits)
• CH 301 Physical Chemistry I (4 credits)
• CH 203 Equilibrium and Analysis (4 credits)
• BI 325 Cell Biology (4 credits)
• A University Seminar (4 credits)

Spring Semester (16 credits)

• CH 305 Inorganic Chemistry (4 credits)
• CH 302 Physical Chemistry II (4 credits)
• A Global Connections (Intellectual Practices requirement) course (4 credits)
• A Modern Language course (4 credits)

The Fourth Year

Fall Semester (8 undergraduate credits, 8 graduate credits)

• CH 403 Biochemistry (4 credits)
• CH 518 Instrumental Analysis in Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry (3 credits)
• CH 518L Instrumental Analysis in Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)
• FS 518 Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction (2 credits)
• FS 519 Pattern Evidence Analysis (2 credits)
• FS 540 Statistical Analysis and Biostatistics (3 credits)
• FS 570 Criminal Law and Ethics (3 credits)
• FS 561a Forensic Science Symposium (1 credit)

Spring Semester (8 undergraduate credits, 10 graduate credits)

• BI 333 Molecular Biology (4 credits)
• CH 490 Chemistry Capstone (2 credits)
• FS 504 General Principles of Pharmacology (3 credits)
• FS 515 Research Methods (1 credit)
• FS 530 Forensic Serology (3 credits)
• FS 532 Forensic Microscopy (3 credits)
• FS 532L Forensic Microscopy Lab (1 credit)
• FS 535 Forensic Chemistry (3 credits)
• FS 561b Forensic Science Symposium II (1 credit)

Summer Semester (5 graduate credits)

• FS 333 Quality Management in Forensic Science
• FS 596 Research Project in Forensic Science (4 credits)
• or FS 597 Research Project in Forensic Chemistry (4 credits)
• or FS 598 Research Project in Forensic Biology (4 credits)

The Fifth Year

Fall Semester (19 graduate credits)

• FS 512 Forensic Trace Evidence (3 credits)
• FS 525 Forensic Toxicology I and II (3 credits)
• FS 525L Forensic Toxicology Lab (1 credit)
• FS 531 Human Molecular Biology (3 credits)
• FS 531L Human Molecular Biology Lab (1 credit)
• FS 536 Advanced Forensic Chemistry (3 credits)
• FS 562A Forensic Science Communications I (1 credit)
• FS 596 Research Project in Forensic Science (4 credits)
• or FS 597 Research Project in Forensic Chemistry (4 credits)
• or FS 598 Research Project in Forensic Biology (4 credits)

Spring Semester (20-26 graduate credits)

• FS 520 Moot Court (1 credit)
• FS 562B Forensic Science Communications II (1 credit)
• FS 583 Graduate Internship in Forensic Science (6-12 credits) 
• FS 596 Research Project in Forensic Science (4 credits)
• or FS 597 Research Project in Forensic Chemistry (4 credits)
• or FS 598 Research Project in Forensic Biology (4 credits)