The Best Online Master’s in Forensic Science Programs
Summary of work: More than 42 hours of research. Every online Master in Forensic Science program in the US analyzed. 13 industry experts, hiring managers, current students, and alumni consulted. 10 of the best programs identified.
Overview
A master’s degree in forensic science is well-suited for professionals employed in crime laboratories and medical examiner’s offices looking for further education, or professionals in related areas aspiring toward a career in crime scene investigation or evidence analysis. Forensic scientists analyze physical evidence to determine significance in a criminal investigation. Forensic scientists may specialize in ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry. They must be detail-oriented, analytical, and capable of communicating their findings through written reports, to law enforcement workers, and sometimes in expert testimony in court.
Students can expect coursework in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Course work may include forensic toxicology, criminalistics, instrumental analysis, and molecular biology. Further coursework may depend on specialization, but some coursework includes crime scene investigation, DNA analysis, law and ethics, and trace evidence analysis. The following are some specific courses that a forensic science graduate student may expect to take.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A MASTER’S IN FORENSIC SCIENCE PROGRAMS?
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CAN I GET A MASTER’S IN FORENSIC SCIENCE ONLINE?
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HOW WELL ACCEPTED ARE ONLINE FORENSIC SCIENCE DEGREES?
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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A MASTER’S IN FORENSIC SCIENCE?
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IS A MASTER’S IN FORENSIC SCIENCE WORTH IT?
Students in this master degree program can expect careers as scientists, administrators, and other professional employment in crime laboratories, medical examiner’s offices, and public safety areas. Forensic scientists are mainly employed by county and state governments and federal agencies. Forensic science technicians undergo extensive training on the job before working cases independently.
For more more resources and career information related to this degree, please read our career guide here.
Our Methodology
Best Online Masters in Forensic Science Programs
We took a deep-dive and analyzed every online Masters in Forensic Science program in the nation. Below are the results of our analysis and list of the 10 best online Forensic Science programs.
Read about our methodology here.
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611The University of Florida offers a comprehensive master's in forensic science program, covering numerous topics to give students a broad range of skills for advancing their careers. The coursework covers everything from forensic medicine to criminalistics, preparing graduates to excel in any position in their chosen line of work.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Pharmacy
Program Name: Master of Science in Pharmacy
Available concentrations: Forensic Science
Accrediting body: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
DeliveryFormat: Online
Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Baccalaureate degree in a science subject
Credit Requirements: 32 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2-3 years
Program start dates: Spring, Summer, Fall
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Spring 2019: November 19, 2018; Summer 2019: April 1, 2019; Fall 2019: July 29, 2019
GPA: 3.0
Graduation Rate
88%
School Type
Public
Tuition
$625 per credit
Oklahoma State University
1111 W. 17th Street Tulsa, OK 74107The University of Oklahoma's master's degree program in forensic science is ideal for career professionals who have full-time jobs but want to earn their master's degrees for career advancement. Working professionals are encouraged to participate on a part-time basis and have up to four years to graduate from this program.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Forensic Sciences
Program Name: M.S. in Forensic Sciences
Accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
DeliveryFormat: Online, Hybrid
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree
Credit Requirements: 39 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Part-time
Program Length: 3-4 years
Program start dates: Fall, Spring
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Fall: July 1; Spring: October 1
GPA: 3.0
Work Experience: Job-related experience
School Type
Public
Tuition
$360 per credit
National University
11255 N Torrey Pines Rd La Jolla, CA 92037National University provides exceptional networking opportunities for students in the Master of Forensic Sciences program. With more than 150,000 alumni worldwide, students are able to network with professionals across the globe for gaining additional skills, knowledge and employment opportunities during and after college.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Letters and Sciences
Program Name: Master of Forensic Sciences
Available concentrations: Criminalistics, Investigation
Accrediting body: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
DeliveryFormat: Online, On-campus
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university
Credit Requirements: 36 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Program start dates: Monthly
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Rolling
GPA: 2.5
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$430 per quarter unit
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th St, ECS 450 Miami, FL 33199Florida International University prepares graduates for successful careers through hands-on learning and capstone internships in the master's in forensic science program. Graduates emerge with the practical skills and knowledge to use what they've learned to excel in their chosen professions.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Arts, Sciences & Education - School of Integrated Science and Humanity
Program Name: Professional Science Masters in Forensic Science
Accrediting body: SACSCOC
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree
Credit Requirements: 32 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 16 months
Program start dates: Fall
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: June 1
GPA: 3.0
School Type
Public
Tuition
In-state: $4,165 per term, Out-of-state: $9,079 per term
University of Central Florida
12716 Pegasus Dr Orlando, FL 32816The University of Central Florida is an innovative leader in higher education and provides working professionals with an advanced master's degree program in forensic science. This program is compromised of three different concentrations to hone the students' skills in a particular area of interest to grow their careers in the field.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Sciences
Program Name: Master of Science in Forensic Science
Available concentrations: Forensic Analysis, Forensic Biochemistry, Forensic Professional
Accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree
Credit Requirements: 32 credits with master thesis or 34 credits (non-thesis)
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time, Part-time
Program Length: 2 years
Program start dates: Fall, Spring, Summer
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Fall: July 1, Spring: December 1, Summer: April 1
GPA: 3.0
Work Experience: A minimum of three years in an operational forensic laboratory
Graduation Rate
70%
School Type
Public
Tuition
In-state: $370 per credit, Out-of-state: $1,194 per credit
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
4170 City Ave Philadelphia, PA 19131Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine offers a full master's degree program in forensic science to prepare students for successful careers after school. Through rigorous coursework and expert training, graduates develop the skills to seek advanced careers as medical examiners, crime scene investigators, forensic accountants and more.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: Forensic Medicine and Pathology
Program Name: Master of Science in Forensic Medicine
Accrediting body: COCA
DeliveryFormat: Online, On-Campus
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Credit Requirements: 40 credits
Field Education Requirements: 112 hours
Program LengthProgram Options: Half-time
Program Length: 24 months
Program start dates: Summer, Fall
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Rolling
GPA: 3.0
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$889 per credit
Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314Nova Southeastern University is a leader in distance education and provides a top-notch master's degree program in forensic science for online learners. This program caters to distance learners and provides them with all the necessary and relevant tools, resources and support to succeed not only in the virtual classroom but also in their professional careers.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
Program Name: Master Of Health Science
Available concentrations: Forensic Investigative Technology
Accrediting body: SACS
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Credit Requirements: 40 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time
Program start dates: January 2, 2019; April 1, 2019; June 24, 2019; September 23, 2019
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: December 1, 2018; March 1, 2019; June 1, 2019; August 15, 2019
GPA: 2.75
School Type
Private Non-profit
Tuition
$425 per credit
Stevenson University
100 Campus Circle Owings Mills, MD 21117Stevenson University educates students in the master's in forensic science program through intensive coursework and expert training from industry professionals. The faculty members are not only academic scholars but also forensic specialists who share their knowledge and expertise to develop the students' skills for success in their own careers.
Program OverviewProgram Name: Master's in Forensic Science
Available concentrations: Biology, Chemistry
Accrediting body: Commission on Higher Education, Middle States Association of Colleges and Universities
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree in a natural science field such as Biology or Chemistry from a regionally accredited institution.
Credit Requirements: 36 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Program start dates: Spring 2019: January 28
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Rolling
GPA: 3.0
School Type
Private
Tuition
Partnership: $536 per credit, Standard: $670 per credit
Ashford University
8620 Spectrum Center Blvd San Diego, CA 92123Ashford University offers a customizable master's degree program in forensic science for professionals who want to take specialized classes that align with their personal interests and career goals. Students can tailor the program to their needs and develop the necessary skills to advance their careers upon earning their degrees.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: College of Liberal Arts
Program Name: Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Available specializations: Cybercrime and Technology, Forensic Science, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement and Corrections Administration. Note, a specialization consists of 9 credits
Accrediting body: WSCUC-accredited
DeliveryFormat: Online
Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree or post-graduate degree
Credit Requirements: 30 credits (39 credits with specialization)
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Admission RequirementsGPA: 3.0
School Type
Online For-profit
Tuition
$705 per credit
Aspen University
1660 S Albion St Suite 525 Denver, CO 80222Aspen University's master's degree program in forensic science is a great value for students seeking an affordable program with flexible scheduling, fantastic student support and online convenience. The tuition is lower than the national average, and the overall program offers benefits such as part-time class scheduling with specializations to enhance the students' degrees.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Professional Studies
Program Name: Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Available concentrations: Forensic Sciences
Accrediting body: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's Degree
Credit Requirements: 36 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Program start dates: September 4, 2018; January 8, 2019
School Type
Private For-profit
Tuition
$11,700 per program