Are you interested in crime scene investigations? Is it time to advance your career? Missouri Western offers two programs in Forensic Investigations so you can earn either a certificate or master’s degree while continuing to work full time.
Today, more than ever before, physical evidence plays a large role in criminal investigations. Missouri Western’s programs offer the classroom and hands-on experiences you’ll need to enhance your career opportunities in the field of forensic investigations. Courses are taught by eminent forensic scientists and other distinguished professionals, and students receive broad-based exposure to the discipline of forensic investigations, along with special courses to enhance their professional expertise. The courses are designed and staffed in conjunction with the Southern Institute of Forensic Science.
Courses are offered in a combination of formats: online, face-to-face, semester long and one-week intensive.
Southern Institute of Forensic Science
The Southern Institute of Forensic Science (SIFS) is a cooperative partner in the Forensic Investigation program. The Institute offers fully accredited undergraduate and post-graduate courses as well as specialized workshops and seminars. SIFS has longstanding academic relationships with several universities and colleges, promoting accrediting courses for both undergraduate and graduate level classes. These courses meet the highest standards of the hosting academic institution.
Careers
These programs will be of interest to the technical staff of crime laboratories, medical examiners’ laboratories, law enforcement and faculty at various educational institutions. Career options include criminal investigation positions with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Program Name: Forensic Investigation – Graduate Certificate
This program is designed to be completed in 1 Year (18 Credit Hours).
This program will cost $7,823.22 if completed within normal time for in-state students and $12,935.22 for out-of-state students. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting, but may have changed.
Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with NA of debt. Fewer than 10 students completed this program within normal time. Average debt has been withheld to preserve the confidentiality of these students.
The following States do not have licensure requirements for this profession: Missouri, Kansas, Iowa
For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
Last Updated June 20, 2019
Forensic Investigation (Master of Applied Science, M.A.S.)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| LAW 500 | Death Investigation | 3 |
| LAW 504 | Crime Scene Investigation | 3 |
| LAW 560 | Administration, Planning, and Ethics | 3 |
| LAW 600 | Criminal Law, Evidence and Legal Procedures | 3 |
| LAW 610 | Coutroom Testimony and Procedure | 3 |
| LAW 615 | Forensic Photography and Crime Scene Investigation | 3 |
| LAW 640 | Computer Forensics | 3 |
| LAW 695 | Forensic Capstone | 2 |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Choose 9 credit hours from the following courses, at least 3 credits must be 600 level | 9 | |
| Forensic Accounting | ||
| Auditing for Fraud | ||
| Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in Violent Crimes | ||
| Forensic Anthropology for Law Enforcement | ||
| Human Remains: Search, Recovery, and Identification | ||
| Forensic Entomology | ||
| Forensic Interviewing | ||
| Profiling and Behavioral Analysis | ||
LAW 596-599 | Special Topics | |
| Analysis of Biological Evidence | ||
| Analysis of Physical Evidence | ||
| Internet Commerce Fraud and Investigation | ||
| Advanced Research Methods | ||
| Graduate Internship | ||
| Research and Publication | ||
LAW 696-699 | Special Topics | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Filing of an approved Application for Graduation.
- Satisfactory completion of all required coursework as listed on the approved Program of Study.
- Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with no more than 6 credit hours of C in all required coursework.
- Completion of at least 32 credit hours of the program of study.
- 17 of the 32 total credit hours must be taken at the 600 level.
Forensic Investigation (Graduate Certificate)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | ||
| LAW 500 | Death Investigation | 3 |
| or LAW 640 | Computer Forensics | |
| LAW 504 | Crime Scene Investigation | 3 |
| LAW 600 | Criminal Law, Evidence and Legal Procedures | 3 |
| LAW 615 | Forensic Photography and Crime Scene Investigation | 3 |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Select six credit hours from the following courses | 6 | |
| Forensic Accounting | ||
| Auditing for Fraud | ||
| Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in Violent Crimes | ||
| Forensic Anthropology for Law Enforcement | ||
| Human Remains: Search, Recovery, and Identification | ||
| Forensic Entomology | ||
| Forensic Interviewing | ||
| Profiling and Behavioral Analysis | ||
| Administration, Planning, and Ethics | ||
LAW 596-599 | Special Topics | |
| Coutroom Testimony and Procedure | ||
| Analysis of Biological Evidence | ||
| Analysis of Physical Evidence | ||
| Internet Commerce Fraud and Investigation | ||
| Advanced Research Methods | ||
| Graduate Internship | ||
| Research and Publication | ||
LAW 696-699 | Special Topics | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Filing of an approved Application for Graduation.
- Satisfactory completion of all required coursework as listed on the approved Program of Study.
- Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with no more than 6 credit hours of C in all required coursework.
- At least half of the 18 credit hours must be 600-level.