Forensic Science Certificate

Required courses (20 credits):

• CJFS 1120 - Crime and Justice in America
• CJFS 3400 - Survey of Forensic Science
• CJFS 3600 - Forensic Microscopy
• CJFS 3650 - Forensic Science Internship
• CJFS 5400 - Forensic Science Seminar

One year of general chemistry (4-8 credits):

• CHEM 1130 - General Chemistry I
• CHEM 1140 - General Chemistry II

• or

• CHEM 1500 - Advanced General Chemistry

Choose a concentration (4-16 credits):

8 additional credits from the following:

• ANTH 3500 - Forensic Anthropology
• CJFS 3410 - Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction
• CJFS 3420 - Forensic Biology
• CJFS 3430 - Forensic Document Examination
• CJFS 3440 - Forensic Fingerprint Examination
• CJFS 3450 - Forensic Firearm and Toolmark Examination
• CJFS 3610 - Forensic Toxicology
• CJFS 3985 - Special Topics in Forensic Science

Notes:

1. Students who hold a bachelor’s degree may transfer up to four courses, with grades of C or better, from prior college to apply toward the certificate.
2. Students who are seeking to work in the DNA section of a crime lab must complete BIOC 3820 - Biochemistry I to qualify for employment.
3. No course in which the grade received is less than a C may be used to meet certificate requirements. If a Hamline course is repeated to meet this grade requirement, the repeated course credit will be changed to zero and the resulting grade will be excluded in the grade point average (GPA) computation. The GPA of all courses taken in the certificate must be 3.0 or higher and the cumulative GPA of all Hamline courses taken must be 3.0 or higher.
4. Violation of the Hamline University Student Honor Code may result in suspension from the Forensic Sciences Certificate Program.
5. Prospective students planning a career with federal, state, or local crime labs should be aware that anyone seeking such employment will be expected to undergo an extensive background check. A criminal record or a history of controlled substance abuse (including cannabis) may result in disqualification from employment. Hamline University is unable to advise students as to whether a particular background might be problematic. Students are encouraged to contact the labs of interest to obtain information about their specific policies.