Forensic Science Certificate for Post-Baccalaureate Students

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Forensic science involves the application of scientific principles to legal matters. Forensic scientists are involved with collection and analysis of physical evidence, identifying and linking victims and suspects, and expert witness testimony.

Post-baccalaureate certificate seeking students must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0, with a major in:

Biology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Anthropology*

*Certificate seeking students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from a regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 are required to complete additional natural science coursework as part of the certificate program. The forensic science certificate program for individuals with an anthropology degree is intended to provide additional training for graduate study leading to a career in forensic anthropology.

Prospective students who have completed other science-related majors may be considered for admission. A strong lab-based major is required. The course of study will be reviewed by the chair of the department during the application review process.

Certificate Requirements

The forensic science core:

Statistics, choose 1:

Forensic science electives, choose 3:

ANTH 3720 - Forensic Anthropology
CJFS 3410 - Crime Scene and Death Investigation
CJFS 3420 - Forensic Biology
CJFS 3440 - Forensic Fingerprint Examination
CJFS 3450 - Forensic Firearm and Toolmark Examination
CJFS 3460 - Topics in Forensic Science (topic must be approved by department chair)
CJFS 3610 - Forensic Toxicology
CJFS 3985 - Special Topics in Forensic Science

For students with an anthropology degree:

The following natural science courses are also required for the certificate.

Additional requirements for working in a DNA laboratory:

To qualify for employment in the DNA section of a forensic science laboratory students must complete the following courses or their equivalents.

Notes:

Students planning a career with federal, state, or local forensic science laboratories 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 their laboratories of interest to obtain information about specific policies.
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 2.7 or higher.
Students who hold a bachelor’s degree in anthropology may transfer up to five of the natural science courses required above, with grades of C or better, to apply toward the certificate.
Violation of the Hamline University Student Honor Code may result in suspension from the Forensic Sciences Certificate Program.