Forensic Sciences Certificate

Forensic sciences program director: Susan M.T. Myster, anthropology/forensic sciences.

Students may pursue the certificate as degree-seeking undergraduates or as postbaccalaureate students (postbaccalaureate students are students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university). All certificate-seeking students must complete (or must have completed) an undergraduate major in one or more of the following relevant disciplines: anthropology, biology, chemistry, criminal justice, legal studies, physics, or psychology. Given that the forensic sciences include a broad range of disciplines, petitions requesting to earn the certificate through majors not listed will be evaluated by the director of the program.

A majority of all forensic scientists are employed in a forensic science laboratory setting. Professional requirements for a career in forensic science are currently evolving and the nationally-funded Technical Working Group on Education and Training in Forensic Sciences (TWGED) has published recommendations for an appropriate educational undergraduate curriculum. The Forensic Sciences Certificate program incorporates many of these recommendations and encourages students through close advising to choose the best major from which to pursue their chosen career path in forensic science. Students pursuing a career in forensic science with an emphasis in criminalistics (including analysis of toxicology, controlled substances, DNA, trace evidence, fingerprints, documents, firearms, and impression evidence) must major in either biology, chemistry, or physics while those interested in investigation and/or the medico-legal forensic sciences (e.g., forensic anthropology, forensic pathology, forensic psychology, forensic psychiatry, death investigation) must major in the discipline appropriate to their chosen path (e.g. anthropology, biology, psychology). Students seeking the certificate to enhance a future career in law enforcement or law may major in any of the required majors; a minor in biology or chemistry is strongly recommended.

For information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other program characteristics, please visit http://www.hamline.edu/cla/forensic-science/disclosures.html.