9 Best Online Master’s in Forensic Science Degree Programs

About

The main campus was founded in 1947.

In 2000, Stevenson University Online began flexible digital learning options at affordable costs.

As part of the distance learning programs, online students can access all on-campus resources.

Currently, an estimated 3,700 students attend Stevenson University, on and off campus.

Courses Offered

Stevenson University offers a Master of Forensic Science in Crime Scene Investigation.

This program was recently ranked the #1 Best Online Master’s Degree in CSI.

Other concentrations for the master’s degree include:

• Forensic Investigation
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Forensic Biology
• Forensic Accounting
• Forensic Chemistry

Organized into six eight-week sessions, the 36-credit curriculum includes courses in:

• Crime Scene Photography
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Pattern Analysis
• Expert Witness Preparation
• Crime Laboratory Operations

The graduate degree costs $712 per credit hour.

Books and degree-specific costs are separate.

Stevenson University accepts applications for Federal and state financial aid, loans, and scholarships.

For interested students, the Online University holds virtual tours and webinars.

About

Ranked #4 by Forbes magazine, the University of Florida (UF) first opened its doors to students in 1853.

The ‘Gators’ are renowned for their position in the SEC, but UF is also a top-tier research institution.

Over 61,771 students attend classes on campus, with 5,472 online, seeking one of 300 degrees.

Courses Offered

In an academic twist, the Master of Science in Forensic Science is offered by the College of Pharmacology and is conferred as a Master of Science in Pharmacy-Forensic Science.

A 32-credit hour program, the core courses include:

• Principles of Forensic Science
• Toxicology & Serology
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Forensic Genetics
• Forensic Ethics

Tuition is $575 per credit hour plus additional general college fund fees and degree-specific expenses.

Some financial aid is accepted, but state tuition waivers do not apply to graduate studies.

About

Arizona State University (ASU)was founded in Tempe, Arizona, in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School.

Currently, ASU serves over 100,000 students.

Campus faculty also teach over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Courses Offered

Arizona State University offers a 10-class online Professional Master’s in Forensic Science (PSM) aimed at working professionals in related fields.

The ASU MSFS advances graduates with leadership and additional scientific skills.

The 30-credit hour curriculum lists courses such as:

• Advanced Forensic Psychology
• Forensic Botany
• Human Forensic DNA
• Ethics in Forensic Science
• Biostatistics and Data Management

This degree is appropriate for careers in:

• Forensic Nursing
• Forensic Anthropologists
• Crime Labs Administrators

Full-time resident tuition is $7,844 per semester.

This does not include student fees, books, computers, or housing. Students are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid and scholarships for all online programs.

About

In 1971, a retired Navy Captain founded the National University (NU) in San Diego, California.

It was intended to provide flexible education options for working professionals.

Presently, over 30,442 enrolled students.

NU offers over 150 career-based undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Courses Offered

National University offers an online Master of Forensic Sciences.

There are two specializations in the general degree:

• Criminalistics
• Investigation

The numerous courses in the 54-quarter unit program include:

• Trace evidence
• Toxicology, Serology, and DNA Analysis
• Crime Scene Investigative Techniques
• Forensic Anthropology and Archeology
• Forensic Pathology

Completion of a supervised research project, similar to a Capstone, is required for graduation.

Application to the university is free.

Programs start monthly and are offered on a rolling basis.

Free tutoring and 24/7 support are available to all online students.

Total degree program costs are approximately $24,108.

Students are responsible for equipment such as digital cameras.

National University offers a Key Grant, a needs-based tuition assistance.

About

Oklahoma State University (OSU) is a top-tier campus, founded on Christmas Day, 1890.

The digital counterpart, OSU Online, is part of OSU’s Institute for Teaching & Learning Excellence.

It offers over a dozen fully online degrees.

OSU has over 35,000 students currently enrolled and degree-seeking.

Courses Offered

The Department of the School of Forensic Sciences within the School of Osteopathic Medicine offers an online Master of Science in Forensic Sciences.

Forensic science also has graduate certificates to expand skills in:

• Forensic Crime Analysis
• Forensic Investigative Sciences

Consisting of 30 credit hours, the forensic pathway includes:

• Ethical Research
• Chemistry of Pyrotechnics
• Molecular Biology
• Population Genetics
• Blood Stain Pattern Analysis

The cost of the online graduate degree is $323.77 per credit hour.

There are extra course and administrative fees.

Luckily, professional experience is reviewed for degree credit.

FAFSA, employer scholarships, and grants are available.

At OSU, the online application is also the application for financial aid.

Part of the Academic Market allows residents from Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia to pay in-state tuition.

About

Westchester is home to the main campus of Florida International University (FIU).

Founded by the Florida Legislature in 1965, classes began six years later in 1972.

It now serves over 54,000 students.

In 1998, FIU established its online offerings with over 100 degrees and certifications.

Courses Offered

Florida International University confers several degrees related to forensic science:

• MS in Forensic Science
• Professional Master of Science in Forensic Science
• Combined MS in Forensic Science/PhD in Biology
• Digital Forensics Examiner (Professional Certificate (18 hours))

Highly rated programs, students attain knowledge and skills at the graduate level in forensic science and public administration.

Each option requires 33 credit hours of study, including:

• Forensic DNA Chemistry
• Medicolegal Investigations
• Legal Aspects of Animal Cruelty
• Forensic Evidence
• Toxicology

Graduate tuition at Florida International University is $4,101 per semester, with a yearly cost for online education of $23,914.

Non-resident tuition is roughly $9,015 per semester.

Additional fees apply to all online programs.

Students are encouraged to apply for both federal and state tuition assistance.

Active military and veterans receive discounted tuition.

About

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is affiliated with the University of Maryland, both located in Adelphi, Maryland.

The Military Times has recently recognized UMGC as a preeminent educator for veterans.

It offers 135 degrees and certifications to 55,838 students worldwide.

Courses Offered

The University of Maryland Global Campus combines traditional forensics techniques and digital technology into a 36-credit program, resulting in a Master of Science in Digital Forensics, an expanding component of criminal forensics.

This in-depth syllabus lists courses such as:

• Introduction to Forensics
• Digital Forensics Technology
• Advanced Forensics
• Investigative research and techniques
• Capstone Project (required)

All courses must be passed with a 3.0 GPA.

Career services, an academic coach, and digital resources are available to all UMGC students.

The in-state costs for the Master’s in Forensic Science are $544 per credit and $22,299 for the program.

Additional course-specific and general college fees are applicable.

Students have options to cover tuition and are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid.

Transfer credit and employer scholarships may also reduce final costs.

About

Champlain College, established in 1878, is part of the academic landscape in Burlington, Vermont.

In 1992, the college expanded into digital education with a focus on flexibility, concentrating on professional degrees and certificates needed for career advancement.

Currently, nearly 3,000 students attend online.

Courses Offered

Champlain College Online offers a fully online master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) focusing on digital crimes.

Additional certificates are available to expand the scope of the degree.

Depending on the chosen concentration, the 30-to-36-credit degree includes 11 courses in:

• Communications
• Investigations
• Digital Forensics
• Forensic Analytics
• Legal and Ethical Expertise

There is no cost to apply.

Tuition cost is $595 per credit hour for residents.

Additional college fees and a one-time graduation fee apply to all degrees.

About

Grand Canyon University (GCU) provides faith-based education in over 349 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

There are over 101,000 enrolled in the system, online and on campus.

Courses Offered

Grand Canyon University offers an online Master of Science in Forensic Science that can be used to further careers in:

• Advanced Crime Scene Processing
• Law Enforcement Administration
• Medicolegal Fields

Each program consists of 36 hours of classwork.

All pathways are available 100% online.

Courses are 4 to 8 weeks long and run throughout the year.

A few of the courses listed include:

• Ethical Principles
• Crime Scene Processing
• Applied Statistics
• Body Fluid and DNA Analysis
• Forensic Toxicology
• Courtroom and Scientific Evidence

Online graduate programs are calculated at $600 per credit hour.

Specific degree paths incur additional fees.

However, there is no admission fee.

Non-traditional tuition assistance and transfer credits are options.

GCU also assists with employer and subject-based scholarships for eligible graduate students.