Applied Forensic Studies, Undergraduate Certificate

This 13-15 credit-hour undergraduate certificate is designed for degree-seeking students of any major who are interested in forensic studies. Students will learn specific psychological and anthropological skills used in forensic labs and discuss social factors and biases behind their methods and theories.

Students will gain applied experience through an internship, co-op, or research experience. It is designed to prepare students for entry or advancement in forensic science careers. 

Contact the Department of Philosophy, Anthropology, and Religion or the Department of Psychology for more information.

 

Program Learning Outcomes

A student completing a certificate in Applied Forensic Studies should be able to:

1. Describe the role of expert witnesses in the legal system;
2. Apply and describe forensic assessment techniques employed by psychologists (including investigation, interviewing eyewitnesses, and interrogating suspects);
3. Apply and describe forensic assessment techniques employed by anthropologists (including determining time since death, determining age/sex/ancestry/stature of decedents; evaluating sources of skeletal trauma);
4. Evaluate strengths and limitations of forensic techniques such as fingerprinting, hair analysis, DNA analysis, tire tracks, and other trace analyses;
5. Articulate the ethical principles required of members of the forensic community;
6. Apply skills learned in coursework to an internship, co-op, or research experience.

Program Requirements

Required Courses I (12 hours)

ANT 341	Forensic Sciences	3(3-0)
ANT 342	Principles of Forensic Anthropology	3(3-0)
PSY 100	Introduction to Psychology	3(3-0)
PSY 339	Law and Forensic Psychology	3(3-0)

Required Courses II (1-3 hours)

Select one of the following:

ANT 498	Independent Studies In Anthropology	1-12(Spec)
PSY 490	Field Placement in Psychology	3(Spec)
PSY 496	Directed Research	1-6(Spec)
PSY 497	Independent Study	1-4(Spec)

Total: 13-15 semester hours