Master's Degree in Forensics
Breakthroughs in DNA and other technologies used to investigate crime have created a need for trained professionals in forensic science. DNA technology has solved cold cases, overturned wrongful convictions and helped identify perpetrators of crime using DNA databases. The success of DNA in court cases has lead to political support to supply resources for infrastructure and yearly operating costs for maintaining the demand for forensic science work, according to Cedar Crest College.
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Identification
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Forensic science is a field that encompasses many different academic areas, including mathematics, biology, chemistry, psychology and law. A master's degree in forensics provides students with practical experience, usually during internships or thesis research, and theoretical knowledge within the classroom to perform crime scene analysis. The purpose of crime scene analysis training is to ensure that evidence is collected that can be used in court. Interested students usually earn undergraduate degrees in sciences such as biology, chemistry and physics, as Education-Portal.com states.
Courses
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Students must complete coursework as outlined by their school's program. Typical courses include analytical chemistry, DNA profiling, medical anatomy and law and forensic science. Many graduate forensic schools encourage academic research and may require students to complete a thesis under the supervision of an instructor as Education-Portal.com states. Some programs allow specialization through electives and research area, according to the University of Illinois at Chicago.
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Skills
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Forensic science programs emphasize analytical and interpretative skills within the laboratory sciences, such as trace evidence analysis, drug identification and toxicology and pattern evidence, according to the University of Illinois at Chicago. People interested in a career in forensics must be intellectually curious, complete thorough data interpretation and take detailed notes, according to the American Academy of Forensic Science.
Careers
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The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the number of jobs in forensic science is expected to increase by 20 percent between 2008 and 2018. Income varies by degree, actual job, where an employee works and how many hours worked, according to the American Academy of Forensic Science. Graduates with a master's degree in forensics can become DNA analysts, ballistics experts and crime scene investigators. Some graduate programs, such as the University of Illinois, train students to enter careers as criminalistics and forensic toxicology. Criminalists are typically employed at local, state or federal government forensic science laboratories, according to the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Internships
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Depending on the programs, students may be required to complete an internship before earning their master's degree. Internships usually take place in forensic science laboratories. Students have opportunities in laboratories at local, state and federal levels. At Ceder Crest College, for instance, students receive summer internships in states across the country such as Michigan, Florida, New Hampshire and Virginia, according to the school's website.
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References
Resources
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