Forensic ScienceGraduate Academic Overview

The Master of Science in Forensic Science degree program emphasizes extensive learning in the scientific and laboratory skills necessary for application in a modern forensic laboratory. The program offers concentration focuses on areas of forensic investigation and includes exposure to the breadth of forensic disciplines, including the principles, practices, and contexts of science as they relate to specialized forensic topics.

Graduates from this program are prepared to enhance and strengthen the forensic science disciplines through sound methodologies and practices while simultaneously advocating the highest ethical standards through public service to federal, state, and local law enforcement jurisdictions and agencies.

Students from various undergraduate backgrounds may pursue either of two concentrations within the program:

The forensic chemistry concentration or the forensic investigation concentration.

The forensic investigation concentration is designed for students who have a social science background and intend to work in a non-laboratory setting. The forensic chemistry concentration is designed for students who have a natural or forensic science background and wish to work in a traditional laboratory setting. The program offers both theoretical and practical coursework and is designed to allow students to emphasize areas of special interest such as forensic chemistry, toxicology, DNA, or crime scene investigation.


Students in both concentrations must take 30 hours from the core curriculum, including fundamentals of forensic science, research methods, crime scene investigation, trace evidence analysis, and ethics. The remaining coursework requirements vary by concentration and includes specialized courses along with a broad list of approved electives. Forensic chemistry concentration students are required to complete a research-oriented thesis. Forensic investigation students may complete a research-oriented thesis or an internship and a comprehensive written exam. This comprehensive exam is highly individualized and will focus on the student’s primary area of interest. For both the forensic chemistry and investigation concentrations, a minimum of 39 hours of graduate coursework plus 6 hours of thesis (FSCI 6000) or internship (FSCI 6031) are required.

Following the first 9 credit hours of graduate study, each student’s curriculum will be formalized through consultation with the student’s forensic faculty academic advisor and will reflect the student’s area of emphasis. This degree plan will be approved by the program advisor before being submitted to the Graduate School. When approved, it will serve as a tool for advising and reviewing to assure completion of degree requirements.

Applicants will be considered for admission to the forensic science program after the following materials are received: completed application to the Texas Tech Graduate School, GRE test scores, three letters of recommendation (two of which must be from academic faculty), letter of intent, and curriculum vita/resume. The program accepts students in the fall and spring semesters. Once that process is completed, program admission and competitive scholarship awards are based on the following three general categories of criteria:

• Academic Record. All academic records may be considered—60 hours, total, major, post-baccalaureate, etc.
• Test Scores. Scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) should be no more than five years old. Each score is considered separately, with percentile scores viewed by broad major. No test score will be considered the sole criterion.
• Individual Profile. Profiles may include recommendations, research background, motivation, undergraduate institution, presentation, and interviews. Other information that admission committees may consider is work commitment, demonstrated commitment to a particular field of work or study, and community involvement.

Contact: Dr. Paola Tiedemann, paola.tiedemann@ttu.edu

NOTE: Certain criminal, traffic, and civil convictions can disqualify a graduate from obtaining some positions in the law enforcement or criminal justice professions.