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Michigan State University

Forensic Science, Master of Science

Master'sMSDedicated degreeOn campusFEPAC-accredited

Overview

Campus Master of Science in Forensic Science with core classes in forensic science and chemistry, an independent thesis project and fall-only admission.

Official program name
Forensic Science, Master of Science
Awarded degree
Master of Science · major: Forensic Science
Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Degree level
Master's
Subject focus
Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science or a closely related justice subject.
Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Forensic type
Laboratory forensic scienceA natural-science degree built around chemistry, biology and laboratory analysis of evidence. Laboratory and prerequisite requirements are listed on the profile.
Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
School
Location
East Lansing, MI
Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Subjects
Forensic Science — core of the degree
Required credits
Not verified
Duration
Not verified
Why this program is listed

Dedicated Master of Science in Forensic Science on campus.

Dedicated thesis-based forensic science master's with a forensic chemistry focus.

Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

We list associate, bachelor's, master's and research-doctorate programs in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science and related subjects at institutionally accredited US schools — degrees in the subject and formal concentrations, never certificates or one-elective degrees. Eligibility rules

Format and attendance

Formats, online delivery, campus visits, internships and class schedule are shown separately, each only as the school states it.
Formats offered
On campus
Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Internship
Optional internship
Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Study intensity
Not verified

Curriculum

Thesis

  • Each student conducts an independent research project that ends in a written thesis and oral defense.
    Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Natural-science content

  • Students take core classes in both forensic science and chemistry.
    Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Science prerequisites

  • The mission refers to students who have achieved a bachelor's degree in a natural or physical science.
    Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Laboratory components

  • A forensic chemistry laboratory with lab space and a computer lab is located in the Chemistry building.
    Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Other

  • Students may pursue the master's degree jointly with a Ph.D. in a related field by applying to both programs.
    Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Careers and licensure

An academic degree and an occupational licence are different things.

Career and licensure statements for this program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

A degree does not guarantee police academy admission, sworn officer certification, federal employment, a security clearance, a position with a named agency, a forensic laboratory job or eligibility to practice as a psychologist. Those have separate training, scientific prerequisites, examinations or hiring requirements set by the agency, state or licensing board. Academic degrees vs police academy training

Admissions

Required, optional, waived and not-required items are shown exactly as the school states them. Anything not listed is not verified — not “not required”.
Minimum GPA
RequiredMinimum 3 — Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Statement / essay
RequiredStatement of academic and professional goals.
Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Recommendation letters
Required3 letters — Three letters of recommendation from tenure-track faculty.
Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Tests

GRE General Test
RequiredGeneral scores from an exam taken within the last five years.
Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances.

Start dates and deadlines

Dates are shown with the term the school printed. A past date is marked passed and is never carried into a new cycle.

  • Application deadline

    January 15 · for Fall

    The school does not print a year with this date.

    Source: cj.msu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
    Year not printed

Tuition and fees

Each amount keeps its student category, academic year and basis. Per-credit, per-term and whole-program figures are not comparable with each other, and tuition is not the full cost of attendance.

Tuition for this program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Scholarships and funding

Awards published by the school for this program or for its level. Loans must be repaid and are not scholarships; service scholarships require government service after graduation. Graduate funding guide

Program-specific scholarships: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Accreditation

Two different things: the school's institutional accreditation, and FEPAC accreditation of this exact forensic science program.

Institutional accreditation

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) — accreditedSource: ope.ed.gov · verified October 10, 2026

FEPAC program accreditation

Accredited by FEPAC — listed as “Forensic Science, Forensic Chemistry Track (Masters), Full Accreditation” · since March 1, 2025Source: aafs.org · verified October 24, 2026

Sources and verification

Every fact on this page comes from the official pages and directories below. Last verified October 24, 2026.
  1. cj.msu.edu/academics/programs/forensic-science-ms — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
  2. DAPIP — HLC institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-10) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 10, 2026
  3. FEPAC-accredited programs (AAFS) — Accreditor directory, verified October 24, 2026

Something out of date? Request a correction · Represent this school? Claim the profile

Similar programs at other schools

Same degree level and focus. Listed for discovery, not ranked.

Arcadia University logo

Arcadia University

Master of Science in Forensic Science

Master'sMSDedicated degreeLaboratory science
Format: Campus · Full-time, Part-time
Location: Glenside, PA
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: 2 years (full-time (as printed on the program page)) · 59 credits
Tuition: $35,150 per academic year · All students — Program page tuition
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: MSCHEFEPAC-accredited program
Subjects: Forensic Science
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Cedar Crest College logo

Cedar Crest College

Master of Science in Forensic Science

Master'sMSDedicated degreeLaboratory scienceMaster of Science
Format: Campus · Full-time
Location: Allentown, PA
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: full-time, two-year program (full-time)
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: MSCHEFEPAC-accredited program
Subjects: Forensic Science
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George Washington University logo

George Washington University

Master of Forensic Sciences

Master'sMFSDedicated degreeLaboratory science
Format: Campus
Location: Washington, DC
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: Duration not verified · 37 credits
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: MSCHE
Subjects: Forensic Science
View program

Criminal Justice Degrees is independent and not affiliated with Michigan State University. Information is collected from official pages and directories and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.