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Criminal JusticeDegrees
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University of California-Davis · Forensic Science Graduate Group

Master of Science in Forensic Science

Master'sMSDedicated degreeOn campusFEPAC-accredited

Overview

In-person, thesis-based Master of Science of 54 quarter units with a forensic criminalistics track and a forensic DNA track, offered full-time or part-time. The program is self-supporting and priced per unit.

Official program name
Master of Science in Forensic Science
Awarded degree
Master of Science · major: Forensic Science
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.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: forensicscience.ucdavis.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: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
School
Source: grad.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Location
Davis, CA
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Subjects
Forensic Science — core of the degreeCrime Scene Investigation — core of the degree (“Homicide Crime Scene Investigation (core course)”)
Tracks / concentrations
Forensic Criminalistics track · Forensic DNA track
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Required credits
54 quarter units
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Duration
two years at an average of 9 units per quarter; typically three years part-time (5 units or less per quarter) (depends on units taken per quarter)A minimum under the stated conditions, not a typical length.
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Why this program is listed

Dedicated, thesis-based MS in Forensic Science in a natural-science curriculum.

Degree title names forensic science; thesis-based curriculum in physical evidence, forensic biology, chemical analysis and instrumentation with two tracks.

Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.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: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Internship
Internship requirement: not verified
Study intensity
Full-time, Part-time
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Curriculum

Thesis

Science prerequisites

  • Prerequisite coursework: general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, calculus and statistics, with biology added for the DNA track.
    Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Laboratory components

  • The criminalistics track includes a forensic science analytical instrumentation laboratory course; the DNA track includes a principles and practices of DNA typing laboratory course.
    Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
  • Students practice with mock crime scenes and moot court.
    Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Other

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”.
Prior degree
RequiredBachelor's degree (BA or BS) in a natural or physical science field from an accredited institution.
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Minimum GPA
RequiredMinimum 3 — Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a prerequisite-course GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Statement / essay
RequiredPersonal history statement and statement of purpose included in the application.
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Recommendation letters
Required3 letters — Three letters of recommendation.
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
English-test waiver
RequiredTOEFL 105 or above (speaking and writing 25 or above) or IELTS 7.5 or above for applicants from non-English-speaking countries; exempt if the degree was taught solely in English.
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Tests

GRE General Test
Not required
Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.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.

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.
CategoryAmountBasis and year
All students — Program tuition for students entering fall 2025 and after$903per creditCalculated tuition$48,762 = 54 credits × $903 per credit. Excludes mandatory fees, books, travel for any required visits or placements, transfer credit reductions and rate changes. Not the full cost of attendance.Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026

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

  • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) — accreditedSource: ope.ed.gov · verified October 10, 2026

FEPAC program accreditation

Accredited by FEPAC — listed as “Forensic Science. Concentrations in DNA Analysis Track and Criminalistics Track (Masters), Full Accreditation” · since March 1, 2026Source: aafs.org · verified October 24, 2026

  • Self-supporting program not eligible for state funding; students taking fewer than five units per quarter are not eligible for financial aid.
    Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · 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. forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/ — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
  2. forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/contact-us — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
  3. forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/forensic-criminalistics-track — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
  4. forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/forensic-dna-track — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
  5. forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/how-apply — Official admissions page, verified October 24, 2026
  6. forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/program-overview — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
  7. forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/requirements-admission — Official admissions page, verified October 24, 2026
  8. forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 24, 2026
  9. grad.ucdavis.edu/programs/gfor — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
  10. DAPIP — WSCUC institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-10) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 10, 2026
  11. FEPAC-accredited programs (AAFS) — Accreditor directory, verified October 24, 2026

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Similar programs at other schools

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

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Arcadia University

Master of Science in Forensic Science

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Duration: 2 years (full-time (as printed on the program page)) · 59 credits
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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
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George Washington University

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