
University of California-Davis · Forensic Science Graduate Group
Master of Science in Forensic Science
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 ScienceSource: 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, CASource: 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 trackSource: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Required credits
- 54 quarter unitsSource: 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, 2026We 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 offered
- On campusSource: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Internship
- Internship requirement: not verified
- Study intensity
- Full-time, Part-timeSource: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Curriculum
Thesis
- Both tracks include thesis research (15-16 units of research in forensic science).Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
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
- The program page states the thesis-based option is FEPAC-accredited.Source: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Careers and licensure
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
- 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 requiredSource: forensicscience.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances.
Start dates and deadlines
- Upcoming
Application deadline
February 1, 2027 · for Fall 2027
Source: grad.ucdavis.edu · verified October 24, 2026 - Upcoming
Tuition and fees
| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All students — Program tuition for students entering fall 2025 and after | $903 | per 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
Program-specific scholarships: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
Accreditation
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
- forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/ — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
- forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/contact-us — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
- forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/forensic-criminalistics-track — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
- forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/forensic-dna-track — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
- forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/how-apply — Official admissions page, verified October 24, 2026
- forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/program-overview — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
- forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/requirements-admission — Official admissions page, verified October 24, 2026
- forensicscience.ucdavis.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 24, 2026
- grad.ucdavis.edu/programs/gfor — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
- DAPIP — WSCUC institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-10) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 10, 2026
- FEPAC-accredited programs (AAFS) — Accreditor directory, verified October 24, 2026
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