Postbaccalaureate Forensic Sciences Certificate Program
Application
The forensic sciences involve the application of scientific
principles and technical methods to criminal investigations.
Forensic scientists are variously involved with searches of crime
scenes, the analysis of collected evidence, identifying and linking
victims and suspects, the interpretation of evidence in the context
of the crime, and the presentation of expert opinions and
conclusions in a court of law.
Forensic scientists practice in a wide variety of disciplines.
Hamline's Postbaccalaureate Forensic Sciences Certificate Program
recognizes this and tailors the program to best prepare students
for their chosen career paths. Career counseling and personal
advising ensure completion of an individualized program of
study.
Hamline's 42-48 credit program will prepare students to pursue
careers in the forensic sciences (as either a technician or
scientist), law, or law enforcement in a hands-on applied
theory-to-practice environment.
Certificate seeking students must have completed an undergraduate
major in one of the following relevant disciplines:
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Criminal Justice
- Paralegal (Legal Assistant) Program
- Physics
- Psychology
Given that the forensic sciences include a broad range of
disciplines, petitions to earn the certificate through majors not
listed above will be evaluated by the director of the program.
Students pursuing a career in the forensic sciences with an
emphasis in criminalistics should have a major in either biology or
chemistry, while those interested in investigation and/or
non-natural science forensic sciences (e.g. forensic psychology,
forensic odontology, forensic anthropology) may pursue a major in a
discipline outside the natural sciences.
To earn a Postbaccalaureate Forensic Sciences Certificate, students
must have earned an appropriate degree from a regionally accredited
college or university and maintained a cumulative G.P.A. of
2.5.
Admission to the Post Baccalaureate Forensic Science program is
very selective. While all majors are considered, due to technical
advances in the Forensic Science field, most admitted students have
majors in the sciences and have lab experience.
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fee information is available at the Student Administrative Services Office. Financial aid is available based on
individual eligibility. Students must be enrolled in at least six
semester credits to qualify for financial aid. For required forms
or more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at
651-523-3000.
Admission Deadlines
Fall: August 1
Spring: December 1
Application Checklist
1. Complete the application and provide a personal statement
outlining your career and educational goals. You may include any
information you feel may be of importance to the Admission
Committee.
All international applicants must pay a $100 application fee. The application fee is accepted in the form of a bank draft (payable to Hamline University).
2. Arrange to have official transcript(s) of previous course work
and one letter of recommendation sent directly to:
Hamline University
Office of Graduate Admission
1536 Hewitt Avenue MS-A1710
St. Paul, MN 55104-1284
3. You will be contacted once your application file is complete and
the Admission Committee has made a decision on your application
status.
Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age,
sexual orientation, or veteran status in its education or
employment programs or activities.