Forensic Studies MS

Institutional Accreditation

Information on FGCU institutional accreditation is available at www.fgcu.edu/accreditation

Getting Started

Applicants must submit an application online per the individual program’s instructions below. Please contact Graduate Admissions at 239-745-GRAD or graduate@fgcu.edu for additional information about the application process. Satisfaction of minimum University and program requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applicants should check with the program for the most up to date admission requirements prior to commencing the application process.

• Submit a completed FGCU Graduate Admissions Application and satisfy all applicable university admissions requirements.
• Submit a completed Immunization History Form
• Earned baccalaureate degree from an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body (https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html) or equivalent foreign institution and supply one official transcript from each baccalaureate and/or graduate institution attended.
• Submit an official copy of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) taken within the last five years with a combined quantitative and verbal score of 1100.
• Provide evidence of an undergraduate GPA of 3.25.
• Complete the following undergraduate courses or equivalent:
  • ANT 3345 Methods in Anthropological Research (3)
  • ANT 3520 Forensic Anthropology***
  • ANT 3824 Archaeological Field Methods (3)
  • CCJ 3603 Forensic Psychology***
    ***Forensic Behavioral Analysis Concentration applicants are only required to complete these two courses.  Human Identity and Trauma Analysis Concentration applicants must complete all four.
• International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.
• A criminal history through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement may be required for specific internships or elective work/study assignments.
• Special immunizations and screenings may be required for elective field work.
• Submit:
  • Three completed letters of recommendation from persons qualified to judge the applicant's academic and professional potential.
  • A letter of intent which describes research and career goals, no more than two pages in length (single spaced, 1-inch page borders, New Times Roman 12 point font), which specifies the student's area of concentration and foreseen ability to articulate with specific faculty.
  • Curriculum vitae.

Program Requirements for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework in the program.
• Each Course for this program completed with a grade of C or higher.
• If pursuing the thesis option, follow the guidelines for submission of thesis materials through ProQuest.  Refer to the Graduate Studies website.
• Submit an application to graduate by the deadline noted in the Academic Calendar.
• Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the semester in which they apply for graduation.
• Earn more than 50% of the credits toward the degree FGCU.

Program Requirements

1. Required Courses in the Major (16 credits)
   ANG 5525C Human Osteology (4)
   CCJ 6606 Social Constructs of Crime (3)
   CCJ 6707 Adv. Quantitative Research (3)
   DSC 6596 Critical Thinking and Intel Anal (3)
   GIS 5306C Advanced GIS: Spatial Analysis (3)
   
   
2. Thesis or Non-Thesis (18 credits)
   
   Thesis Option:
   Complete the following:
   CJE 6629 MS Thesis in Forensic Studies (6)
   
   Complete 12 credits from the Restricted Electives List* below.
   
   Non-Thesis Option:
   Complete 18 credits from the Restricted Electives List* below.
   
   Restricted Electives List:
   ANG 6910 Supervised Research (1-6)
   CCJ 6617 Forensic Psychology (3)
   CCJ 6696 Human Trafficking (3)
   CCJ 6930 Spec Topics (3)
   CJE 5777C Env'l & Subject Photography (3)
   CJE 6749 Ind. Research (3)
   CJL 6523 Forensic Analysis of Juries (3)
   Courses from the non-selected concentration below.
   Courses outside the Forensic Studies program approved by the faculty advisor on a case-by-case basis.
   
   
3. Concentration (9-10 credits)
   
   Select one of the following concentrations:
   
   Forensic Behavioral Analysis Concentration
   
   Complete the following:
   CCJ 6709 Advanced Qualitative Research (3)
   CCJ 6711 Research in Violent Behavior (3)
   CCJ 6941 Practicum-Frnsic Bhvrl Analyst (3)
   
   Human Identity and Trauma Analysis Concentration
   
   Complete the following:
   ANG 6740C Forensic Anthropology (4)
   CCJ 5796 Ecology of Crime (3)
   CJE 6748 Practicum-Human Identity (3)
   
   

Total Credits Required: 43 HRS