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Program Requirements

Forensic Pattern Analysis encompasses a range of academic disciplines that apply the knowledge, techniques, and technology to the investigation of crime and the courts of law, and the curriculum encompasses six departments of academic focus, providing both breadth and depth in education and training.

Students engage with subjects ranging from philosophy to biology and take courses such as introductory and advanced topics in fingerprints, mock trial, forensic entomology, quality control and assurance, writing, and ethics. Traditionally, graduate forensic science programs focus heavily on preparation for students for careers in forensic biology, toxicology, and crime scene investigation. What makes Loyola’s program unique is an emphasis on comparative sciences, especially latent prints.

Program Requirements Beginning Fall 2024

The degree consists of 39-42 graduate credit hours. Requirements for a major and an example of a typical program of courses are as follows:

Required Courses:   30 credits
FO 500 Forensic Studies Seminar Series+ 1 cr. (2 cr total)
FO 530 Criminalistics 3 credits
FO 610 Fingerprints 3 credits
FO 630 Biological and Forensic Science Laboratory Quality
Control and Assurance
3 credits

FO 650

Forensic Pattern Evidence 3 credits
FO 675 Mock Trial for Forensic Pattern Evidence 3 credits
FO 700 Statistics in Forensic Science 3 credits
FO 710 Advanced Topics and Techniques in Fingerprints 4 credits
FO 790 or FO 791 or FO 792 Forensic Pattern Analysis Internship or Research or 
Independent Study*
3 credits
WR 626 or WR 625 Technical Writing or Professional Writing 3 credits

 

Elective Courses: choose three (3) courses from the below list 9-12 credits
FO 584 Forensic Chemistry 3 credits
FO 600 Crime Scene Investigation 4 credits
FO 651 Forensic Entomology w/lab 4 credits
FO 656 Biological Forensics 3 credits
FO 657 Biological Forensics Lab 1 credits
FO 677 Death Investigation 3 credits
FO 685 Intro to Firearms & Toolmarks Analysis 3 credits
FO 690 Topics in Forensic Science# 3 credits
FO 695 Crime Scene & Evidence Photography 3 credits
FO 715 Forensic Anthropology 4 credits
FO 752 Forensic Science Errors & Wrongful Convictions 3 credits
FO 773 Special Topics in Forensic Biology# 3 credits
FO 781 Cold Case Investigation 3 credits
FO 785 Advanced Firearms & Toolmarks Analysis 3 credits
PL 611 Bioethics 3 credits
ST 681 Probability and Statistics  3 credits

+FO 500 A minimum of two seminars are required. 
#FO 690 and FO 773 May be repeated once for credit.
*FO 790 / FO 791 / FO 792 can be fulfilled by an internship, research, or an independent study approved by the graduate program director, and may be repeated for credit, with approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Contact Us

Graduate Admissions
graduate@loyola.edu
410-617-5020

Theresa Allen
Director of Program Operations
Forensic Science Graduate Programs
teallen@loyola.edu
410-617-2642