Florida Gulf Coast University Catalog

Criminal Forensic Studies (M.S.) 2009-2010 Catalog Year

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College of Professional Studies

Division of Justice Studies

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Criminal Forensic Studies is an interdisciplinary program, focused on making graduates highly competitive in the marketplace.  Students completing the Forensic Behavioral Analyst Concentration will possess advanced skills for utilization as Crime Scene Investigators or Criminal Investigation Detectives at local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, offices of the state and federal prosecuting attorneys, juvenile and adult corrections, and child welfare agencies.  Students completing the Death Investigator Concentration will have completed the requisite curriculum required by the majority of Medical Examiner's Offices throughout the United States.  This program is designed to fill the need for qualified death investigators for Medical Examiner's and Coroner's Offices; Homicide Investigation Units; and other agencies whose responsibilities include the investigation of questioned death.

Program Admission Requirements

• Submit a completed FGCU Graduate Application.
• Submit a completed Immunization History Form.
• Provide evidence of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning 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 3520 Forensic Anthropology
  • CCJ 3603 Forensic Psychology
  • CCJ 3670 Introduction to Criminalistics
  • CCJ 4674 Advanced Forensic Psychology
  • CJE 4641 Advanced Criminalistics


• For international applicants for whom English is a second language, submit a score of 550 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• 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 a completed Criminal Forensic Studies Supplemental Application Form including
  
  • Three completed reference rating forms/letters of recommendation from persons qualified to judge the applicant's academic and professional potential.
  • A letter of Application/Statement of Career Goals, no more than two pages in length, which specifies the student's area of concentration:
    
    
    
    1.  Forensic Behavior Analyst, or
    2.  Death Investigator (Criminalistics or Human Identity and Trauma Analysis).
  
  The letter should also briefly discuss the influences that led you to the section of FGCU's M.S. in Criminal Forensic Studies program, career goals, relevant work and/or academic experience.

Program Requirements

1. Required Courses in the Major Core (12 hrs)
   
   
   • CCJ 6707 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (3)
   • CJE 6629  Master's Integrative Project (6)
   • CJL 6621 Criminal Evidence and Courtroom Testimony (3)


2. Electives in the Major (12 hrs)
      
   Select 6 hours from the following:
   
   • CCJ 6940  Crime Scene Investigation Practicum (6)
   • CCJ 6941 Forensic Behavioral Analysis Practicum (6)
   • CJE 6748 Human Identity Practicum (6)
   
   Select 6 hours from the following
   
   • CCJ 6770 Independent Research in Criminalistics (6)
   • CCJ 6912 Independent Research in Forensic Behavioral Analysis (6)
   • CJE 6749 Independent Research in Human Identity Analysis (6)


3. Concentration Requirements (18 hrs)
    
       Select one of the following concentrations:
   
   
   1. Forensic Behavioral Analyst Concentration
      
      
      • CCJ 6606 Social Constructs of Crime (3)
      • CCJ 6709 Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (3)
      • CCJ 6711 Classical Theory & Current Research in Violent Behavior (3)
      • PSB 6244 Neurobiological Bases of Behavior (3)
      • Plus 6 hours of electives from the following:*
        • The non-selected concentration.
        • CCJ 6930 Special Topics in Criminal Forensic Studies.
        • Courses outside of the Criminal Forensic Studies program, on a case-by-case basis, with prior approval of the faculty advisor.
   
   
   2. Death Investigator Concentration
      
      
      • CJE 6622 Crime Scene & Laboratory Mgmt. (3)
      • CJE 6645 Medicolegal Death Investigation I (3)
      • CJE 6646 Medicolegal Death Investigation II (3)
      • Plus 9 hours of electives from the following:*
        • The non-selected concentration.
        • CCJ 6930 Special Topics in Criminal Forensic Studies.
        • Courses outside of the Criminal Forensic Studies program, on a case-by-case basis, with prior approval of the faculty advisor.
   
   *Students are not permitted to enroll in additional sections of Practicum, Independent Research, or Integrative Project.

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED: 42 HRS

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