Academic Catalog

Forensic Studies (B.S.) 2023-2024 Catalog Year
College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Justice Studies

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Forensic Studies provides students with the skills requisite to the investigation of criminal offenses and the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of criminal offenders. This curriculum integrates the theoretical perspectives of different disciplines pertaining to deviant and criminal behavior with the practice of identification, procurement, and presentation of evidence resulting from criminal activity. This program builds upon a solid liberal arts core to achieve a balanced criminal justice perspective, which includes an emphasis upon the victim, the offender, the criminal justice system and society. Recognizing the multidisciplinary nature of Forensics, this curriculum blends crime scene analysis, laboratory analysis, behavioral analysis, and Constitutional Criminal Law. The program’s objective is to develop a sound educational foundation for graduate work or professional practice at the bachelor’s level. It is designed as a scholar/practitioner curriculum providing students with advanced levels of knowledge in criminal investigation, thus increasing the employment potential for the graduates of this degree.

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
  • Attend an orientation session.
  • Sign an Advising Agreement document.

In addition to the program requirements, students must:

  • Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
  • Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000-4999 level).
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
  • Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
  • Satisfy the Service Learning requirement. See: https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/servicelearning/.
  • Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
  • Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
  • Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
  • Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Program Requirements
  1. FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/)
    To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major.

  2. Common Prerequisites
    For this major, common prerequisite courses with an asterisk (*) require prior knowledge and skills demonstrated through degree acceleration programs (e.g., the College Board's Advanced Placement Program [AP], International Baccalaureate Program [IB], College-Level Examination Program [CLEP], Advanced International Certificate of Education Program [AICE]); dual enrollment; placement exam; or college coursework.

    FGCU Course: BSC 1010C General Biology w/Lab I (4) or (BSC 1010 (3) and BSC 1010L (1)) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: BSCX010C or (BSCX010 and BSCX010L)

    FGCU Course: *CHM 1025 Introductory General Chemistry (3) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: CHMX025 or CHMX025C or CHMX032 or CHMX032C or CHMX045 or CHMX045C
    [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]

    FGCU Course: *STA 2023 Statistical Methods (3) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: STAX023 or STAX037
    [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]

  3. Required Courses in the Major (39 credits)
    A minimum grade of C is required in each course

    ANT 2511C Intro to Physical Anthropology (3)
    ANT 3520C Forensic Anthropology (3)
    CCJ 1080 Intro to Forensic Studies (3)
    CCJ 3603 Forensic Behavioral Analysis (3)
    CCJ 3670 Crime Scene Investigation (3)
    CCJ 3700 Meth Criminal Justice Research (3)
    CCJ 3701 Criminal Justice Data Analysis (3)
    CCJ 4054 Ethics in the Crim Justice Sys (3)
    CCJ 4934 Senior Seminar (3)
    CJE 4612 Interview and Interrogation (3)
    CJE 4940 Forensic Studies Internship (3)
    CJL 4133 Criminal Evidence (3)
    DSC 2006 Homeland Security (3)

  4. Restricted Electives in the Major (9 credits)
    A minimum grade of C is required in each course

    Select 9 credits from any of the following:
    PLA 3205 Courtroom Techniques (3)
    PLA 4570 Globalization & the Rule of Law (3)
    Upper division (3000-4999 level) course(s)* with any of the following prefixes: CCJ, CJC, CJE, CJJ or CJL

    *Courses used to fulfill required courses in the major cannot also be used to fulfill restricted electives.

  5. University Requirements (3 credits)
    IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3)

  6. Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree.
Total Credits Required: 120

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