The Forensic Science Program offers an accelerated degree option for Rutgers-Camden undergraduate students interested in pursuing a MSFS degree. Students accepted to the accelerated BS/MSFS may take forensic science classes for graduate credit (up to 9 credits) during their junior and senior years.
Students interested in the accelerated option must meet the following criteria in order to be accepted:
- Students must be majoring in a STEM discipline at Rutgers-Camden and meet the general curricular requirements of their major and the Camden College of Arts and Sciences;
- Students must be enrolled as minoring in forensic sciences;
- Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better;
- Students must notify the MSFS program by the Fall semester of their junior year of their interest in the accelerated option by filling out the Notification of Interest form.
A description of the undergraduate curricular requirements are available in the Course Catalog. A description of the MSFS degree requirements can be found here.
Questions about Accelerated MSFS or Research Assignments? Contact:
Catherine M. Grgicak,
Associate Professor & Program Director
Undergraduate Years – (31 total credits toward minor in forensic science, 9 of which count toward MSFS) Year 1 – Fall Semester (10 total credits toward degree); *Electives include any from the following list: Year 1 – Spring Semester (11 total credits toward degree) Year 1 – Summer Session (0 credits) Year 2 – Fall Semester (8 total credits towards degree) *Electives include any from the following list: Year 2 – Spring Semester (0 total credits towards degree) Electives include any from the following list:Sequence of courses for students beginning Fall 2024:
All minor FS requirements – 31 credits from the requirements, which can be found here. These include the MSFS requirements of 56:412:525, Forensic Science: theory & policy – 3 credits; 56:115:530, Forensic and Analytical Molecular Biology – 3 credits; and 56:160:580, Forensic Chemistry – 3 credits
Notify MSFS Program in Spring Junior Year: Examine Our Research and notify the program of your interest in MSFS by filling out the Notification of Interest form.
If received notice of eligibility, apply to MSFS Program in Fall Senior Year: Officially apply to the M.S. in forensic science program
56:115:531, Forensic DNA Analysis Lab – 1 credit
56:160:682, Forensic Chemistry Lab – 1 credit
56:412:526, Crime Scene Investigation – 3 credits
Graduate Elective* – 3 credits
56:412:700, Forensic Science Research – 2 credits
Research Placement – mid-October, based on student’s responses to Research Placement Questionnaire and background
56:160:523, Statistical Methods in Chemistry or 56:121:520, Essentials of Biomathematics – 3 credits
56:160:584, Forensic Toxicology or 56:160:611, Fundamentals of Pharmacology & Pharmacokinetics – 3 credits
56:412:527, Forensic Pattern Evidence – 3 credits
56:412:701, Forensic Science Research – 2 credits
Research continues
56:160:601, Seminar in Chemistry – 1 credit
Graduate Elective* – 3 credits
56:412:702, Research in Forensic Science and Capstone Presentation – 4 credits
If Fall graduation is anticipated, prepare by completing the following:
Step 1: Hand in Capstone to Research Advisor for review and revision – Early-February or mutually agreed upon timeline using University Thesis Style Guide
Step 2: Submit final version of Capstone to Committee for review, revision and approval – Mid-March or mutually agreed upon timeline
Step 3: Present capstone project in public forum – Mid-April. Specific dates set by Program Director
Step 4: Upon approval of the capstone by the committee, submit final version of capstone through the Electronic Thesis & Dissertations Portal by the Due Date
Step 5: Submit Online Diploma Application & Application for Admission to Candidacy for Degree by Due Date – Due Dates and Applications available at Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
If Spring graduation is anticipated, prepare by completing the following:
Step 1. Register for 56:412:800 – Matriculation Continued – 0 credits
Step 2: Hand in Capstone to Research Advisor for review and revision – Early-February or mutually agreed upon timeline using University Thesis Style Guide
Step 3: Submit final version of Capstone to Committee for review, revision and approval – Mid-March or mutually agreed upon timeline
Step 4: Present capstone project in public forum – Mid-April. Specific dates set by Program Director
Step 5: Upon approval of the capstone by the committee, submit final version of capstone through the Electronic Thesis & Dissertations Portal by the Due Date
Step 6: Submit Online Diploma Application & Application for Admission to Candidacy for Degree by Due Date – Due Dates and Applications available at Graduate School of Arts and Sciences