Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science

You love science…technology…and justice. You’re interested in a rewarding and challenging career that is facing unprecedented growth—and affecting the world around you in a positive way. If this sounds like you, consider majoring in forensic science at Cedar Crest College.

Unlike institutions whose programs focus on single aspects of forensic science, Cedar Crest’s forensic science major follows a “generalist philosophy” that is designed to offer you greater insight into the field of forensic science as a whole. This broader approach means that you will experience a more comprehensive education, which will better prepare you for a wide array of professional careers or for graduate studies in forensic science.

Also, selecting Cedar Crest for your forensic science studies gives you an immediate edge over students attending most other institutions because our College is one of just a handful in the nation that offers fully accredited forensic science programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This accreditation ensures that you will be receiving the highest quality education—a fact that future employers and graduate schools alike hold in high esteem.

For those students specifically interested in forensic DNA testing, a forensic science concentration is available to any student majoring in genetic engineering.

In addition to the course requirements, students must perform two semesters of research in forensic science or another natural science discipline.

Mission Statement

The mission of the forensic science programs at Cedar Crest is to provide students wishing to enter a career in the forensic sciences with a solid foundation in the natural sciences, to emphasize the importance of critical thinking skills in approaching forensic science problems, and to educate students in a broad range of forensic analytical techniques from a generalist perspective.

Goals and Objectives

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of topics, techniques, and concepts related to criminalistics.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to perform qualitative and quantitative critical analysis in conjunction with the development and completion of a scientific research project.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to use and conceptually understand instrumentation typically used in forensic analysis.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to access and understand primary scientific literature from the forensic sciences and other sciences.
5. Students will demonstrate effective writing and speaking skills to communicate scientific concepts and findings to faculty and students.
6. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the forensic scientist in the criminal justice system.
7. Students will demonstrate an understanding of professional codes of ethics and how they can be used to resolve ethical dilemmas common to forensic science practice.
8. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the application of the scientific method to the management and reconstruction of a crime scene.

Student Achievement Data (2018-2022)

Graduate/Professional School Education

                                                                                   

Number of Graduates	27
Number of Graduates Who Attended Graduate/Professional School	15
MS	11
Ph.D.	3
M.D.	1
Number of Graduates Who Completed Graduate Degree	6
Number of Students Actively Pursuing Graduate Degree	9

Employment

                                                   

Number of Graduates Employed by a Forensic Science Service Provider (private and public sector)	6
Number of Graduates Employed in an Analytical Laboratory Capacity(non-forensic)	7
Number of Graduates Employed in Health Care, Emergency Services, or Pharmacy	1
Number of Graduates Employed in a Crime Scene Capacity for Local Law Enforcement	2
Number of Graduates Employed in Medical Research	2
Number of Students Employed in Elementary or Secondary Education	1
Full-Time Students (not listed in any category above)	7
Medical Resident	1