Forensic Investigations (Graduate Certificate)
Dr. Monty Smith, Program Director
msmith84@missouriwestern.edu
(816) 271-4434
missouriwestern.edu/criminal-justice-legal-studies/forensic-investigation/
The Graduate Certificate in Forensic Investigations is ideal for the student who has already earned a graduate degree in another discipline and seeks to increase or formalize their knowledge of forensic fields. The Certificate will also be of interest to persons already employed in a related field, but not requiring a degree.
Admission Requirements
- Submission of application for admission to the MWSU Graduate School.
- Completion of a B.A. or B.S. degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university.
- Minimum overall G.P.A. of 2.75.
- Completion of a 300 or 400 level undergraduate research course with a grade of C or higher as approved by the Program Director.
- Personal Statement describing how the Forensic Investigations degree will further their career goals.
- Two letters of reference; one from an academic source and another from an employer.
- Application reviewed and approved by the MAS Forensic Investigations Admissions Committee.
Students who are accepted to this program will have no more than 3 years from admission or subsequent declaration to meet the requirements listed below. If certification, accreditation or statutory requirements change and additional requirements become effective during this time, the new requirements take precedence.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | ||
| CRJ 500 | Death Investigation | 3 |
| CRJ 570 | Criminal Investigative Methods | 3 |
| CRJ 600 | Criminal Law, Evidence and Legal Procedures | 3 |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Select nine credit hours from the following courses (at least six credit hours must be 600 level) | 9 | |
| Forensic Accounting | ||
| Auditing for Fraud | ||
| Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in Violent Crimes | ||
| Forensic Anthropology for Law Enforcement | ||
| Human Remains: Search, Recovery, and Identification | ||
| Forensic Entomology | ||
| Profiling and Behavioral Analysis | ||
| Administration, Planning, and Ethics | ||
CRJ 596-599: Special Topics | ||
| Courtroom Testimony and Procedure | ||
| Forensic Photography and Crime Scene Investigation | ||
| Analysis of Biological Evidence | ||
| Analysis of Physical Evidence | ||
| Internet Commerce Fraud and Investigation | ||
| Computer Forensics | ||
| Forensic Interviewing | ||
| Advanced Research Methods | ||
| Graduate Internship | ||
| Research and Publication | ||
CRJ 696-699: Special Topics | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Program Graduation Requirement
- Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with no more than 6 credit hours of C in all required coursework.
University Graduation Requirements
- Satisfactorily complete all required coursework in the program;
- Earn a minimum of 15 credit hours.