Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s: Forensic Science

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Criteria and Application Requirements

Students interested in pursuing the Accelerated Bachelor to Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) must:

Be pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science
By the start of Accelerated status, have either:
- 75 credit hours earned and an overall BGSU GPA of at least 3.2, or
- 90 credit hours earned and an overall BGSU GPA of at least 3.0;
Complete Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program Application;
Submit transcripts from all universities attended;
Submit at least one letter of recommendation from a full-time BGSU faculty member, preferably from graduate faculty within the student’s major or targeted graduate program.
- Letter of recommendation mentioned in above #5 should come from a member of BGSU with personal knowledge of student who is NOT a faculty/staff from the forensic science program.
Have completed:
- CHEM 1770;
- BIOL 2040;
- BIOL 2050;
- CHEM 1230 or CHEM 1350;
- CHEM 1270 or 1370;
- CHEM 2010;
- CHEM 3410;
- CHEM 3440;
- Grades earned in the above courses will be reviewed as part of the application process
Have completed FSCI 4300 (if forensic chemistry/drug analysis specialization student) or FSCI 4230 (if forensic biology/DNA analysis or forensic examination student) and earned a B or better.
Submit personal statement that addresses these topics: research interest (e.g. chemistry versus biology), expectations, future career goals, and any relevant background experience. The statement should indicate how the MSFS program at BGSU can aid the student in obtaining future goals. Where appropriate, this statement should provide information on educational experiences, research background, specialized training, or other matters which make the candidate suitable for admission.
Submit a scientific writing sample (e.g. laboratory report, case study, research paper, published journal article, undergraduate honors thesis, etc.);
Submit a resume

Deadline to complete application: February 1st 11:59 pm to take accelerated courses the following fall semester

Note, the MSFS program may require more information from applicants that could require an interview.

Please note, to be eligible for the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program in Forensic Science, students must NOT have taken or previously received credit in as part of the BSFS program:

FSCI 4400
CHEM 4450
CHEM 3080
CRJU 4510
CRJU 4400

Students will then be evaluated by Forensic Science Program faculty. If accepted, students will be granted Accelerated status.

Once the student completes their undergraduate degree, they should complete the remaining requirements for the Master of Science in Forensic Science program. This program requires you to complete a Plan I Thesis Research Project (FSCI 6990).

Select from the following list (no more than 9 credits total)

Note, students who successfully completed their Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science degree at BGSU prior to receiving Graduate Accelerated Status will not be able to register for cross-listed courses at the graduate level that were previously completed at the undergraduate level (e.g. FSCI 4230/5230 or FSCI 4300/5300). Affected students will be granted a course substitution for CHEM 5450, approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

Note, in completing the Forensic Science Accelerated program, students earn six (6) overlapping credits that count toward the MSFS degree.

Accelerated MSFS students should complete FSCI 4700 as their culminating experience course because it can be used as preparation for eventual thesis research.