M
Master’s degree
- Length
- 36 credit hours, 12 courses, including an applied project drawn from your own workplace.
- Entry
- A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, and professional experience related to the program.
- Status
- In preparation
- Levels
- Master's
- Credit hours
- 36
- Delivery
- Fully online
- Experience
- Assessed course by course
- Status
- In preparation
Overview
About the program
A master's program for investigators, laboratory staff and security professionals. It covers the scientific and legal principles behind evidence, from the scene to the courtroom.
The Forensic Sciences program is designed for people who already work in the field. It covers principles of forensic science, crime scene procedures, evidence handling and chain of custody, forensic analysis methods, law and expert testimony, and ends with research methods.
Like every Madison program, it is built for working adults. Courses you already master through your work are tested and recorded with a grade; the rest you study online, at your own pace, with tasks carried out in your own workplace.
In preparation. This program is not open for enrollment yet. It opens when its curriculum and courses are in place on the learning platform.
Outcomes
What you will be able to do
- 01Principles of forensic scienceExplain the core ideas of principles of forensic science and use them to read real situations at work.
- 02Crime scene proceduresAnalyse a real problem in crime scene procedures and recommend a course of action backed by evidence.
- 03Evidence handling and chain of custodyApply the methods of evidence handling and chain of custody in your own organization and measure the result.
- 04Forensic analysis methodsPlan and lead work in forensic analysis methods, and document your decisions to a professional standard.
- 05Law and expert testimonyEvaluate current practice in law and expert testimony against recognised standards and propose improvements.
- 06Research methodsAdvise colleagues and managers on research methods in clear, well-structured writing.
Curriculum
What you will study
The main areas of the curriculum. Your personal study plan lists the exact courses, their credit hours and those you may claim through assessment.
- 01Principles of forensic scienceHow science is used to answer legal questions.Core area
- 02Crime scene proceduresSecuring, documenting and searching a crime scene.Core area
- 03Evidence handling and chain of custodyCollecting, packaging and tracking evidence so it stands in court.Core area
- 04Forensic analysis methodsFingerprints, DNA, trace evidence and digital forensics.Core area
- 05Law and expert testimonyWriting expert reports and giving evidence in court.Core area
- 06Research methodsPlanning research, collecting data and writing it up.Core area
Levels
Levels, length and entry
Your experience
How your experience counts
- 01
Send your record
Your CV, certificates and evidence of work are mapped to the courses of this program.
- 02
Sit the course tests
Each course you claim is tested on its own. A pass is recorded on your transcript with its grade.
- 03
Study the rest
The remaining courses become your personal plan, with an expected end date in writing.
Professional titles
The field, by title
Beside the degree, this field is planned as a professional credential, with the title written before it. A title is not a degree. How titles work.
- 01Expert in Forensic SciencesFor people who have practiced Forensic Sciences for years and want their competence assessed and recorded.
- 02Consultant in Forensic SciencesFor experienced people who advise organizations on Forensic Sciences.
- 03Trainer in Forensic SciencesFor experienced people who teach or coach others in Forensic Sciences at work.
- 04Diploma in Forensic SciencesA focused credential in Forensic Sciences, based on assessed knowledge and evidence of practice.
In preparation. No title is open yet; the requirements are published when it opens.
Careers
Where this program is used
- Evidence officer
- Forensic technician
- Investigator
- Quality officer in a forensic laboratory
Roles this program relates to. A degree supports a career; it does not guarantee a position, and each employer sets its own requirements.