The Best Graduate Schools Offering Forensics Programs
Higher Education Articles December 26, 2016Overview of Schools offering Forensics Programs
In this article, we take a look at two of the top forensics graduate programs in the United States. Master’s programs are available at both of these East Coast schools; a doctoral program is also available at the CUNY John Jay College in New York. The U.S. News and World Report has ranked both schools highly on its lists of best schools. Students enrolled in the forensics program can select a specialization from a choice of concentrations, such as criminalistics, toxicology, chemistry or biology, varying from the school. Students may also be able to avail a graduate study opportunity or an internship.
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, NY
In 2009, the U.S. News and World Report ranked CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice tenth on its list of best graduate school for criminology. The City University of New York (CUNY) system of 23 colleges and institutions includes the John Jay College of Criminal Justice (John Jay). Programs related to law, security and justice are available through John Jay’s 24 academic departments. A forensic science master’s program is available at John Jay with strong foundations in biology, chemistry, law, and physics. Specializations in molecular biology, criminalistics, or forensic toxicology may be available to students enrolled in this Master of Science (M.S.) program. Students enrolled in the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Forensic Psychology program learn about the subject areas of personality assessment, psychopathology, and psychotherapeutic techniques. An MA in Forensic Mental Health Counseling, an MS in Forensic Computing, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Forensic Psychology are among other graduate-level programs that John Jay offers.
Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA
In 2010, the U.S. News and World Report ranked Pennsylvania State University 47th on its list of best national universities. The Eberly College of Science offers a program leading to a Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Forensic Science. Specializations in forensic chemistry, criminalistics, or forensic biology may be availed by students. Program coursework is also devised to impart a grasp of the use of forensics in the criminal justice system. The school’s past graduate and internship placements include city and county police departments, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, medical examiners’ offices, and DNA labs.
List of 100 Leading Colleges in the United States
| School Name | Location |
| University of Maryland — College Park | College Park, MD |
| University at Albany — SUNY | Albany, NY |
| University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH |
| University of Missouri — St. Louis | St. Louis, MO |
| Pennsylvania State University — University Park | University Park, PA |
| University of California — Irvine | Irvine, CA |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—Newark | Newark, NJ |
| CUNY — John Jay College | New York, NY |
| Temple University | Philadelphia, PA |
| Arizona State University | Glendale, AZ |
| Northeastern University | Boston, MA |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE |
| George Mason University | Manassas, VA |
| University of Nebraska — Omaha | Omaha, NE |
| American University | Washington, D.C. |
| University of Illinois — Chicago | Chicago, IL |
| Washington State University | Pullman, WA |
