Admission Requirements

Admission to the Program

Applicants for admission to the M.S.
in Criminal Forensic Studies program are expected to meet or
exceed the following requirements:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.
2. Completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within the last five years with a combined quantitative and verbal score of 1100.
3. Undergraduate GPA of 3.25
4. Completion of the following undergraduate courses or equivalent:
   
   1. CCJ 3603 Forensic Psychology
   2. CCJ 4674 Advanced Forensic Psychology
   3. CCJ 3670 Introduction to Criminalistics
   4. CJE 4641 Advanced Crimanilistics
   5. ANT 3520 Forensic Anthropology
5. International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to submit a score of 550 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Required application materials consist of the following:

1. A complete FGCU Graduate Application;
2. One official transcript from each baccalaureate and/or graduate institution attended;
3. One official copy of test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last five years;
4. A complete Criminal Forensic Studies Supplemental Application Form;
5. Three completed reference rating forms/letters of recommendation from persons qualified to judge the applicant's academic and professional potential;
6. An Immunization History Form;
7. A letter of Application/Statement of Career Goals, no more than two pages in length that specifies the student's area of concentration:
   
   1. Forensic Behavior Analyst, or
   2. Death Investigator
      
      1. Criminalistics
      2. Human Identity and Trauma Analysis

The letter should also briefly discuss the influences that led you to the section of FGCU's M.S. in Criminal Forensic Studies program, career goals, relevant work and/or academic experience.

Advising

Following admission to the program, all M.S. in Criminal Forensic Studies students are assigned to a faculty advisor. The faculty advisor assists students with individual academic program planning, selection of area of concentration, and choice of electives. The faculty advisor may also work jointly with other faculty in and outside the Division of Justice Studies on courses related to the student's concentration area.