Online Crime Scene Degree :: Accredited Universities

The School of Education & Social Services offers a criminalistics specialization in our online criminal justice B.A. for students interested in using forensic science to analyze and interpret evidence in the law enforcement field.

In addition to increasing your understanding of criminal justice administration principles, your courses will explore:

Crime scene investigation
Forensic science
Criminal identification
Evidence collection and preservation
Scientific writing and courtroom testimony

This online program enhances the effectiveness of working professionals, provides a foundation for advancement to administrative levels, and prepares students for graduate study in criminal justice administration and related fields.

Field placements are available to all students without prior criminal justice-related professional experience. Placements and possible future employment opportunities are offered with agencies such as the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. District Court, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

One of the leading military colleges in the United States, Saint Leo University has been educating criminal justice professionals for more than three decades. In the Catholic spirit, we base our criminal justice model on a steadfast moral consciousness that recognizes the dignity, value, and gifts of all people.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have graduated in high school or diploma from an accredited institution

International applicants
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For non-native English speaking students ,provide proof of English language proficiency, demonstrated in at least one of the following ways:

- A minimum score 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

- A minimum score of 450 on the verbal component of the SAT

- Grades of B or higher in English composition courses where English is the language of instruction

- For transfer students, two semesters with grades of B or higher in English composition courses at regionally accredited post-secondary institutions in the United States

- Successful completion of an Association of International Educators-recognized ESL program

Other Fees

Books - $1,360

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The Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Forensic Sciences allows students to focus their studies on the aspect of criminal justice that most appeals to their interests and best fits their career aspirations. Forensic sciences experts play a valuable role in law enforcement efforts and may be utilized in a variety of settings including crime scenes, laboratories, and court rooms.

In addition to providing students with a comprehensive criminal justice education covering fundamental issues of criminal law, technology in law enforcement, and criminology, the Forensic Sciences study track offers specialized training in fingerprinting, drug enforcement, and other specific skills vital to a career in this growing field.

If you are a member of the New York Police Department, you are also eligible to take the NYPD Elective Classes.

Potential Careers

Students who earn their Master in Criminal Justice degree with a specialization in Forensic Sciences typically pursue the following careers:

Crime Scene Investigator
Forensic Science Technician
Police Officer
Detective

Entry Requirements

Application

A completed application.

Statement of Goals

A statement of your goals reflecting the academic, professional, and personal goals you would like to achieve through your work with Aspen University. Your goals statement will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee as part of the application process. The statement of goals should be between 300 - 500 words.

Bachelor's Degree Transcripts

Evidence of a bachelor’s degree in the form of official transcripts from an accredited/approved institution, or an equivalently certified degree from a recognized foreign college or university. Official transcripts of all previous baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate study must be sent directly to Aspen University by the granting institution(s).

Military Documentation (Optional)

A Military ID or DD214 for those who qualify for the military discount program.

Transfer Credit Evaluation (Optional)

Students who have earned college credit may submit a transfer credit evaluation report with corresponding course descriptions, and official transcripts from accredited institutions in order to determine which credits may be applied toward the requirements of a program at Aspen University.

Other Fees

Annual Technology Fee - $150

Graduation (one time) - $100

Proctored Examination (per exam) - $100

Textbooks - $1200

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Combine hands-on learning with academic tradition to prepare for a future in law enforcement.

The School of Education & Social Services offers several competitive, quality graduate degree programs, and the online M.S. in criminal justice with a forensic science specialization is no exception.

Through up-to-date, hands-on instruction, you will gain the practitioner's experience to assist with criminal justice agency operations during incidents in which forensic science is a factor.

Saint Leo University's criminal justice program director, Dr. Robert J. Diemer, has nearly 30 years of varied investigative experience, and is known across Florida and, increasingly, among national law enforcement at local, state, and federal agency levels. Dr. Diemer has served as a Deputy Sheriff, State Coordinator for the Florida Sheriff’s Association Statewide Task Force, and Chief of Investigations for the Florida Department of Environmental Protections Division of Law Enforcement. Dr. Diemer was also responsible for managing and coordinating the operations of the Florida Department of Environmental
Protections Environmental Terrorism Response Team.

Forensic science specialization courses explore:

The history of forensic science and criminalistics
Recognition, protection, documentation and collection of physical evidence
Laboratory analysis of physical evidence
Courtroom acceptance of new forensic technologies
Forensic and medicolegal death investigation
Crime scene investigation and management

You will also achieve a broad background in the field through general M.S. in criminal justice courses including those that address:

Ethical and legal issues in criminal justice administration
Public policy-making, evaluation and implementation
Leadership, management and supervision
Offender treatment methodology
Human resources issues and innovations
Hostage negations
Terrorism
Information resource systems and technologies
Fiscal resource management for short and long-term planning
Personnel law
Major trends and conditions in the future of criminal justice

One of the leading military colleges in the United States, Saint Leo University has been educating criminal justice professionals for more than three decades. In the Catholic spirit, we base our criminal justice model on a steadfast moral consciousness that recognizes the dignity, value, and gifts of all people.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor's and/or master's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale.

If your Bachelor’s degree in under a 3.0 cumulative GPA please complete an essay of 500 words at minimum outlining your professional goals.

International applicants
-----------------------------------

For non-native English speaking students ,provide proof of English language proficiency, demonstrated in at least one of the following ways:

- A minimum score 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

- A minimum score of 450 on the verbal component of the SAT

- Grades of B or higher in English composition courses where English is the language of instruction

- For transfer students, two semesters with grades of B or higher in English composition courses at regionally accredited post-secondary institutions in the United States

- Successful completion of an Association of International Educators-recognized ESL program

Other Fees

Books - $1,200

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Digital forensics, also known as computer forensics, is the acquisition, discovery, collection, analysis, and reporting of evidence found on computers and networks. Anti-cybercrime professionals work with these devices, as well as routers, servers, and the Internet to analyze increasingly complex digital crime scenes. More and more, digital evidence is used for civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings, so the evidence must be obtained and used in a way that ensures the admissibility in a court of law. Digital Forensics is a young and growing field. Graduates will be entering a market where opportunities are expanding and companies are looking for the brightest in a new tech revolution.

Computer Forensics is a young and growing field. Graduates will be entering a market where opportunities are expanding and companies are looking for the brightest in a new tech revolution.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Digital Forensics are able to:

- Demonstrate communication skills through the organization of a project or presentation including documentation understandable to users (e.g., requirements specification, risk management plan, assumptions, constraints).

- Articulate the key technical issues in conducting an investigation in a digital crime scene environment.

- Discuss and utilize e-evidence collection and preservation methods.

- Analyze common network attacks and evaluate various countermeasures to defend against them.

- Integrate business and technology skills in a sector context.

- Apply project management methodology in order to design and develop information technology projects.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have completed high school from an accredited institution.

Other Fees

Books and supplies: $5,000

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MSc Top-up This programme allows forensic practitioners who are holders of the Forensic Science Society Diploma to study for an MSc.

From 2010 the Forensic Science Society Diploma was credit rated at 120 credits at postgraduate level. This has allowed the university to offer a “top-up” of the diploma to masters level on the successful completion of a project in either Crime Scene Investigation, Fire Investigation, Firearm Examination and Questioned Documents.

The MSc courses in Fire Investigation require the student to carry out a major independent research project in fire investigation.
The project can be undertaken in the student’s own laboratories or at the University.
The exact subject of the project is agreed by negotiation with the member of staff who will act as the academic supervisor for the project.
Support for the course is provided by Blackboard which gives details of risk assessments and ethical considerations which have to be in place before the commencement of the project.

Entry Requirements

The Forensic Science Society Diploma in the appropriate subject awarded from 2010 onwards. Admission may be possible for those who received their diploma before 2010 by accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL). Contact Dr Platt to discuss APEL.

Other Fees

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