COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Forensic Technology at University of New Haven requires completion of 42 graduate credits and provides advanced education in forensic science, crime scene investigation, evidence analysis, forensic technology, and legal procedures. The 36-credit core curriculum combines scientific theory, laboratory practice, investigative methods, and courtroom applications to prepare students for professional careers in forensic and investigative sciences. Students begin with Principles of Forensic Science I and II, which introduce the scientific foundations of forensic analysis and evidence examination. Advanced Forensic Scene Investigation I develops practical crime scene processing skills, while Forensic Photography focuses on professional documentation techniques essential for evidence preservation and courtroom presentation. Courses such as Crime Scene Reconstruction and Physical Analysis in Forensic Science emphasize analytical reasoning, interpretation of physical evidence, and the scientific reconstruction of criminal events. Students also study Medicolegal Investigation and Identification, which explores death investigations and human identification procedures, along with Forensic Field Technology and its associated laboratory course, which train students in modern forensic instrumentation, portable technologies, and forensic database applications used in field investigations. To strengthen legal and professional competencies, students complete either Law and Evidence or Criminal Procedure, as well as Forensic Expert Testimony, which prepares them to communicate forensic findings effectively in legal settings. The capstone requirement is fulfilled through either a Forensic Science Research Project or a Forensic Science Internship, allowing students to gain research experience or hands-on professional training in forensic environments. Students further specialize by selecting restricted electives in areas such as wildlife forensics, forensic archaeology, forensic anthropology, firearm evidence analysis, bloodstain pattern analysis, and independent forensic research topics. The curriculum emphasizes scientific accuracy, ethical standards, investigative procedures, and expert communication, enabling graduates to identify, analyze, and interpret forensic evidence using advanced technologies and methodologies. Graduates are prepared for careers in crime scene investigation units, forensic laboratories, law enforcement agencies, medicolegal offices, private forensic consulting, and government investigative organizations, while also gaining a strong foundation for advanced forensic certifications and further graduate or doctoral study.