Master of Science in Forensic Pattern Analysis

Graduate ready and prepared to make a difference. Loyola University Maryland’s Master of Science in Forensic Pattern Analysis prepares students for entry into the in–demand—and growing—field of forensic science as latent print examiners, firearms/toolmarks examiners, crime scene investigators, and numerous related fields.

Graduate with the advantage of having already received the course and lab work required by many private, local, state, and federal organizations. Traditional forensic science programs offer only a few courses in the comparative sciences, requiring graduates to take extensive and expensive additional training to be case-ready as latent prints examiners and related disciplines. What makes Loyola’s program unique is an emphasis on comparative sciences, especially latent prints.

Loyola’s curriculum has been developed in consultation with forensic practitioners at several local, state, and federal agencies. Our graduates are poised for competitive internships and job placement in one of the top regions in the country for forensics work. In fact, the Baltimore–Washington, D.C., metro area is among the fastest-growing hubs for biotechnology and biohealth, forensic psychology and counseling, criminal investigation and justice, and counterterrorism.

Innovative Partnership with Evidence IQ

Loyola's Master of Science in Forensic Pattern Analysis program has recently partnered with Evidence IQ, a leading provider of cutting-edge law enforcement and forensic analysis solutions. Through this groundbreaking collaboration, students have access to Evidence IQ's powerful Ballistics IQ (BIQ) solution to gain unique training in the intricate art of pattern matching. Learn more about this new partnership!

Prerequisites

A student is expected to have completed a college-level introductory science course, with a grade of a  "C" or higher, prior to acceptance into the program. Students without an appropriate science background may satisfy the prerequisite by taking FO 101 Introduction to Forensic Science (undergraduate), or an approved introductory science course at another institution. Review all admission requirements.

Career Outcomes and Opportunities

There is a growing need for positions in the forensic sciences. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs in the category of forensic science to be the fastest growing in terms of total jobs from now until 2024 and forensic science technician positions are slated to grow “much faster than average,” gaining over 2,400 positions by 2028. Employers seek graduates who not only have knowledge in and understanding of the field, but who can apply their breadth of understanding, interdisciplinary approaches, critical understanding, ability to work as a member of a team, excellent communication, and deductive reasoning to their work. These are the very skills Forensic Pattern Analysis students acquire through the classroom, extra- and cocurricular involvement, and internships and job experience.

Below are just some of the industries and careers that you will be qualified to pursue upon successful completion of the program.

Possible Careers

 

Contact Us

We hope that you will explore our program. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Graduate Admissions
graduate@loyola.edu
410-617-5020

Theresa Allen
Director of Program Operations
Forensic Science Graduate Programs
teallen@loyola.edu
410-617-2642

Jonathan Fried
Graduate Director
M.S. Forensic Pattern Analysis
jfried@loyola.edu
410-617-2269

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