M.S. Forensic Pattern Analysis Academics

Forensic Pattern Analysis encompasses a range of academic disciplines that apply the knowledge, techniques, and technology to the investigation of crime and the courts of law, and the curriculum encompasses six departments of academic focus, providing both breadth and depth in education and training.

Students engage with subjects ranging from philosophy to biology and take courses such as introductory and advanced topics in fingerprints, mock trial, forensic entomology, quality control and assurance, writing, and ethics. Traditionally, graduate forensic science programs focus heavily on preparation for students for careers in forensic biology, toxicology, and crime scene investigation. What makes Loyola’s program unique is an emphasis on comparative sciences, especially latent prints.

Current Program Requirements

The degree consists of 39-42 graduate credit hours. Requirements for the major and an example of a typical program of courses are as follows:

Required courses:		30 credits
FO 500 FO 530 FO 610 FO 630  FO 650 FO 675 FO 700 FO 710  FO 790 or FO 791 or FO 792  WR 626 or WR 625	Forensic Studies Seminar Series+ Criminalistics Fingerprints Biological and Forensic Science Laboratory Quality Control and Assurance Forensic Pattern Evidence Mock Trial for Forensic Pattern Evidence Statistics in Forensic Science Advanced Topics and Techniques in Fingerprints Forensic Pattern Analysis Internship or Research or Independent Study* Technical Writing or Professional Writing	1 cr. (2 cr. total) 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 4 credits 3 credits 3 credits
Elective Courses: choose three (3) courses from the below list		9-12 credits
FO 584 FO 600 FO 651 FO 656 FO 657  FO 676 FO 677 FO 685 FO 690 FO 695 FO 706 FO 715 FO 731 FO 752 FO 773 FO 781 FO 785 GB 705 PL 611 ST 681	Forensic Chemistry Crime Scene Investigation Forensic Entomology w/lab Biological Forensics Biological Forensics Lab Digital & Forensic Imaging  Death Investigation Intro to Firearms & Toolmarks Analysis Topics in Forensic Science# Crime Scene & Evidence Photography Investigations Into Violent Crimes Forensic Anthropology Forensic Science Management Forensic Science Errors & Wrongful Convictions Special Topics in Forensic Biology# Cold Case Investigation Advanced Firearms & Toolmarks Analysis Leading and Managing People Bioethics Probability and Statistics	3 credits 4 credits 4 credits 3 credits 1 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 4 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits
		Total 39-42 credits

+FO 500 A minimum of two seminars are required. 
#FO 690 and FO 773 May be repeated once for credit.
*FO 790 / FO 791 / FO 792 can be fulfilled by an internship, research, or an independent study approved by the graduate program director, and may be repeated for credit, with approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Proposed Course Sequence

First Year

Fall Term

• FO 500 Forensic Science Seminar
• FO 610 Fingerprints
• FO 530 Criminalistics
• FO 700 Statistics or
• WR 625 Writing

Spring Term

• FO 500 Forensic Science Seminar
• FO 710 Advanced Topics/Techniques in Fingerprints
• FO 630 Biological & Forensic Science Lab. Quality Assurance
• WR 626 Writing or
• Elective

Fall Term

• FO 675 Mock Trial for Forensic Pattern Evidence
• FO 700 Statistics or
• Elective
• FO 79* Capstone or
• Elective

Spring

• FO 650 Forensic Pattern Evidence
• Elective
• FO 79* Capstone or
• Elective