Overview

In fact, we can offer you many benefits through this degree program. We're one of 16 programs in the U.S. accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission. Not only that, but our program's supported by both the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences' Birmingham lab and the Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office, as well as local private institutions in the forensic science business. We're also home to the editorial office for our industry's only review journal, Forensic Science Review.

As you take advantage of all these resources, you'll take classes in chemical instrumental analysis, biochemistry, quantitative analysis, and other subjects. Then, your faculty advisor will work with you to choose a curriculum that meets your goals. Plan I (thesis option) requires that you complete 42 credit hours plus a thesis, and it's recommended if you plan to pursue a doctorate. Plan II (non-thesis option) requires that you complete 39 hours.

Fast Facts:

Careers in Forensic Science usually require extensive background checks similar to those required for law enforcement personnel, and are likely a condition of employment (National Institute of Justice).

The Master of Science in Forensic Science program from The University of Alabama at Birmingham is one of only 16 programs in the US accredited by FEPAC, the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission. Our program prepares students for careers in various forensic science and conventional analytical laboratories, emphasizing the application of scientific methods and technologies to legal proceedings. It may also be used to build a strong foundation for doctoral and professional studies and offers the opportunity for students to pursue a graduate certificate in computer forensics that involves additional, elective coursework.

Programme Structure

Courses:

Writing Successfully
Forensic Toxicology
Elements of Forensic Science
Conventional Criminalistics
Forensic Drug Analysis
Molecular Biology in Forensic Science
Law Evidence and Procedure

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-05-11 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-01 00:00:00
Starting 2026-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-01-12 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

More details

Late applications will be accepted until April 30th; however, once the maximum expected enrollment is reached, late applications may not be considered.

Language

English

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

40 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Birmingham, United States

Disciplines

Forensic Science View 99 other Masters in Forensic Science in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Minimum admission requirements are as follows:

bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry or biology from an accredited institution
B.S. degree in forensics should come from a FEPAC-accredited program
chemistry-related degree is acceptable if it includes instrumental and quantitative chemistry courses
biology-related degree is acceptable if it includes biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology courses
overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, based on a 4.0 system, or a 3.2 GPA for the last 60 semester hours in a BA/BS program
3.0 GPA in all previous graduate coursework
minimum recommended GRE score of 300 (combined) on the verbal and quantitative sections of the test
students are recommended to have completed at least two of the following courses (earning a minimum grade of B in each course): quantitative chemistry (wet analytical chemistry), instrumental chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and statistics

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

51920 USD / year

≈ 51920 USD / year
Out-of-State

48440 USD / year

≈ 48440 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

19760 USD / year

≈ 19760 USD / year

Living costs

Birmingham

United States

1019 - 1648 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Forensic Science.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Fast Facts:

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Birmingham

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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