Description
The Master of Science in Forensic Studies is designed for students who have interests that overlap the Master of Science in Investigation and either the Master of Science in Forensic Accounting or the Master of Science in Digital Forensics. This program enables students who are interested in careers that have general knowledge of accounting or of digital forensics to combine that interest with investigations and take course in both areas. This program may be appropriate for investigators who need a general understanding of accounting or digital forensics that might fall under their areas of responsibility.
Objectives
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Forensic Studies, graduates will be able to achieve the objectives of the Master of Science in Forensic Investigation in combination with at least one or more of the objectives from the Master of Science in Digital Forensics or the Master of Science in Forensic Accounting depending upon which of the two disciplines the student selects.
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Forensic Studies, graduates will be able to:
- Evaluate the merits of an allegation and prepare an investigative plan, if warranted.
- Conduct effective interviews and interrogations.
- Evaluate documentary and testimonial evidence.
- Synthesize analyses of facts and law into coherent, defensible conclusions.
- Communicate findings, analysis, conclusions and recommendations effectively, both orally and in writing.
AND
Program Outcomes of the Master of Science in Digital Forensics:
- Collect, handle and preserve digital evidence.
- Design a comprehensive methodology to cover the acquisition, preservation and analysis of various forms of digital evidence.
- Analyze and interpret file systems data, operative system data and application data.
- Synthesize analyses of facts and law into coherent, defensible conclusions.
- Communicate findings, analysis, conclusions and recommendations effectively, both orally and in writing.
OR
Program Outcomes of the Master of Science in Forensic Accounting:
- Examine financial statements for false and/or misleading statements.
- Assess fraud risk and adequacy of internal control structures.
- Evaluate financial evidence.
- Synthesize analyses of facts and law into coherent, defensible conclusions.
- Communicate findings, analysis, conclusions and recommendations effectively, both orally and in writing.
Policies
The grade of "C" is the lowest acceptable grade, and only one can be awarded during the program. A student may repeat one course in a graduate program one time. Once a student has repeated a course, the student will not be permitted to repeat any other courses. If a student repeats a course, only the latter grade is used in computing the grade point average. However, all courses taken become a part of the student's academic record. Further, a student may withdraw from each graduate course one time only. A minimum cumulative 3.00 grade point average on all graduate work attempted is required for graduation. Only one grade of "C" may be applied toward the GPA requirement. Degree requirements must be completed within seven years after the first course applied to the degree was completed.
Students are required to take and successfully complete FSCOR 601, Criminal Justice; FSCOR 604, Evidence; and FSCOR 606, Forensic Journal Research and Review, before enrolling in other courses.
Requirements
Required Courses
| FSCOR 601 | Foundations of Justice | 3 credits |
| FSCOR 603 | Litigation Theory and Practice | 3 credits |
| FSCOR 606 | Forensic Research and Writing | 3 credits |
| FSCOR 720 | Forensic Studies Capstone | 3 credits |
| FSINV 600 | Investigative Techniques/Interviewing | 3 credits |
| FSINV 605 | Investigative Techniques/Physical Evidence | 3 credits |
| FSCI or FS Elective | Forensic Science or Forensic Studies Elective | 3 credits |
Digital Forensics - Program Completion
| FSIS | Two Digital Forensics Electives | 6 credits |
| FSIS/FSAAC | Three Digital Forensics or Forensic Accounting Electives | 9 credits |
Forensic Accounting - Program Completion
| FSAAC | Two Forensic Accounting Electives | 6 credits |
| FSIS/FSAAC | Three Digital Forensics or Forensic Accounting Electives | 9 credits |
Course Descriptions
See Forensic Studies Course Descriptions