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.

Program Requirements beginning Fall 2024

Current Program Requirements

The degree consists of 41-46 graduate credit hours. Requirements for the major and an example of a typical program of courses are as follows:

Required courses:		32 credits
FO 500 FO 530 FO 610 FO 630    FO 650 FO 675 FO 700 FO 710  FO 780 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 Pattern Evidence Recognition & Statistical Methods Forensic Pattern Analysis Internship or Research or  Independent Study* Technical Writing or Professional Writing	1 cr. (3 cr. total) 3 credits 4 credits 3 credits 4 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 4 credits 4 credits
Elective Courses: choose three (3) courses from the below list		9-14 credits
FO 600 FO 651 FO 656 FO 657  FO 677 FO 685 FO 690 FO 695 FO 700 FO 715 FO 750 FO 752 FO 773 FO 781 FO 785 GB 705 PL 611 ST 681	Crime Scene Investigation Forensic Entomology w/lab Biological Forensics Biological Forensics Lab Death Investigation Intro to Firearms & Toolmarks Analysis Topics in Forensic Science# Crime Scene & Evidence Photography Statistics in Forensic Science Forensic Anthropology Forensic Cognitive Psychology 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	4 credits 5 credits 3 credits 2 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 41-46 credits

+FO 500 A minimum of three 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.

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