This program is not available to new students for the 2020–2021 academic year. Please e-mail edpublicservicedept@umgc.edu for information about the current status of the program.
For reference, the program requirements outlined below are for students who enrolled in the 2019–2020 academic year. Prior year academic requirements are available in our catalog archive.
A key element within the field of criminal investigation today is the work of forensics specialists—the people who gather, process, and report on evidence from crime scenes—in discovering the facts of a case. The role of investigative forensics is also expanding within the field of civil justice. University of Maryland Global Campus's Bachelor of Science in investigative forensics is based on national guidelines and designed to help you understand both the theory and practice of forensic disciplines and police work.
This program has a related minor.
About the Investigative Forensics Bachelor's Degree
What You'll Learn
Through your coursework, you will learn how to
- Apply the scientific method to draw conclusions regarding forensic information
- Use ethical principles and an understanding of legal precedents to make decisions related to investigation, analysis, and testimony as a crime scene or forensic professional
- Access, interpret, and apply investigative, forensic, and criminal justice research
- Report and articulate information, analyses, or findings to relevant users
- Recognize and evaluate evidence to determine all of the appropriate analyses to gather all available forensic information
- Synthesize forensic, evidential, and investigatory information from multiple sources to generate theories about a crime
- Understand the capabilities, processes, and limitations of the crime laboratory to become an informed consumer or practitioner
Coursework Examples
In past projects, students have had the opportunity to
- Examine evidence via virtual labs, take notes, and write reports based on the examinations
- Investigate a virtual crime scene, gather evidence, request lab testing, and use the results to write an official report and reconstruction
- Examine a virtual cold case to locate and interview suspects, re-examine evidence, determine the viability of the case, and write a report based on findings
Investigative Forensics Bachelor's Degree Requirements
Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.
Courses in the Major
Total Credits Required: 120
- Required Major Courses: 32
- Minor and Elective Courses: 47
- General Education Courses: 41
Required Major Courses
- CCJS 101
- CCJS 234
- CCJS 301
- CCJS 302
- CCJS 342
- CCJS 390
- CCJS 420
- CCJS 421
- CCJS 440
- CCJS 441
Related Required Courses
The following may be applied to general education or elective requirements:
- STAT 200
- CCJS 461
General Education Requirements
UMGC outlines the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework for bachelor's degrees on the General Education Requirements webpage.
In addition to the major, elective, and general education courses and requirements outlined on this page, please review the overall bachelor's degree requirements.
Career Preparation
This program is designed to help prepare you for work in crime scene investigation for a career in civil or criminal justice.
Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
We recommend you have computer skills and familiarity with lab work and laboratory procedures, such as preparing samples, operating specialized equipment, and using microscopes.
About the Faculty
Our world-class faculty members combine academic credentials with a wealth of experience in the field.
Our faculty work or have worked at organizations including
- Delaware Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Crime Lab
- Howard County Police Department
- Maryland State Police Crime Lab
- Montana State Police Crime Lab
Featured Faculty

Susan Blankenship
Program Chair, Investigative Forensics, Public Safety Administration, and Homeland Security, and Collegiate Professor

Patrick Bradley
Vice Dean, Business and Professional Programs, and Collegiate Professor