Academic Achievement
Students in the Department of Forensic Science contribute to the knowledge base of forensic science and produce research directed at improving the practice of forensic science. Our students demonstrate the integration of knowledge, skills and abilities through independent research and scholarly inquiry.
An important measure of our student's achievement is their ability to publish and present original research in the field of forensic science.
View a printable pdf of forensic science publications.
Postgraduate Success
Our mission is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to prepare them for successful careers in forensic science. Our students go on to pursue rewarding careers in forensic science.
See how success unfolds at SHSU:
- Rigorous core curriculum with a multi discipline approach
- Flexibility to tailor the degree to specific needs and goals
- Faculty with real world experience
- State-of-the-art facilities located centrally on campus
- Access to scientific equipment found in crime labs
- Intensive hands-on graduate teaching laboratories
- Internship program with strong ties to accredited crime laboratories, offering a wide range of disciplines and geographical locations
- Independent research with experienced forensic science faculty
- Ability for students in the MSFS program to transfer credits into the PhD program upon completion of their 2nd year of coursework
- Employment success averaged 94% over the past ten years.
- In the past three years, postgraduate success averaged 94%.
- Majority of graduates accepted employment in DNA, Controlled Substances (Drugs), Toxicology, Chemistry and Trace.
- Almost 50% percent are employed in the public sector, working in government forensic laboratories at the federal, state, county, or city level.
- An increasing number of graduates pursue careers in the private sector (industry) or in research.
Enrollment & Employment
For many years, our MSFS graduates have been highly successful in acquiring productive and meaningful positions in laboratories across the United States and beyond within one year of graduation. The table below includes all students who entered our program and demonstrates student achievement from acceptance to graduation and then employment in 360 days post-graduation. Starting with the 2022-2024 cohort, employment success will be measured 180 days post-graduation.
Every year, employers are surveyed in order to ascertain whether or not our recent graduates meet the readiness standards required for their post-graduate positions. Although alumni respond to our requests for employment information, unfortunately, the employers themselves are sometimes unreacheable.
