Admission

An applicant pursuing the MS in forensic science degree must meet the following general admission requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in forensic science, a natural science field of study, or criminal justice from a regionally accredited institution or a foreign university with substantially equivalent bachelor's degree requirements. If the bachelor’s degree is in criminal justice, WSU reserves the right to evaluate individual coursework or other experience to ensure that the applicant has sufficient scientific background to be able to successfully complete the MS degree.
• A 3.000 GPA or higher in the applicant’s undergraduate work.
• Three letters of recommendation, preferably from professors and/or supervisors familiar with the applicant’s academic/technical ability, work ethic and skills.
• Statement of purpose describing the applicant’s career goals and how the MS degree will help support those goals.
• Resume/CV/providing a description of experience or qualifications in support of the applicant’s admission.

In addition to the general requirements, an applicant must also meet any additional track-specific requirements identified below.

Admission Criteria Specific to the Traditional Track

An applicant pursuing the traditional track of the MS in forensic firearms degree will be required to complete all 30 credit hours of coursework at Wichita State University.

Admission Criteria Specific to the Trainee Track

An applicant pursuing the trainee track of the MS in forensic firearms degree will be required to complete 18 credit hours of coursework at Wichita State University and to participate in a nationally recognized training program in the field of firearms forensics for an additional 12 Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) credit hours, for a grand total of 30 credit hours. To qualify for the trainee track, the applicant must be employed full-time in an established firearms section within a federal, state or local law enforcement agency and be working underneath the guidance of an experienced firearm and toolmark examiner.

Admission Criteria Specific to the Firearms Examiner Track

An applicant pursuing the firearms examiner track of the MS in forensic firearms degree will be required to complete 18 credit hours of coursework at Wichita State University and to have previously completed a nationally recognized training program in the field of firearms forensics for an additional 12 Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) credit hours, for a grand total of 30 credit hours. To qualify for the firearms examiner track, the applicant must have completed the nationally recognized training program in an established firearms section within a federal, state or local law enforcement agency.

Program Requirements

Traditional Track

Requires that all 30 credit hours below be completed. 

Trainee Track

Curriculum for the trainee track consists of two components: 1) coursework at WSU, and 2) participation in a nationally recognized training program for CPL credit hours. The order in which a student completes the two components will depend upon scheduling of courses and the ability for participating in a nationally recognized training program.

Training Program Component: Within the trainee track, an applicant will also participate in a nationally recognized training program in the field of forensic firearms. Upon completion of the training program, the applicant will receive 12 Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) credit hours. An individual within the trainee track cannot complete the MS degree until after completion of the training program and WSU awarding the CPL credit hours.

CPL credit hours will be awarded for the following courses: FS 740, FS 742, FS 744 and FS 746.

Firearms Examiner Track

Curriculum for the firearms examiner track consists of 18 credit hours of coursework at WSU and 12 CPL credit hours awarded for previous participation in a nationally recognized training program.

CPL credit hours will be awarded for the following courses: FS 740, FS 742, FS 744 and FS 746.

Curriculum

Applied Learning 

Students in the Master of Science in forensic firearms are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate from the program. The requirement can be met by completing the following courses:

• FS 740 Introduction to Firearms and Toolmark Examinations,
• FS 744 Modern Firearms: Manufacture and Operating Systems,
• FS 746 Advanced Analysis of Firearms and Toolmark Examination I,
• FS 747 Advanced Analysis of Firearms and Toolmarks Examination II,
• FS 748 Court Testimony for Firearms and Toolmark Examiners and Research Project, and
• FS 749 Forensic Validation and Laboratory Techniques.