FAQ

The Forensic Science Graduate Program admitted its first graduate student in 2002. The program was originally designed to provide a Master of Science degree platform for working forensic scientists. Over time, through our success and the success of our graduates, the program has evolved into a highly acclaimed forensic science institution.

Through an advanced curriculum and relevant professional training, graduates of the program enjoy tremendous employment opportunities throughout the United States and the world. Our alumni are positioned in every California Department of Justice laboratory in the state, and operate at every level in government laboratories across the nation.

For example, we have graduates working in the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory in Dover, Delaware, whose mission is to identify the human remains of United States military service members that have died while serving our country. One of our international graduates opened the first private DNA testing laboratory in Kenya and led the effort to establish a DNA database for major ethnic groups, two advancements that will help incorporate forensic science into the country's justice system.

Our graduates are using their forensic science education to find the truth, often in highly legally contested environments. To meet the needs of a demanding and rapidly evolving field, we are continually developing innovative educational platforms, resources, and opportunities to offer our students and our alumni. With dedication to promoting forensic education and training, we take pride in our students and their contributions to science and to society.

No, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for acceptance to the Forensic Science Graduate Program.

Degree requirement: A bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) in any natural or physical science is required for admission.

Course prerequisites requirement: Applicants must have completed the minimum equivalent of the following UC Davis courses:

Click here for course descriptions.

GPA requirement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 average in all courses.

Applicants lacking this preparation may be asked to make up deficiencies before consideration for admission.

The primary requirement for admission to any graduate program is evidence of academic achievement and promise. Your transcripts will be evaluated as part of your application to assure that your qualifications meet minimum standards as set by the UC Davis Graduate Council. Generally, you must have a minimum grade point average of B (3.0) in undergraduate coursework from an accredited college or university to be considered for admission. We also evaluate prerequisite course grades and generally expect a GPA of 3.0 or better in those courses.

While it is not mandatory to choose an area of specialization immediately, many students will find it helpful in drafting their statement of purpose and in choosing the right elective courses. We expect that by the end of the first year in the program, students will be working on a research project within their specialization of choice.

Applications for admission are accepted and reviewed once per year. Applications become available online in September and are due no later than February 1st in the following year. No application received after February 1st will be considered.

Completing a UC Davis Graduate Studies online application requires information about your undergraduate studies, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, TOEFL or IELTS scores (for applicants from countries whose official language is not English), and the application fee of $105 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents or $125 for all other applicants.

You must apply online.

The program requires the completion of 54 units. Tuition is $868 per unit.

Students enrolled in at least five (5) units per quarter may be eligible for federal financial aid and/or educational loans. Each category has different requirements and restrictions. For details on how to apply, please visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships website.

Students enrolled in less than five (5) units per quarter are not eligible for financial aid. Students enrolling in this program cannot use Cal Vet tuition/fee exemptions—this program is not supported with state funds and is not subject to the state law regarding Cal Vet tuition/fee exemptions.

For those interested in a position in a crime lab, the forensic science laboratories generally mandate a degree in one of the physical or natural sciences with anywhere from eight to 30 units of chemistry. For DNA analysis, students also need to have completed coursework in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology and statistics or population genetics. In California, most labs require a course in quantitative analysis (lower division) or equivalent.

The focus of our program is to develop graduates who will be working as forensic scientists or criminalists in a crime laboratory. Most laboratories respond only to major crime scenes such as homicides and officer-involved shootings. Some crime labs will not go to crime scenes. If you want to perform crime scene work, consider Evidence Technician or Crime Scene Technician positions in a law enforcement agency. These generally do not require a college degree, although a degree may be helpful.

We would suggest a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in one of the physical or natural sciences such as biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, biology, genetics, etc. This will provide good qualifications in order to be well prepared to work in the forensic sciences. To become a DNA analyst in a crime lab, besides having a science degree, national standards also require coursework in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and statistics or population genetics.

For the student who does not have a full-time professional position, we expect completion of the program in two years. For those who are working as a professional in a crime lab, we expect the degree to be completed within three years.

As approved by the Office of Graduate Studies for students enrolling in Fall of 2020 onwards, students need to enroll in the following number of units each quarter:

Full-time = 9 units or more per quarter

Part-time = 5 units or less per quarter

Please note that these unit levels may differ from those defined by other campus departments, such as the Financial Aid Office. Students in their final quarter are not required to enroll in any course units provided they have already completed their 54 course and research units for graduation, and apply for Filing Fee status.

International students are required to take 12 units per quarter, and will generally be expected to complete the program in two years or less. Contact the Program Director, Ashley Hall, for relevant information on visa issues. You may also have to meet the English language requirement for the graduate division, which sets the minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores.

This program is a self-supporting program that currently does not have any fellowships, but occasionally the program does have paid graduate student researcher (GSR) positions depending on the research grant status of the program and/or the members of the graduate group. Teaching assistant positions may also be available.

The program is interdisciplinary, so you may seek a research project in any area that interests you.  You will work with your Principal Investigator (Thesis Chair) to identify a research project.

No. To complete the degree, you must complete a research project and write a thesis.

Job opportunities in forensic science are available in many geographical areas. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences has a listing of available jobs. You should also check the human resource department websites of the cities and counties that have forensic science laboratories.