Accelerated BSFS to MSFS Program

Please see the Graduate College’s Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program webpage and official Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program Policy for information pertaining to all Accelerated Programs.

Admissions Requirements

Students interested in pursuing the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science (BSFS) to Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS) must complete the following application requirements:  

1.      By the start of Accelerated status, they must have either:

- 75 credit hours earned and an overall BGSU GPA of at least 3.2[1], or

- 90 credit hours earned and an overall BGSU GPA of at least 3.0;

2.      A completed Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program Application;

3.      Official transcripts from all universities attended;

4.      At least one letter of recommendation from a full-time BGSU faculty member, preferably from graduate faculty within the student’s major or targeted graduate program.

5.     Completion of any other program-specific graduate application requirements.  

• Letter of recommendation mentioned in above #4 should come from a member of BGSU with personal knowledge of student who is NOT a faculty/staff from the forensic science program.
• Have completed CHEM 1770;
• Have completed BIOL 2040;
• Have completed BIOL 2050;
• Have completed CHEM 1230 or CHEM 1350;
• Have completed CHEM 1270 or 1370;
• Have completed CHEM 2010;
• Have completed CHEM 3410;
• Have completed CHEM 3440;
• Grades earned in the above courses will be reviewed as part of the application process
• Have completed either:
  • FSCI 4300 (if forensic chemistry/drug analysis specialization student) or
  • FSCI 4230 (if forensic biology/DNA analysis or forensic examination student)
  • and earned a B or better.
• Personal statement that addresses these topics: research interest (e.g. chemistry versus biology), expectations, future career goals, and any relevant background experience.  The statement should indicate how the MSFS program at BGSU can aid the student in obtaining future goals. Where appropriate, this statement should provide information on educational experiences, research background, specialized training, or other matters which make the candidate suitable for admission.
• Provide a scientific writing sample (e.g. laboratory report, case study, research paper, published journal article, undergraduate honors thesis, etc.);
• Provide a resume
• Deadline to complete application: February 1st 11:59 pm to take accelerated courses the following fall semester
• Note, the MSFS program may require more information from applicants that could require an interview.
• Please note, to be eligible for the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program in Forensic Science, students must NOT have taken or previously received credit in as part of the BSFS program:
  • FSCI 4400
  • CHEM 4450
  • CHEM 3080
  • CRJU 4510
  • CRJU 4400

Students will then be evaluated by Forensic Science Program faculty. If accepted, students be granted Undergraduate Accelerated Status.

Accelerated BSFS to MSFS Program Plan  

Students enrolled in the Accelerated BSFS to MSFS should observe the following course schedule for planning out graduate work that begins while still enrolled as an undergraduate student, followed by the courses taken when fully enrolled as a graduate student in the MSFS program.  This program requires you to complete a Plan I Thesis Research Project (FSCI 6990). 

Undergraduate Accelerated Status (limited to 9 credits maximum)

Courses that must be taken while an undergraduate student with Undergraduate Accelerated Status that will overlap between the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees:

FSCI 5400

CHEM 5450

Note, students who successfully completed their Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science degree at BGSU prior to receiving Graduate Accelerated Status will not be able to register for cross-listed courses at the graduate level that were previously completed at the undergraduate level (e.g. FSCI 4230/5230 or FSCI 4300/5300). Affected students will be granted a course substitution for CHEM 5450, approved by the Graduate Coordinator.

Note, in completing the Forensic Science Accelerated program, students earn six (6) overlapping credits that count toward the MSFS degree.

Accelerated MSFS students should complete FSCI 4700 as their culminating experience course because it can be used as preparation for eventual thesis research.