PSM Forensic Science at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Professional Science Master's program in forensic science prepares you for career advancement by providing you with in-depth and broad educational coverage in the forensic sciences and helps you develop new competencies related to laboratory supervision. This includes an understanding of how to work with regulatory bodies that provide the framework for oversight in forensic laboratories, consistent with the guiding principles of the National Professional Science Master's Association.

What you will study

30 credit hours - course-based master's Required Core (9 credit hours) FOR 525 Forensic Science and Governance (3) FOR 550 Ethics in Forensic Science (3) FOR 565 Laboratory Leadership, Policy and Practice (3) Other Requirement (18 credit hours) FOR 501 Forensic Toxicology (3) or FOR 598 Topic: Forensic Controlled Substance (3) FOR 540 Advanced Topics in Human Forensic DNA Typing (3) FOR 560 Quantitative Methods in Forensic Science Research (3) FOR 598 Topic: Forensic Firearms (3) FOR 598 Topic: Forensic Latent Prints (3) SIF 598 Topic: Legal Reasoning and Principles for Behavioral and Forensic Scientists (3) Restricted Electives (3 credit hours) CRJ 574 Executive Leadership Principles (3) FOR 502 Advanced Forensic Botany (3) FOR 503 Forensic Entomology (3) FOR 598 Topic: Forensic Crime Scene (3) PSY 546 Advanced Forensic Psychology (3) Additional Curriculum Information This master's degree is a course-based program.

Career pathways

The PSM program in forensic science provides leadership training in the field of forensic science to practicing professionals in science and forensic science, criminalistics and medical examiner offices; to office personnel; and to members of the law enforcement and legal communities.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in an appropriate physical, biological or computer science or related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts statement of purpose proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The statement of purpose should describe the applicant's educational background, scholarly interests, and academic and professional goals.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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