When are the classes offered?
Can I study on a full-time or part time basis?
What is the cost to attend?
What kind of field experience can I expect in the first year of study, before the internship?
Where are the internship sites? Can I design my own internship?
What kind of time commitment is required of the internship? Can I continue
working full time?
Is there a thesis required for graduation from the MS degree?
What is the prerequisite coursework?
What standardized test scores are required for admission?
Is there a GPA minimum requirement?
What is the deadline to apply for admission?
What term can I apply for?
Is an interview required?
Q: When are the classes offered?
The curriculum at PCOM is on a tri-semester basis Classes are offered one weekend per month, Friday thru Sunday from 8:00am to 4:00pm, for the first year (August-May). The second year is entirely online with the exclusion of the Capstone Project.
Q: Can I study on a full-time or part time basis?
Forensic medicine students take 3 credits per 14 week term and are therefore considered half-time students only. Half-time students do qualify to apply for financial assistance, however.
Q: What is the cost to attend?
For the 2011-2012 academic year, Forensic Medicine candidates are paying $738 per credit. The MS degree program is 40 credits. The Pathway program is an additional 3 credits added to the MS degree, if needed.
Q: What kind of field experience can I expect in the first year of study, before the internship?
Students taking the course courses of Forensic Medicine I & II will have ample practice labs and in class instruction. Hand-on labs are conducted in the following: Fingerprinting, Blood-spatter, Mock-Crime Scene, Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Entomology, Ballistics, Firearms, and Clandestine Graves.
Q: Where are the internship sites? Can I design my own internship?
We have local agencies that have participated in our internship course; however, we strongly advise students to tailor their internship to their future goals. Yes, students can design their own internship with faculty approval.
Q: What kind of time commitment is required of the internship? Can I continue working full time?
The internship is a minimum of 112 hours. Yes, most of are students continue their full-time careers during this time period.
Q: Is there a thesis required for graduation from the MS degree?
The M.S. degree is a non-thesis track Masters degree.
Q: What is the prerequisite coursework?
Candidates applying for admission to the master's degree program need to have completed a bachelor's degree AS WELL AS 8 credits in General Biology, 8 credits in Inorganic Chemistry and 8 credits in Anatomy and Physiology in order to enroll. It is acceptable to have any of those courses "in progress" so long as an acceptable grade and degree is earned prior to the start of classes in August. Candidates with a bachelor's degree lacking a science background can apply for admission through the Pathway Program. This 14 week summer program is a Pass/Fail course that, if passed, leads to an automatic admission to the MS program which begins in August.
Q: What standardized test scores are required for admission?
Standardized test scores are not required in the admissions process for any of the Forensic Medicine programs.
Q: Is there a GPA minimum requirement?
Yes. All candidates must have a 3.0 or higher in order to gain admission. Exceptions can be made on an individual basis and average GPAs of admitted candidates vary. However, the average GPA for those admitted in 2008-2009 was 3.17.
Q: What is the deadline to apply for admission?
Admissions works on a rolling basis, it is strongly encouraged that candidates for admission submit their completed applications EARLY. Classes typically fill a few months prior to the start of classes.
Q: What term can I apply for?
MS candidates will begin their studies in the fall term (mid-August start). Pathway candidates enter in the summer term (early May start).
Q: Is an interview required?
Interviews are indeed a part of the admissions process for all Forensic Medicine programs.
