Skip to main content

Take advantage of having one of four courses paid for while earning your Online Graduate Certificate. That's a 25% savings off the total cost of your certificate!

Enter to win a one-course scholarships* (valued up to $2,520).

Submit Your Entry

Cellphone taken as evidence

Degree & Certificate Programs

Online Graduate Certificate in Investigative Forensics, Certificate

Overview

The DeSales Graduate Certificate Program in Investigative Forensics offers a cutting-edge curriculum, nationally recognized educators, and accelerated, flexible class schedules.

The scientific investigation of crime has become front-page news. This applies to any investigative activity, from police work to forensic nursing to corporate crime.

Increasingly, agencies and employers seek qualified individuals who have gained knowledge of forensic science and current investigative techniques, as well as hands-on experience with forensic practices.

Today's investigations require competence with state-of-the-art methods. This certificate provides an academic foundation while exposing you to the practical application of industry-accepted forensic tools and methods.

The graduate certificate is ideal for those who do not want to pursue a full graduate degree, yet who seek graduate-level knowledge and certification.

All courses are delivered online and cover a variety of topics, including death investigation, crime scene investigation, behavioral criminology, and forensic anthropology.

What’s Different About DeSales?
  • Our faculty are nationally-recognized professionals in the field. You’ll be taught by professionally active advanced practice faculty who connect textbook theory with real-world application of tools, processes, and methodologies.
  • All criminal justice professionals receive a 20% tuition discount. This discount applies to all DeSales MCJ graduate and certificate programs.
  • The flexibility of online. Our online format allows you to continue your professional work while obtaining the skills needed to advance your career.

Admissions Requirements

Admissions to the MCJ program are on a rolling basis, with no standardized exam requirements.

Requirements for admission into the Criminal Justice Graduate Certificate Program are: 

  • A bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies (Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges) or its equivalent from a foreign institution.
  • Background or interest in the field of criminal justice.
  • Evidence of potential for graduate work: A personal statement that will serve as a demonstration of your ability to write at the graduate level. It should include your personal and professional goals, as well as how the Digital Forensics Certificate from DeSales University can assist you in achieving them.
  • Resume Required

Apply Now

Start Dates: See Academic Calendar

Application Information
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Standardized Exam Required: No
  • Official Transcripts Required:Yes
  • Personal Statement Required: Yes
  • Resume Required: Yes
  • International Students:
    • English Competency Exam Required: TOEFL
    • Transcript Evaluation Required: Yes
    • Certificate of Finances Required: Yes

Curriculum

Earn a graduate certificate in 4 courses.

Required Courses (12 credits) from the following:

  • CJ 510 Forensic Science and the Courtroom
  • CJ 516 Forensic Psychology
  • CJ 532 Advanced Crime Scene Investigation
  • CJ 533 Behavioral Criminology
  • CJ 535 Medicolegal Death Investigation
  • CJ 544 Forensic Anthropology

Academic Catalog

Tuition & Fees

Program Costs  

  • Tuition/credit hour: $850*
  • Graduation Fee: $120

*Tuition/credit hours listed are for 2024/2025 academic year. Tuition and fees are reviewed each academic year and are subject to change with notice.

Total cost of the Master's Degree program = $25,500

Total cost of the Graduate Certificate Programs = $10,200

  • Returned Check Service: $30
  • Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) fee – 30% of course tuition charge

Note: Tuition and fees are reviewed each academic year and are subject to change with notice.

View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and graduate program information sheets

More information

DeSales University is proud to offer actively employed criminal justice professionals a 20% tuition discount for this Master's level Criminal Justice program.*

This discount covers tuition only, and is not applicable towards textbooks or other fees.

Laptop

Online Learning at DeSales

Attending classes from an off-campus location can be an excellent option for many busy students. Distance education at DeSales encompasses everything from video conference courses to hybrid (a combination of in-class and online) to online courses. 


Brightspace by D2LTM is our online learning system.

Learn About Online Learning at DeSales

Contact Us

Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
Brisson Hall 205

 

Enter to win one of DeSales University's One-Course Scholarships!

Are you interested in our Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security or Digital Forensics?  Enter our raffle for the chance to win a free course (valued at up to $2,595).

 

Which program are you interested in? (select all that apply)
* The One-Course Scholarship is estimated at a value of up to $2,520 based on current course costs. Actual scholarship value is subject to change. Scholarship is only applicable toward tuition fees. Scholarship is only applicable to courses offered in Fall 2019 and Winter 2020 sessions. Applicant is required to meet all admissions standards to qualify for Scholarship. Cannot be combined with other discounts.