A public institution, the University at Albany was founded in 1844 and is one of several campuses of the State University of New York. The university's 795-acre campus in New York's state capital serves as home to more than 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The college received the 143rd-place ranking among all universities in the United States from the Best Colleges 2011 rankings from U.S. News & World Report.
The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic chemistry. The New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center helped the college develop the curriculum. Students in the program complete advanced-level scientific coursework in subjects like quantitative and instrumental analysis. Internships with local crime labs are available for undergraduates. Also offered is a Master of Science degree program in forensic chemistry.
Approximately 60 percent of all undergraduate students at the University at Albany receive some type of financial aid, according to the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." New York residents receive tuition discounts.
Founded in 1890, Oklahoma State University has an 840-acre campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma, a community 65 miles north of Oklahoma City. Home to more than 22,800 undergraduate and graduate students, the college ranked 132nd among all universities in the United States on the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2011 ratings.
The public university offers three Master of Science degree programs in forensic science, including a research tract for students who work or wish to work in crime lab settings. Students in the program have the option to concentrate on forensic biology and DNA analysis, forensic pathology, forensic psychology or toxicology. The program has accreditation through both the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Most students spend two years completing the degree requirements, which include a research project related to crime lab work and master's thesis.
Federal and state financial aid programs are available for eligible students at Oklahoma State University. Tuition discounts are given to Oklahoma residents.
California State University Los Angeles is a public institution founded in 1947. The school's 173-acre campus is five miles from downtown Los Angeles and serves as home to more than 20,600 undergraduate and graduate students.
For undergraduates, the California State University Los Angeles offers a minor in forensic science completable with any undergraduate major, such as criminal justice, biology or chemistry. The minor requires coursework in crime scene management, forensic biology and chemistry, pattern analysis and forensic microscopy. At the graduate level, the university grants a Master of Science degree in criminalistics for prospective and established crime lab professionals. The program features classes in pathology, microscopy, toxicology, serology, controlled substance analysis and crime scene reconstruction. All students in the graduate program complete a research thesis project and undergo a comprehensive examination. Internships for master's students are available.
Eligible students at the California State University Los Angeles can receive federal and state financial aid, institutional scholarships and work-study placements. California residents enjoy tuition discounts.