Xavier University is a Catholic university in Cincinnati, Ohio, that offers a Master of Science degree in nursing with a forensic nursing concentration. This degree prepares students for work as sexual assault nurses, nurse coroners and forensic psychiatric nurses. Students can also pursue careers as consultants in legal nursing matters. The curriculum focuses on the integration of nursing principles and the criminal justice system. Students learn to identify any kind of abuse in patients and how to collect and document the evidence. Students participate in clinicals, the traditional learning route of nursing students that involves actual patients. They also attend classes with a mannequin that mimics human behavior. The program accepts only registered nurses who have licenses in the states in which they plan to practice. Students must apply for a fall semester, and the school may require a face-to-face interview before admission.
Xavier University
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207
513-745-3000
xavier.edu/msn/Forensic-Nursing.cfm
Boston College is a Catholic university in Massachusetts that offers a Master of Science degree in nursing with an additional specialty in forensic nursing where students earn the title Clinical Nurse Specialist. The program focuses on the technical skills needed to collect evidence and testimony from victims of violent crimes and on the ethnic and cultural aspects of that violence. Students at Boston College learn how to influence policy legislation as advocates for the victims of violent crimes. The clinicals include time at women's health clinics, emergency rooms, crime labs and mental health facilities. Students also accompany the director of the program to court to witness the forensic nurse's role in giving testimony and scientific evidence. The school has a forensics advisory board that welcomes new students as members.
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-552-4928
bc.edu/schools/son/programs/masters/specialties/forensicnursing.html
Fitchburg State College is a Massachusetts school that specializes in the sciences. The school offers an online 36-credit Master of Science degree in forensic nursing. Students must have bachelor's degrees in nursing to be admitted. Like most online degree programs, students have the freedom to make their own schedule for the most part; however, some classes are at specific times and days. Students arrange their own clinicals at local hospitals or health facilities with the help of their academic advisor. The faculty includes forensic nurses and attorneys, who provide students a background in medical know-how and the criminal justice system. Graduates of the program work in medical examiners' offices, psychiatric forensic nursing and as legal consultants. The school provides job placement assistance upon graduation.
Fitchburg State College
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
978-345-2151
fsc.edu/gradonline/forensicnursing/