Forensic Science
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Forensic Science provides the student with a specialization in forensic investigation as it relates to crime. The curriculum presents a specialized scope of knowledge about photography, collection and preservation of evidence, and investigative strategies. The program provides students with an important knowledge base for investigative specialization in a wide range of disciplines and careers. This degree pathway also provides students with the opportunity to complete two Certificates of Completion (CCL) in Crime Scene Investigation, and Fingerprint Identification and Photography.
Details
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
This program replaces:
AAS/3041 Forensic Science: Crime Lab
AAS/3404 Forensic Technology
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Synthesize multiple sources of information to make timely assessments.
- Solve problems through logical and sound reasoning.
- Communicate orally, visually and in writing precisely, appropriately, and effectively to varied audiences.
- Communicate in the language common to the criminal justice system.
- Collaborate with diverse agencies, community representatives and individuals to achieve common goals.
- Apply the principles and processes of criminal and constitutional law, criminology theory, knowledge of the functions and components of the criminal justice system, and current issues to criminal justice operations.
- Utilize technology to collect, analyze and communicate data.
- Practice professional standards appropriate to the field of criminal justice.
- Subscribe to and practice ethical behavior appropriate to the field of criminal justice.
- Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.
Compliance Officers
$62,470 Show expanded career information for Compliance Officers
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
$91,350 Show expanded career information for Detectives and Criminal Investigators
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
$98,870 Show expanded career information for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Forensic Science Technicians
$63,360 Show expanded career information for Forensic Science Technicians
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
$66,020 Show expanded career information for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | Critical course Gateway course | SB | 3 | |
AJS215 or AJS219 or FOR105 | Criminalistics: Physical Evidence or Crime Scene Technology: Physical Evidence or Forensic Science: Physical Evidence | Critical course | 3–4 | ||
ENG101 or ENG107 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC | 3 | |
Math Requirement | Math Requirement | 3–6 | |||
FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS123 | Ethics and the Administration of Justice | HU | 3 | ||
AJS216 or FOR106 | Criminalistics: Biological Evidence or Forensic Science: Biological Evidence | 3–4 | |||
Math Requirement | Math Requirement | Lab Science emphasis only | 0–3 | ||
ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC | 3 | ||
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS275 | Criminal Investigation I | 3 | |||
AJS290BN | Courtroom Testimony Seminar | 1 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
COM225 | Public Speaking | L | 3 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Elective | Elective Course | 0–3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | Critical course Gateway course | SB | 3 | |
ENG101 or ENG107 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC | 3 | |
FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS215 or AJS219 or FOR105 | Criminalistics: Physical Evidence or Crime Scene Technology: Physical Evidence or Forensic Science: Physical Evidence | Critical course | 3–4 | ||
ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC | 3 | ||
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent by assessment | L | 0–3 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS216 or FOR106 | Criminalistics: Biological Evidence or Forensic Science: Biological Evidence | 3–4 | |||
Math Requirement | Math Requirement | 3–6 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS123 | Ethics and the Administration of Justice | HU | 3 | ||
Math Requirement | Math Requirement | Lab Science emphasis only | 0–3 |
Term 5
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS275 | Criminal Investigation I | 3 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 |
Term 6
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
COM225 | Public Speaking | L | 3 |
Term 7
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AJS290BN | Courtroom Testimony Seminar | 1 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 |
Term 8
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 |
Term 9
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 | |||
Emphasis Coursework | Emphasis Coursework | 3–4 |
Term 10
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elective | Elective | 0–3 |
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s curriculum website for the Associate in Applied Science in Forensic Science (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=176666).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.