Forensic anthropologists study human skeletal remains to determine information about a person's sex, ancestry and body type for scientific research or crime investigations. A graduate-level degree is typically necessary to work independently in the field, though an undergraduate or degree or certificate may enable someone to assist with evidence collection and analysis. A small number of colleges and universities offer forensic anthropology programs recommended by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, the national institution devoted to professional certification in the field.
Mercyhurst College
Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania is home to more than 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students, according to the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." The college offers a Bachelor of Science degree in applied forensics with a concentration in forensic anthropology. The program requires four years to complete and includes coursework in paleoanthropology, skeletal biology, osteology, crime scene archaeology, chemistry, cell biology, calculus and statistics. The college also grants Master of Science degrees in forensic and biological anthropology. Requiring two years to complete, the course of study includes classes required at the undergraduate level as well as additional studies in fragmentary osteology, evidence collection and skeletal trauma analysis. Students in the graduate program must complete a master's thesis project and successfully pass a three-day comprehensive examination.
Mercyhurst College
501 East 38th St.
Erie, PA 16546
814-824-2000
mai.mercyhurst.edu
California State University, Chico
California State University, Chico is approximately 90 miles from Sacramento and has an enrollment of nearly 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students, according to "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." For undergraduates, the college offers a certificate program in forensic identification, which may be completed along with any bachelor's degree major. The certificate requires 27 to 38 credits with classes in field archaeology, genetics, histology, hematology, general and organic chemistry and criminal studies. Students must complete an internship with a law enforcement agency to receive the certificate. A Master of Science in forensic anthropology is also offered at Chico. The master's degree has the same requirements as the undergraduate course of study, but also includes a master's thesis. Most students complete the degree requirements within two years.
California State University, Chico
400 W. 1st St.
Chico, CA 95929
800-542-4426
csuchico.edu
University of Florida
Located in Gainesville, the University of Florida is a public institution with more than 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students, reports the "2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges." The university offers both a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in biological anthropology with a concentration in forensic anthropology. At the master's level, students can complete a thesis or take additional courses and complete a possible journal article on a topic related to the field. The university recommends the thesis-track for students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. in the field. All Ph.D. students complete a comprehensive examination and a formal dissertation. The university also offers a joint Master of Arts in forensic anthropology and Juris Doctor degree through its law school.
University of Florida
201 Criser Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611
352-392-1365
ufl.edu
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