Forensic Science
The Biomedical Sciences Program, Criminal Justice Program, and Departments of Anthropology and Chemistry cooperate in offering three certificates in the area of forensic sciences. Sponsored jointly by the College of Letters and Science, the College of Health Professions and Sciences, and the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, these certificate curricula are designed to train students in basic skills that will provide the foundation for careers in the fields of law enforcement, death investigation, pathology, and toxicology.
Certificates are offered in Death Investigation, Forensic Science, and Forensic Toxicology. Where applicable, the curriculum meets the criteria required for professional certification examinations (Medicolegal Death Investigation, Toxicological Chemist).
Eligibility
Undergraduate students who pursue a forensic sciences certificate maintain their identity as majors in their home departments and continue to progress toward a baccalaureate degree while in the certificate program. Courses include lecture presentations and laboratory experiences that cover fundamental areas of forensic science and provide unique instruction on techniques that are essential in the specific certificates. Students are given instruction by faculty members at 51ÁÔÆæ and forensic professionals in the Milwaukee community. Any of the programs may be pursued as a post-baccalaureate educational certificate. Individuals who are not enrolled in a degree program at 51ÁÔÆæ, but are seeking continuing education for career development, may be admitted to courses in the certificate programs by meeting prerequisites with equivalent experience or consent of the instructor.
Program Type
Undergraduate Certificate
Program Format
On Campus
Requirements
To receive a certificate in Death Investigation, Forensic Science, or Forensic Toxicology, students must complete at least one half of the required credits on the 51ÁÔÆæ campus. A minimum grade point average of 2.500 must be achieved on the required credits. All options within the certificate require at least a basic knowledge of chemistry and biology. To meet this requirement, prior to registering themselves in the Forensic Sciences Certificate Program, students must successfully complete  or equivalent and  or equivalent.
The following courses must be completed successfully to obtain a Certificate in Forensic Science:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dead Men Do Tell Tales: An Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 | |
| Criminalistics | 3 | |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| Criminal Evidence and Investigation | 3 | |
| The Human Skeleton | 3 | |
| ´Ç°ùÌý | Human Biological Variation | |
| Pharmacology | 3 | |
| ´Ç°ùÌý | Drugs Used and Abused | |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Biology | ||
| Biochemistry: Cellular Processes | ||
&²¹³¾±è;Ìý | Molecular and Genetic Diagnostics and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory | |
| Total Credits | 21-22 | |
Additional courses with forensic content are listed below. Check prerequisites or consult the instructor for eligibility. These courses are recommended, but are not required, for the Certificate in Forensic Science:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Medicolegal Death Investigation | 3 | |
| Internship in Forensic Toxicology | 1-3 | |
| Internship in Death Investigation | 1-3 | |
| Internship in Forensic Science | 1-3 | |
| Forensic Anthropology | 3 | |
| First-Year Seminar: | 3 | |
| Instrumental Analysis | 3 | |
| Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring | 1 |
Internships
The Forensic Science Certificate program offers semester-long internships at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Milwaukee branch of the Wisconsin State Crime Lab. Students have the opportunity to shadow forensic professionals, take part in the day-to-day operations of these institutions, and gain experience in current forensic methods and protocols. Interested students should fill out the indicating their career goals, expected date of graduation, and other relevant information for consideration. Students currently working towards any of the three forensic science certificates and have taken, or are currently taking, ANTHRO 403 are eligible to apply. For more information, please contact the program director, Dr. Emily Middleton, at middleto@uwm.edu.
Spring 2026: Upcoming Courses in Program
Check catalog for compatibility -| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
Forensic Anthropology
| |
Forensic Anthropology
| |
Criminalistics
| |
Criminalistics
| |
Molecular and Genetic Diagnostics
| |
Molecular and Genetic Diagnostics
| |
Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
| |
Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
| |
Criminalistics
| |
Instrumental Analysis
| |
Instrumental Analysis
| |
Biochemistry: Cellular Processes
| |
Biochemistry: Cellular Processes
| |
Introduction to Criminal Justice
| |
Criminalistics
| |
Drugs Used and Abused
|
Summer 2026: Upcoming Courses in Program
Check catalog for compatibility -| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Fall 2026: Upcoming Courses in Program
Check catalog for compatibility -| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
Dead Men Do Tell Tales: An Introduction to Forensic Science
| |
Medicolegal Death Investigation
| |
The Human Skeleton
| |
The Human Skeleton
| |
Dead Men Do Tell Tales: An Introduction to Forensic Science
| |
Medicolegal Death Investigation
| |
Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
| |
Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
| |
Pharmacology
| |
Pharmacology
| |
Dead Men Do Tell Tales: An Introduction to Forensic Science
| |
Medicolegal Death Investigation
| |
Introduction to Criminal Justice
| |
Dead Men Do Tell Tales: An Introduction to Forensic Science
| |
Medicolegal Death Investigation
| |
Criminal Evidence and Investigation
| |
Drugs Used and Abused
|
Certificates are similar to minors and generally require the completion of six to eight classes. Unlike a minor where all of the classes come from a single subject area, the classes come from multiple subject areas related to the theme of the certificate. Certificates are typically earned in conjunction with a degree though some certificates are available as a standalone credential.