Forensic Archeology, Graduate Certificate

Faculty

• Karen Scott, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director of the Forensic Science Program
• Kimberlee Sue Moran, MSc., RPA, Instructor and Assistant Director of the Forensic Science Program

Adjunct Faculty

• Ilya Buynevich, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Temple University Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Anna Dhody, M.F.S, Director of the Mütter Institute & Curator of the Mütter Museum, The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
• Ani N. Hatza, M.S., RPA, Independent Forensic Anthropology Consultant
• Eric Young, M.A., Independent Forensic Archaeology Consultant

About the Certificate

• First of its kind in North America
• Highly selective program for field-experienced archaeologists
• Small class sizes
• Personal attention from faculty advisers
• Multi-disciplinary approach
• Cross training in archaeology, physical/biological anthropology, and geoforensics
• Skill development for CRM archaeology
• Emphasis on mapping, GIS, and Lidar techniques for scene reconstruction
• Rigorous scientific foundation for a career in archaeology, crime scene investigation, and death investigation
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities
• Opportunities to conduct independent research in various forensic science disciplines
• Opportunity to attend autopsies and participate on cold case investigations

A Growing Profession

Forensic Science is broadly defined as the application of science to the purposes of law. It is highly interdisciplinary by nature and has become a vital part of the judicial and regulatory system worldwide. Professional forensic scientists, law enforcement personnel, and criminal justice employees all recognize the growing need for highly qualified specialists who can follow established protocols in the collection, preservation, analysis and presentation of forensic evidence.

What is Forensic Archaeology?

Forensic archaeology is the application of archaeological methods to cases of medico-legal significance. Cases can include the location and recovery of human remains, homicide investigation, mass fatality incidents, and mass grave excavation. Forensic archaeology involves very recent events rather than historic or prehistoric research.

Program Goals

The goal of the Forensic Archaeology certificate program is to convert the skill set of a practicing, field archaeologist (consisting of excavation, documentation, and interpretation) into that of a specialized crime scene investigator. Students applying to this post-graduate certificate are expected to have a solid foundation in archaeological theory and field methods as well as some practical field experience.

Program Structure

The structure of the program is designed to meet the following objectives:

1. equip practicing archaeologists with the skills and knowledge necessary to participate in field work related to criminal investigations;
2. train archaeologists in excavation skills specific to human remains recovery;
3. provide a general awareness of forensic methods and techniques to archaeologists responsible for processing outdoor crime scenes.

These objectives will be delivered through classroom instruction, practical exercises, and field simulations. The program focuses primarily on the fields of forensic archaeology, anthropology, and environmental science.

• Forensic Archaeology involves the systematic processing of outdoor scenes to maximize evidence recovery and to provide an interpretation of the human activity that took place. A forensic archaeologist employs a wide range of mapping, collection, and documentation techniques that meet the needs of law enforcement and the judicial system. In addition, forensic archaeologists should have a general awareness of other disciplines such as DNA, entomology, trace evidence, and pattern evidence to ensure that evidence is collected and preserved in a manner suitable for future analysis by other experts.
• Forensic Anthropology involves analysis and interpretation of human remains and alterations to human bone. Forensic anthropologists can estimate the sex and age at death of an individual using both metric and observational techniques. Trauma and disease of bone can inform cause of death determination.
• Forensic Environmental Science involves a range of disciplines that employ environmental trace evidence. Soil, plants, pollen, diatoms, and insects can all provide crucial information. Several remote sensing techniques commonly in use in geology can be applied to the location of clandestine graves. 

The Forensic Archaeology certificate program consists of six course modules delivered over the Fall and Spring semesters. Two core courses will introduce the theoretical framework of forensic archaeology and practical field methods including spatial data collection and analysis. Archaeologists will become familiar with the criminal justice system, forensic and legal terminology, forensic procedures and protocols, and the major stages of a criminal investigation.  Additional elements beyond classroom instruction incorporated into the core course are visits to the prosecutors’ office, guest speakers from scenes of crime units, and the observation of a trial in progress. The core course will end with a simulated case involving the hands-on excavation of remains, laboratory analysis of recovered evidence, a written report, and testimony in a mock trial.

Through two anthropology courses (Human Osteology and Human Skeletal Profiling) students will learn the entirety of the human skeleton; skeletal markers for sex, age, and stature; and methods of trauma analysis. This course has a large laboratory component where students will have weekly quizzes on bone identification. Information learned in these classes will feed into the final field exercise.

Finally, the certificate program also includes two courses in geoforensics. Geoforensics incorporates both environmental evidence and remote sensing.  This course will introduce students to geoforensic methods, including the search for, identification of, and mapping of graves, and the characterization of sediment and soil evidence. These modules will inform the laboratory analysis of the final field exercise.

Admission Requirements

Program-specific admission requirements:

1. A Forensic Archaeology application, including personal statements, must be completed online at www.arcadia.edu/gradapp.  Be sure to include in the personal statement an explanation of the applicant’s interest in the field of forensic science.
2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or better, with at least a 3.25 in the major. It is expected that students have an undergraduate degree in the anthropology or archaeology. Degrees in history or other related subjects are acceptable provided that the application has sufficient field experience.
3. One official transcript from each college, university or professional school attended. Transfer credits included on a transcript must include grades earned; if not, an official transcript from the original school must be submitted. Transcripts must be sent from the issuing school in a sealed envelope and contain the appropriate signatures and seals to be considered official.
4. Completion of at least 150 hours of archaeological field experience. This can include archaeological field schools or CRM employment.
5. Three current letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s ability to study at the graduate-level, one of which must be from a field supervisor.
6. International applicants should visit www.arcadia.edu/international for detailed information on admission requirements and application procedures. TOEFL/IELTS results are required for all students for whom English is a second language or who have not earned degrees or diplomas from post-secondary institutions in English-speaking countries (e.g. the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand). A course-by-course evaluation of all transcripts by an independent evaluation service based in the United States also is required.
7. An interview with the Admissions Committee will be required either by phone or Skype.

Before writing the essay, students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the field of forensic science by exploring the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Web site (www.aafs.org).

GRE scores are not required.

Admission Procedures

General Admissions Procedures

Upon enrollment into their programs, all students must provide proof of medical insurance and also provide information about their health and medical history. If needed, medical insurance can be purchased through the University. Information and applications are available in the Office of Student Health Services.

Application Deadline

Completed applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting November 18. Those received after November 18 will be reviewed based on availability of space in the attending class.

Deferred Admission

A student admitted to the program and who wants to defer his or her admission for one year must submit a request to do so in writing to the Director. Deferrals will be granted by the Department on an individual basis. Once the deferral is granted, the student must submit the required deposit to reserve his or her seat in the class. This deposit will be credited toward tuition. Students who are granted a deferral must understand that they will be subject to the prevailing tuition at the time of matriculation to the program.

Part-Time Program

Admitted students working full-time may enroll in and complete the certificate program on a part-time basis. Part-time students generally take 1 to 2 courses per semester and adjust their work schedule to attend and complete course requirements. Matriculated student requirements are similar to the admission requirements for the full-time program. Students will apply to the program using the same procedure as students applying to the full-time program. Admission to the part-time program may only occur in the Fall semester.

Personal Academic and Professional Ethics

Students interested in the program should be aware of the National Institute of Justice Report entitled “Qualifications for a Career in Forensic Science.” This document details the personal, professional and academic criteria which will influence a prospective forensic science examiner’s suitability for employment. With regard to personal characteristics, the document states that “Because forensic science is part of the criminal justice system, personal honesty, integrity, and scientific objectivity are paramount. Those seeking careers in this field should be aware that background checks similar to those required for law enforcement officers are likely to be a condition of employment. The following may be conducted and/or reviewed before an employment offer is made and may remain as ongoing conditions of employment (this list is not all inclusive): drug tests, history of drug use, criminal history, personal associations, polygraph examination, driving record, past work performance, credit history, and medical or physical examination. Personal candor in these areas is critical.”

Students should also be aware of the Society for American Archaeology’s Principles of Archaeological Ethics and the Register of Professional Archaeologist’s Code and Standards.

Support Services

Professional counseling services are available through the Arcadia University Counseling Center.

Expenses

2016-17 Tuition: Part Time Graduate Tuition Rate

Fees:

• Parking, registration, student liability insurance (per year) $130

Additional Expenses (estimated):

• Books and supplies (estimated): Year one $500; Year two $500
• Room and Board: Off Campus
• Travel: Varies

Financial Aid

Scholarships

Several partial-tuition scholarships are available for students in the Forensic Science program. Upon acceptance into the program, students will be reviewed automatically for these scholarships, which are based upon academic achievement.

Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available on a semester-to-semester basis. Select students are automatically awarded graduate assistantships upon acceptance, but any graduate student may apply for a campus-wide graduate assistantship. Questions regarding graduate assistantships should be directed to the College of Graduate Studies at 215-572- 2925.

Federal Loans

Graduate students are eligible to borrow through the federal Stafford Loan and federal PLUS Loan programs. Arcadia University, in partnership with AES/PHEAA, offers the no-fee Arcadia University Preferred Stafford Loan Program, which provides students with benefits that include

• Origination and guarantee fee waivers
• Interest rate reduction during repayment
• Superior administration and servicing

All financial aid paperwork not submitted online should be sent to the Office of Enrollment Management/Financial Aid. Please e-mail finaid@arcadia.edu or call 1- 877-ARCADIA (1-877-272-2342) if you have additional questions about financial aid.

Certification Requirements (18 credits)