The Forensic Science Certificate provides an interdisciplinary perspective for students interested in careers in forensic science. This certificate is open to all undergraduate students at UT Austin. Students interested in seeking employment in forensic science laboratories or other fields that require a science background, upon graduation are encouraged to select biology and chemistry courses. Please note that some of these courses may require introductory biology and chemistry courses as prerequisites.

The Forensic Sciece Certificate requires completion of 18 hours of approved coursework, including a minimum of 6 hours of upper division coursework with a grade of C- or better. A minimum of 9 hours must be completed in residence at the University. A certificate may be transcripted up to one year after graduating. A maximum of 9 hours may be taken after earning an undergraduate degree. Click here to download the complete certificate checklist.

AN APPLICATION is required for admission into the FORENSIC SCIENCE certificate program.  Please submit the application.

 The application for admissions will be available August 1st.

BSA Students Only: Any mathematics and science coursework must be completed with grades of at least C- to fulfill BSA degree requirements. Coursework undertaken for certificates may overlap with the Core curriculum, flags, and Honors coursework. Overlap is allowed between major coursework and certificate requirements. However, at least one course should come from outside of major coursework.

Please Note: These policies and procedures are for students seeking their degree under the 2016-2018 catalog ONLY. If you are pursuing your degree under a different catalog, please refer to the appropriate link on the lefthand menu for your specific policies and procedures. If you are unsure of what catalog you are under, please refer to our FAQ's.

The Forensic Science Certificate is earned by completing the following coursework:

Complete three hours of Physical Anthropology:

• Anthropology 301 Physical Anthropology

Complete a minimum of 6 hours chosen from the following courses:

• Criminalistics: Sociology 302, 325K, 325L, 336P-(EL), Philosophy 347-(EL)
• Behavioral Science: Psychology 301, 308, 319K, 352
• Pharmacology: Neuroscience 365D
• Forensic Science: Anthropology 366, Physics 341-Forensic Science

Note: The courses do not have to be selected from the same discipline.

Letters in parenthesis denote the flag(s) the course carries. Flag designations are subject to change. Always check the current course schedule for the most up to date flag information for a course.

* Denotes courses that have been approved to count toward the certificate but are not listed in the catalog.

A maximum of 9 hours may be selected from any of the following courses:

Note: Courses below are optional and if taken do not need to be selected within the same discipline. You are encouraged to take coursework in Biology or Chemistry if you plan to pursue a field that requires a foundation in the natural sciences.

• Anatomy & Physiology: Biology 309D or 365S, 446L, 361T, 165U, 371L; Anthropology 432L*
• Chemistry: Chemistry 220C, 320M, 320N, 455, BCH 369
• Genetics & Microbiology: Biology 325, 325T, 325L, 226L, 326R, Anthropology 349C-(WR), 349D*-(II, WR)
• Statistics & Computation: One course chosen from the following list: Biology 321G, Statistics & Data Sciences 302, 304, 306, 328M, M316 

The Forensic Science Certificate provides an interdisciplinary perspective for students interested in careers in forensic science. This certificate is open to all undergraduate students at UT Austin. Students interested in seeking employment upon graduation in a forensic science laboratory or other field that requires a strong base in natural sciences, are encouraged to select biology and chemistry courses. Please note that some of these courses may require introductory biology and chemistry courses as prerequisites.

The certificate requires completion of 18 hours of approved coursework with a grade of C- or better. A minimum of 9 hours must be completed in residence at the University. Credit by exam can be applied toward the certificate requirements if the credit is for a specific course from the certificate courselist.

Students may also apply for the certificate within one year after earning their undergraduate degree. A maximum of 9 hours may be taken after earning an undergraduate degree.

Please Note: If you are pursuing a degree from an earlier catalog than 2014 – 2016, please follow the requirements in the 2014-2016 catalog. If you are unsure of what catalog you are under, please refer to our FAQ's.

After the 8th class day, credentials will become official in the next semester.  

After the 8th class day, credentials will become official in the next semester.  

This certificate provides nondegree seekers an opportunity to access the courses they need to complete the health profession prerequisites. If admitted as a nondegree seeker you will not be able to earn the certificate since it must coincide with the awarding of a degree, but it allows you to take the courses you need to pursue your desired health profession.

These requirements and procedures are specifically for students who are pursuing this certificate as a nondegree seeker. Please be sure to read through all of the instructions and requirements listed below.

Students must apply to the certificate program after or while completing the following qualifying courses with B- or better grades: 

• CH 301
• One from: SDS 302, M 316, M 408C, M 408K, M 408N

Once you have completed these courses with at least a B- or are currently taking these courses and would like to be admitted to the Certificate submit an application.

Please submit the required application for admission into the certificate program. The application for admission will be available August 1st.

The Biology and Chemistry courses listed here are the pre-requisite courses for our upper division courses in those disciplines. Physics is a prerequisite for multiple pre-health professions:

• Biology: BIO 311C, 311D, 206L
• Chemistry: CH 302, 204
• Physics: PHY 302K + 102M, 302L + 102N. The following physics sequences may substitute if they are already completed:  317K + 117M, 317L + 117N; 301 + 101L, 316 + 116L; 303K + 103M, 303L + 103N

Successful completion of the lower-division Biology and Chemistry courses listed above will allow you to continue on to your upper-division Biology and Chemistry. Below is a list of prerequisite courses organized by health profession. You should always refer to Health Professions Office for the most up to date health profession prerequisites.

• Pre-dental preparation: BCH 369; BIO 320, 325, 326M; CH 320M, 320N, 220C
• Pre-medical preparation: BCH 369; BIO 320, 325; CH 320M, 320N, 220C
• Pre-occupational therapy preparation: BIO 325, 446L, 365S, 165U; M 316
• Pre-optometry preparation: BCH 369; BIO 325, 326M, 226L, 446L, 365S, 165U; CH 320M, 320N, 220C; M 316
• Pre-physical therapy preparation: BIO 325, 446L, 365S, 165U; M 316
• Pre-physician assistant preparation: BCH 369; BIO 320, 325, 326M, 226L, 344, 446L, 365S, 165U; CH 320M, 320N, 220C; M 316; NTR 306
• Pre-pharmacy preparation: BIO 325, 326M, 226L, 446L, 365S, 165U; CH 320M, 320N, 220C; M 316
• Pre-veterinary preparation: BCH 369; BIO 325, 326R, 226L, 344; SDS (formerly SSC) 321 or 328M