Online Forensic Pathology Degree Program Overviews

Aspiring forensic pathologists need to complete a Doctor of Medicine degree program in addition to a medical residency before they are eligible to work in the field. While these programs are not available online, students interested in the field of forensic science can complete a Master of Science in Forensic Science degree partially online.

Overview of a Master of Science in Forensic Science Degree Program

To work as a forensic pathologist, a medical degree is required in addition to a residency program in forensic pathology. A Master of Science in Forensic Science degree program can advance the careers of working professionals by either enhancing their forensic knowledge, or by serving as a transitional degree on their medical school path towards becoming a licensed forensic pathologist. Prospective students need to have a bachelor's degree in a related field to be eligible for admission.

Program Information and Requirements

The average forensic science master's degree program can be completed in two years. These programs are offered partially online. Students can expect to complete core courses online, and then spend at least two semesters for an on-campus residency. Online course material is generally delivered through online learning platforms like the Blackboard system.
These programs often offer concentrations within the major which allow for students to specialize their course of study. These concentrations include criminalistics, investigation, research, forensic science administration and forensic document examination.
Students need to have access to a computer with a high-speed Internet connection, current Web-browser and an updated operating system. Many forensic photography courses require for students to have their own digital camera.

List of Common M.S. in Forensic Science Online Courses

If students do not have an undergraduate degree in a related field, some prerequisite courses may need to be completed prior to enrollment.

Forensic Pathology Course

Fundamental concepts of forensic pathology are examined in this course, including occupational definitions, human anatomy and types of death and injury. Through analyzing case studies, students learn to identify different types of injuries and causes of death. Further concepts studied include identifying the characteristics of deaths and injuries due to firearms, automotive accidents, assault, sexual assault, trauma and drug-related cases. This course is commonly two semesters in length.

Forensic Psychology Course

This course examines the areas where psychology and law intersect. Students identify the circumstances where legal proceedings are influenced by the testimony of mental health professionals. Concepts explored in this course include criminal behavior, insanity pleas, ethical issues, competency of defendants to stand trial, polygraph testing and mental health institutions.

Crime Scene Investigation Course

This course trains students in the current protocol of forensic scientists when investigating crime scenes. Topics include scene preservation and protection, evidence collection, surveying, fingerprinting, documenting and the chain-of-custody.

Career Information for Graduates

Graduates of a Master of Science in Forensic Science degree program can find employment as forensic science technicians. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in May 2009 that the mean annual wage for this occupation was $55,070 (www.bls.gov). The BLS reported that employment for forensic science technicians was expected to rise by 12% between 2008 and 2018.

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Overview of a Fellowship in Pathology

The final portion of academic training for aspiring forensic pathologists prior to receiving licensure is a fellowship in forensic pathology. Participants in these programs undergo a thorough training in pathology practice, and work closely with a medical examiner during their residency to determine the cause of sudden and violent deaths.
Applicants need to have completed a Doctor of Medicine degree program, as well as have completed a residency program. Due to the nature of study and the clinical requirements of students, these programs are required to be completed at the site of practice, and cannot be offered online.

Program Information and Requirements

Fellowships in pathology usually take one year to complete. These positions are usually very competitive, and most schools only accept a small number of applicants every year. Programs usually provide a stipend for fellows as they complete the residency program.

Course Information

Fellowship programs in forensic pathology do not have traditional courses, but instead have specialized rotations in which students practice forensic pathology. Students in these programs can expect to perform between 250 and 300 forensic autopsies during their program. Students also document their clinical findings, and work with legal council to testify in court when necessary.
Rotations at toxicology laboratories, law enforcement crime laboratories and teaching conferences are also common in these programs. While working with medical examiners, students travel to crime scenes to collect evidence from pre-hospitalized victims of accidents, suicides and homicides.

Career Information for Graduates

Graduates of this program have received the training to gain employment as a forensic pathologist. Forensic pathologists are often employed by hospitals and state and government agencies at all levels of jurisdiction. According to Payscale.com, the average annual salary for this occupation ranges from $42,816 to $158,967. Most forensic pathologists are employed by hospitals and law enforcement agencies.