Forensic Science

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Forensic Science provides the student with a specialization in forensic investigation as it relates to crime. The curriculum presents a specialized scope of knowledge about photography, collection and preservation of evidence, and investigative strategies. The program provides students with an important knowledge base for investigative specialization in a wide range of disciplines and careers. This degree pathway also provides students with the opportunity to complete two Certificates of Completion (CCL) in Crime Scene Investigation, and Fingerprint Identification and Photography.

Details

Field of Interest

Behavioral Science and Human Services

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Academic Plan

Forensic Science (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

3183

Total credits required

60-64

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

Synthesize multiple sources of information to make timely assessments.
Solve problems through logical and sound reasoning.
Communicate orally, visually and in writing precisely, appropriately, and effectively to varied audiences.
Communicate in the language common to the criminal justice system.
Collaborate with diverse agencies, community representatives and individuals to achieve common goals.
Apply the principles and processes of criminal and constitutional law, criminology theory, knowledge of the functions and components of the criminal justice system, and current issues to criminal justice operations.
Use technology to collect, analyze and communicate data.
Practice professional standards appropriate to the field of criminal justice.
Subscribe to and practice ethical behavior appropriate to the field of criminal justice.
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Coroners

$67,680 Show expanded career information for Coroners

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

$88,140 Show expanded career information for Detectives and Criminal Investigators

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

$98,610 Show expanded career information for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Forensic Science Technicians

$64,780 Show expanded career information for Forensic Science Technicians

Intelligence Analysts

$88,140 Show expanded career information for Intelligence Analysts

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

$68,060 Show expanded career information for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Police Identification and Records Officers

$88,140 Show expanded career information for Police Identification and Records Officers

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Forensic Science
Specialization 1: Crime Scene
Specialization 2: Lab Science

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1Term 1Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1Term 1Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
			Critical course Gateway course	SB	3
or or	or or		Critical course	None or SQ	3–4
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
Math Requirement	Math Requirement				3–5
or	or				1–3
or MAT41 or MAT42	or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions	Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (, , and ), or (, , and ), or , or , or or or . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or , OR an appropriate district placement for , OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or , OR an appropriate district placement for , OR permission of Department or Division Chair.	or Higher course with an [MA] general education designation	MA or MA or MA	3–5
or or	or or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or , OR an appropriate district placement for , OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or , OR an appropriate district placement for , OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or , OR an appropriate district placement for , OR permission of Department or Division Chair.	or Higher course with an [MA] general education designation	MA or MA or MA	3–5

Term 2Term 2Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2Term 2Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
			HU	3
or	or		None or SQ	3–4
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .	FYC or FYC	3
		Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in or ) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in or or or or or permission of Instructor).	L	0–3
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework			3–4
				3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or higher, or eligibility for . One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	SQ	4

Term 3Term 3Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3Term 3Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
				3
				1
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework			3–4
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework			3–4
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent.	L	3
				3
				3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or permission of Department or Division.	SG	4
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( and ) or or one year of high school chemistry taken in the last five yrs] and ( or higher or satisfactory placement) or permission of the Instructor or Department or Division Chair.	SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL	3
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: or .	SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151	1

Term 4Term 4Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4Term 4Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework				3–4
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework				3–4
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework				3–4
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework				3–4
Elective	Elective Course				0–3
					3
					3
or or	or or		Any AJS Administration of Justice Studies course not listed in the required courses area	CS or CS or None	3
or Elective	or Elective		An Elective may be selected if or was selected. Recommend /LL, /LL, or		4
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( or ) and ], or , or , or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.		SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL	3
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: .		SQ in combo w/ CHM152	1
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ( or ) and [( or ) and ], or , or , or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.			4
			Any course or combination of courses that include HU, C, and either G or H General Education designations	HU	3
or	or			CS or CS	3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
			Critical course Gateway course	SB	3
or	or	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in or or ) or (B or better in ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ) or ( & Corequisites: or or or ).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
or	or				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or or	or or		Critical course	None or SQ	3–4
or	or	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in .		FYC or FYC	3
		Prerequisites: (A grade of C or better in or ) and (appropriate reading placement test score or a grade of C or better in or or or or or permission of Instructor).		L	0–3

Term 3Term 3Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3Term 3Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
or	or			None or SQ	3–4
Math Requirement	Math Requirement				3–5
or MAT41 or MAT42	or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions	Prerequisites: An appropriate District placement, or a grade of C or better in (, , and ), or (, , and ), or , or , or or or . or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or , OR an appropriate district placement for , OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or , OR an appropriate district placement for , OR permission of Department or Division Chair.	or Higher course with an [MA] general education designation	MA or MA or MA	3–5
or or	or or	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or , OR an appropriate district placement for , OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or , OR an appropriate district placement for , OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or , or , or , OR an appropriate district placement for , OR permission of Department or Division Chair.	or Higher course with an [MA] general education designation	MA or MA or MA	3–5

Term 4Term 4Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4Term 4Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
			HU	3
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework			3–4
				3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or higher, or eligibility for . One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.	SQ	4

Term 5Term 5Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5Term 5Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
				3
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework			3–4
				3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( and ) or or one year of high school chemistry taken in the last five yrs] and ( or higher or satisfactory placement) or permission of the Instructor or Department or Division Chair.	SQ in combo w/ CHM151LL	3
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: or .	SQ in combo w/ CHM150 or CHM151	1

Term 6Term 6Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6Term 6Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework			3–4
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or equivalent.	L	3
				3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in , or , or permission of Department or Division.	SG	4

Term 7Term 7Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7Term 7Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
				1
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework			3–4
				3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in [( or ) and ], or , or , or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.	SQ in combo w/ CHM152LL	3
		Prerequisites or Corequisites: .	SQ in combo w/ CHM152	1

Term 8Term 8Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8Term 8Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework				3–4
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework				3–4
					3
or or	or or		Any AJS Administration of Justice Studies course not listed in the required courses area	CS or CS or None	3
		Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ( or ) and [( or ) and ], or , or , or permission of the Instructor, or Department or Division Chair.			4
			Any course or combination of courses that include HU, C, and either G or H General Education designations	HU	3

Term 9Term 9Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9Term 9Term 9
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
Specialization Coursework	Specialization Coursework			3–4
Elective	Elective			0–3
or Elective	or Elective	An Elective may be selected if or was selected. Recommend /LL, /LL, or		4
or	or		CS or CS	3

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
FYC = First Year Composition
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry

MA = Mathematics
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

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