This minor is designed to meet the needs of students interested in exploring the social science options in forensic science but who are not necessarily pursuing a lab-based major, such as chemistry, biology, or computer science. Scientific inquiry undergirds the minor’s integration of crime scene investigative techniques with social and behavioral sciences in order to enhance communication, organizational skills, and application of law with sensitivity and cultural understanding of different populations in criminal investigations.
This minor is interdisciplinary and integrates knowledge from several fields of study, particularly focusing on Anthropology, Criminology & Criminal Justice, but also offers perspectives from a number of other areas depending upon student interest. Students completing the minor will be better positioned to make informed decisions on areas of expertise in which they may wish to continue their education in specialized forensic programs or graduate studies if they choose. The Social Science Forensics minor is designed to give students the advantage of social science and field skills appropriate for entry level work. The Social Science Forensics minor on student transcripts can also signify to potential employers’ a students’ understanding of basic concepts in the forensic arena.
A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.
To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 18 |
| Major GPA | C |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
Purpose Statement
Students in the Social Sciences Forensic Minor develop an understanding of the social, cultural, historical, and political issues, impacting the development of forensic science and the application of forensics science in criminology, criminal justice, and law enforcement systems. Project-based course work imitates real life scenarios and emphasizes teamwork concomitant with real crime scene investigation and a variety of applied techniques. Tailored to the professional goals of each student, the Social Science Forensics minor can help prepare students in the application of medico-legal writing, imagery, sketching, forensic archaeology, forensic anthropology, death investigation, crime investigation, criminal law procedure, and gender and ethnicity issues influencing law enforcement and forensic work. Students who complete the Social Science Forensic minor will have knowledge of career options available through advanced studies and be more competitive and well-rounded for entry level, non-lab based forensic work.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:
More Information
Take the following 18 with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
Topics courses must have an applied component in addition to forensic relevance and significant social science content. Please consult with your advisor.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.