Graduation Rate

The graduation rate for the Forensic Science Program is 80.8% for academic year 2019-2020 based on the sophomore cohort of 2017-2018 that completed the Introduction to Forensic Science course (FRSC 340). For reference, the university graduation rate is 69.1% for academic year 2018-2019 based on the freshman cohort of 2014-2015.

Graduate Survey Results

Overall, the graduates rate the program as excellent, 4.94 out of 5.00 (1=Poor, 5=Excellent). They believe their educational experience was very difficult/moderately difficult, 1.78 out of 4 (1=Very Difficult, 4=Very Easy). This is based on the class of 2020.

Post-Graduate Information (all responding graduates)

The program maintains contact with graduates through a number of different means. The data below provide post-graduate and job information in various categories based on input from the graduates.

Category	Response
Working in the Forensic Sciences	34.2%
Attending Professional Schools: Medical School; Osteopathic School; Pathology Assistant; Physician’s Assistant	21.4%
Working in Science Related Areas	17.1%
Working in Other Areas	12.8%
Attending Graduate Schools, MS or PhD	8.5%
Working in Related Criminal Justice Areas	6.0%

Student Involvement and Achievement

In the 2020-2021 academic year, 25 students participated in undergraduate research. This research resulted presentations in the following Loyola Undergraduate Research & Engagement Symposium (4), MATT conference (1) and have been submitted to the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists annual meeting (2; pending approval 06 Oct 21).

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, seven students obtained internships during the summer of 2021. The locations included a McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Kane County Coroner, Simple Laboratories, United states Drug Testing Laboratories Inc, and The Forensic Sciences Mentoring Institute.

*Updated 13 Oct 21