Program Statistics
Graduation Rate
The graduation rate for the Forensic Science Program each year is calculated based on the ratio of graduates divided by student enrollment in FRSC 340 - Introduction to Forensic Science from two years prior (sophomore cohort). Find more information on the curriculum here.
Example: AY 2019-2020 graduates = 21; Fall FRSC 340 Fall 2017 enrollment = 26
| Academic Year | Gradutes / FRSC 340 Enrollment | Forensic Science Program Graduation Rate | University Graduation Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | 26 / 43 | 60.4% | Not yet available |
| 2020-2021 | 18 / 34 | 52.9% | 64.6% |
| 2019-2020 | 21 / 26 | 80.8% | 69.1% |
*University Student Achievement
Academic Performance
Academic performace is assessed using various metrics. The following table summarizes the metrics of recent graduating classes.
| Academic Year | Number of Graduates | Graduate Cumulative GPA | Graduation with Distinction* | Average years to degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | 26 | 3.28 | 8 | 4.07 |
| 2020-2021 | 18 | 3.28 | 6 | 3.99 |
| 2019-2020 | 21 | 3.23 | 5 | 4.02 |
*All levels of distinction included (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude)
Student Engagement and Achievement
- Undergraduate research with Forensic Science faculty
- AY 2022-2023: 4 (all Mulcahy Scholars)
- AY 2021-2022: 5
- AY 2020-2021: 25
- AY 2019-2020: 4 (1 Mulcahy Scholar)
- Student-involved research presented at regional, national, and international conferences: Loyola URES, Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, MATT, and PEth-Net
- Internship by year
- AY 2022-2023: 18
- AY 2021-2022: 7
- AY 2020-2021: 0
- AY 2019-2020: 7
- Internship Agencies since 2020
- Forensic Science Laboratories (FBI, Illinois State Police, Indiana State Police, Hennepin County, and Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory)
- Private Forensic / Industrial Laboratories (US Drug Testing Laboratories, INX International, Simple Laboratories, and Quest Diagnostics)
- Law Enforcement Agencies (FBI, Illinois State Police, Ballwin Police Department, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Palatine Police Department, and Mundelein Police Department)
- Forensic Science Education Programs (Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence at Iowa State University, The Forensic Mentoring Institute at The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education)
- Coroner’s & Medical Examiner’s Offices (Kane County Coroner, Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office)
Post-Graduate Information
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. This reflects all responding 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% |
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.
Updated 03 July 2023
