MS in Forensic Anthropology
This 42-credit Master of Science degree is designed to train individuals in the theory, practice, and methods of biological and skeletal anthropology employed by forensic anthropologists in medicolegal death investigations. Students will receive extensive training in osteology, forensic anthropological techniques and procedures, human anatomy, crime scene investigation, and methods of human identification.
Classes are lecture and laboratory based with opportunities for internships and directed studies. Students complete a graduate-level research project that culminates into a full-length thesis.
This unique program is one of the only graduate forensic anthropology programs in a department of anatomy at a major medical center. This setting will provide students and faculty access to extensive resources and facilities, including a human gross anatomy laboratory.
Closely affiliated with the Master’s Degree Program in Biomedical Forensic Sciences and the Professional Studies in Applied Forensic Sciences and Criminal Investigation, students have the opportunity to pursue training in multiple areas of forensic sciences.
Employment and Educational Opportunities for Graduates of this Program
Upon completion of this program, students will be eligible and qualified to continue their education in a PhD program in Anthropology or pursue employment in a variety of settings. Potential employment opportunities for graduates include state medical examiner offices, government or private crime laboratories, or academic settings.
The Joint POW-MIA Accounting Command and the Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii employs civilian forensic anthropologists (MS and PhD). Specific information about these opportunities can be found by clicking here.
Boston University Medical Campus contains state-of-the-art lecture halls, seminar rooms, sophisticated computerized teaching labs, and Boston’s largest biomedical research park. In addition, the campus is in close proximity to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner for Massachusetts and the Boston Police Department Crime Laboratory.
We are happy to answer your questions regarding admissions, eligibility, or curriculum. Please contact us at fanthro@bu.edu.
Courses
The Forensic Anthropology Program offers a variety of courses in forensic anthropological techniques and procedures, human anatomy, osteology, pathology, human remains recovery, death investigation, research design, expert witness testimony, and forensic science. Completion of this program will prepare students to continue their graduate education in a doctoral program and/or work as a forensic anthropologist or medicolegal death investigator.
Core Curriculum
Required courses include:
- Forensic Anthropology Techniques
- Forensic Anthropological Procedures
- Anatomical Sciences
- Human Anatomy and Osteology
- Special Topics in Forensic Anthropology: Crime Scene Awareness
- Expert Witness Testimony
- Experimental Design and Statistics
- Advanced Osteology
- Forensic Anthropology Seminar
- Topics in Forensic Anthropology
- Applied Forensic Anthropology
- Field Methods in Forensic Anthropology
- Research in Forensic Anthropology
Elective Courses in Anthropology and Archaeology
Students are strongly encouraged to complete selected courses in the departments of Anthropology and Archaeology on the Charles River Campus.
Elective Courses in Biomedical Forensic Sciences
Students may complete certain courses in the Biomedical Forensic Sciences program. Recommended courses include Medicolegal Death Investigation and Forensic Pathology.
