Forensic Toxicology & Analytical Genetics

The Master of Forensic Toxicology and Analytical Genetics degree prepares professionals with an advanced training in focused areas of forensic science while developing workplace skills highly valued by employers in related fields. The program has two areas of concentration: one concentration is focused on Forensic Toxicology/Chemistry and the second on Forensic/Analytical Genetics. Through a common core curriculum, students in both concentrations will have foundational information and a skill set in advanced forensic science, writing, communication, professionalism, ethics, legal perspectives and workplace- specific laboratory skills. Through a rigorous targeted finishing curriculum in either concentration, including rigorous internship experiences and an individualized program of cognate elective courses the graduates will be competitive for workforce deployment in the areas of private industry drug testing, private DNA analysis, forensic governmental divisions, and hospital clinical labs. In addition, this program provides individuals with advanced skills and training that prepare them for rapid career advancement and leadership positions. The program is housed in the Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology which has a longstanding history in graduate education. A link to the department’s programs in education is provided https://toxicology.med.uky.edu/tox-education

• Students seeking admission to the Graduate School must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the term for which s/he is admitted, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. An accredited U.S. institution is one that is accredited by the appropriate regional agency (Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern or Western Association of Colleges and Schools). A recognized foreign institution is an institution that is recognized by that nation's Ministry of Education or similar authority as a postsecondary, academic degree-granting institution.
• An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work is required by the Graduate School. Individual departments may require higher grade point averages.
• Submission of scores on the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) unless their chosen program indicates otherwise. The Graduate School has no minimum GRE score requirement; individual programs may set specific score requirements and in some cases may require the advanced portion of the GRE.
• International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. The University of Kentucky requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based). For IELTS, a minimum mean band score of 6.5 is required. Students may also use the Duolingo English Test (only tests taken after July 15, 2019 will be accepted. The minimum score will be 115, and students recommended for admission may also be interviewed by a CESL evaluator. TOEFL essentials may also be used and the minimum overall score is 9.
• Domestic applicants (U.S. citizens or resident aliens) must pay a $65 application fee; international applicants must pay a $75 fee. The application fee is non-refundable.