THE AA DEGREE
Back in Spring 2004, when Weatherford College colleague Erin Mackenzie (Biology) and I (Don Jacobs, Psychology) began a dialog of choice ourselves we had just completed a week-long investigation into PROS and CONS of ALL potential FS degree emphasis; we decide upon the AA pathway because:
- We absolutely felt (and still do) that FORS courses are academic transfer courses that must articulate into university interdisciplinary Bachelor's degrees. As Forensic Science has, by its nature and practice, an interdisciplinary pedigree (biology, chemistry, physics & psychology & anthropology & criminal justice, ETC) students require horizontal course offerings--courses with great breadth of understanding--BOTH at the 2-year level and including the Bachelor's degree in many cases...
- After careful analysis of both the AS (Associate of Science) and AA (Associate of Arts) degree requirements, the AA path offered 5 electives instead of only 1 elective for the AS degree. Five electives allow program chairs to insert into the degree pathway the courses that represent the all-important eclectic interdisciplinary sciences (in our view). In the path, students could choose any 5 the following:
- PSYC 2302 Applied Psych: Intro to Criminal Psychology
- PSYC 2389 Academic Cooperative: Clinical Psychology
- PSYC 2307 Adolescent Psychology I: The Adolescent Brain
- CRIJ 2314 Criminal Investigation
- CRIJ 1310 Criminal Law
- ANTH 2389: Forensic Anthropology
- ANTH 2301: Physical Anthropology (with Osteology)
open doors for top students and, may in fact, pave the way for obtaining a Masters Degree via tuition reimbursement. While committed to a Bachelor's degree more doors open most importantly the highly coveted INTERNSHIP.
For example, my former teaching assistant in forensic science at Weatherford College, Ashleigh Portales, provides a helpful model student for this career path philosophy. Now in her senior year at UTA, Ashleigh obtained an Internship with a local police department in Dallas County. (Ashleigh met this individual who offered her the Internship at one of our Forensic Science conferences--an absolute requirement for successful programs at all levels I will soon address). Ashley has excelled as a civilian CSI in her first and only Internship. Factoring in her academic course work at WC & UTA combined with her timely Internship, Ashleigh has been offered full time employment as a civilian CSI (non-police officer status) upon graduation in May. She represents the best case scenario we had in mind way back in 2004 when we chose the AA degree. The AA articulates well with UTA interdisciplinary degree (BSIS). My student will make in the vicinity of 50K in her first job.
THE AS DEGREE
Some of our colleagues across the State have chosen the AS degree, a natural choice for students seeking Criminalistics laboratory exposure with focused and indepth course of study in the natural sciences enhanced by additional math. For example, students can graduate with 16 hours of natural science, plus an additional 6 hours of required math.
The AS degree leads predictably into university BS degrees in forensic chemistry. In fact, one of our senior advisors, Dr. Artur Isenberg of The UNT Health Science Center offers a Masters in Forensic Chemistry at UNT Fort Worth characterized by a 100% placement rate. Recall that this degree allows for only 1 elective; therefore the AS is more of a vertical degree--focused upon more indepth knowledge in the natural sciences, in contrast to the horizontal AA degree that stretches ACROSS DISCIPLINES.
THE AAS DEGREE
Some of our colleagues have chosen the AAS degree that focuses upon occupational competencies such as crime scene investigation (CSI) preparation within, for example, the Criminal Justice AAS degree. Courses such as Crime Scene Investigation (CRIJ 2401) would be the focus of this pathway along with other workforce-type courses. As many vocational courses are termed "workforce preparatory courses" or WECM courses , described in the Workforce Education Manual of the Texas Coordinating Board of approved courses, they are by nature NOT academic transfer courses listed in the ACGM--Academic Course Guide Manual. (All of our graduates are told upfront the value of obtaining a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Forensic Science.) Therefore, for program chairs offering a FORS AAS degree requires taking stock of placement rates upon graduation and other criteria associated with WECM for continuation of this degree pathway making the FORS AAS degree not better or worse than the AA or AS just DIFFERENT.
CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Yet another pathway for Forensic Science preparation exists with a Certification program. As I am less familiar with this path than all others, I would ask that colleagues across the state who are offering this pathway, please educate me on the PROS & CONS by sending me an email (djacobs@wc.edu) so I may have this helpful information.
FORENSIC SCIENCE CONFERENCES
I have found that well planned Forensic Science conferences to be almost a NECESSITY to marketing ALL FORS programs. The "conference experience" brings communities together via law enforcement, nurses, and other practitioners into the orbit of education by offering meaningful CEU accreditation. There exists many ways and venues for this to occur during the long semesters. I strongly urge SPRING (March, April, & May) conferences. This timeline allows conference preparation in the fall by lining up vendors, speakers, and other attractions.
My duties at WC have precluded me from participating in conferences during the week, as weekends (especially Saturday), are the only open times for me. However, I can offer a bit of wisdom to those who can be more actively involved in their own conference presentations. Please let me know if your campus would be interested in how a conference might become part of your FORS marketing plan. My email address is djacobs@wc.edu or phone at 817-598-6431.
Please make plans to met me and other FORS colleagues across the State at our TCCTA conference in Austin this year.....We have two vital breakout sessions with all the latest updates
All for now, but as always, more EACH MONTH...check around the 10th of each month for THE LATEST NEWS...djacobs
