AAFS: AAFS Information

Arcadia University, Glenside, PA: Provisional Accreditation for the Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science (renewed 01/2006 for one year).

Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA: Full Accreditation (five-year term) for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, and Genetic Engineering with a concentration in Forensic Science (01/2005 - 01/2010).

Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY: Full Accreditation (five-year term) for the Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Forensic Science (01/2005 - 01/2010).

Florida International University, Miami, FL: Full Accreditation (five-year term) for both the Certificate Programs in conjunction with the Bachelor of Science Degree in a natural science such as chemistry or biology and the Master of Science in Forensic Science (01/2004 - 01/2009).

Marshall University, Huntington, WV: Full Accreditation (five-year term) for the Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science (01/2005 - 01/2010).

Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver, CO: Full Accreditation (five-year term) for the Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Chemistry with a concentration in Criminalistics (01/2004 - 01/2009).

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI: Full Accreditation (five-year term) for the Master of Science Degree Program (biology and chemistry tracks) (01/2004 - 01/2009).

Ohio University, Athens, OH: Conditional Accreditation (one-year term) for the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry Program (01/2006 - 01/2007).

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA: Full Accreditation (five-year term) for the Master of Science in Forensic Science Program (01/2006 - 01/2011).

West Chester University, West Chester, PA: Conditional Accreditation for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic and Toxicological Chemistry (renewed 01/2006 for one year).

West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV: Full Accreditation (five year term) for the Bachelor of Science - Forensic and Investigative Science Program (01/2005 - 01/2010).

The mission of the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) is to maintain and to enhance the quality of forensic science education through a formal evaluation and recognition of college-level academic programs. The primary function of the Commission is to develop and to maintain standards and to administer an accreditation program that recognizes and distinguishes high quality undergraduate and graduate forensic science programs.

FEPAC Call for Comments
Changes to FEPAC Accreditation Standards 2009

Pursuant to the Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) Policies & Procedures, 3.12 Substantive Change, the Commission must give constituents an opportunity to comment on any changes prior to recommending the adoption of those changes to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Board of Directors; therefore, I invite you to comment on the following changes. Changes are noted by bolded and underlined text. Send your comments to Nancy J. Jackson (njackson@aafs.org).

Standard 4.5 Faculty:
The program faculty shall be able to support fully the program's mission, goals, and objectives. Specifically, program faculty members and other instructional personnel in the program shall be appropriately qualified, by education and experience, and adequate in number to implement the instructional program. In addition, the number of program faculty members shall be sufficient to ensure the offering, on a regular basis, of the full range of courses needed for the degree program.

At least 50 percent of the full-time program faculty teaching in the undergraduate forensic science program shall have an appropriate doctoral degree; program faculty members with working experience in a forensic science laboratory are preferred. Program faculty includes any faculty who teaches a forensic science course or a support course designed specifically for the program. The scientific and educational capabilities of the program faculty should be appropriate to the major areas of the program.

Full-time program faculty members shall oversee all coursework and ensure its applicability to the program's mission, goals, and objectives.

The program shall have well-defined policies and procedures to recruit, appoint, and promote qualified program faculty, to evaluate the competence and performance of program faculty, and to support the professional development and advancement of program faculty.

Standard 5.5 Faculty:
The program faculty shall be able to fully support the program's mission, goals, and objectives. Specifically, program faculty members and other instructional personnel in the program shall be appropriately qualified, by education and experience, and adequate in number to implement the instructional program. In addition, the number of program faculty members shall be sufficient to ensure the offering, on a regular basis, of the full range of courses needed for the degree program.

All full-time program faculty teaching forensic science courses in the forensic science program must have at least a Master's degree; at least 50 percent of the full-time program faculty teaching forensic science courses in the forensic science program must have an appropriate doctoral degree. Program faculty includes any faculty member who teaches a forensic science course or a support course designed specifically for the program. The scientific and educational capabilities of the program faculty should be appropriate to the major areas of the program.

Full-time program faculty members shall oversee all coursework and ensure its applicability to the program's mission, goals, and objectives.

The program shall have well-defined policies and procedures to recruit, appoint, and promote qualified program faculty, to evaluate the competence and performance of program faculty, and to support the professional development and advancement of program faculty.

The following FEPAC Forms are available in PDF format. Click on the form number for a direct link.
    Application for Institutional Accreditation - Form 5.1.2
    Self-Study - Form 5.2
         � Guidance on Preparing the Self-Study
    Annual Report - Form 5.3
    Substantive Change Request - Form 5.4
    Application to be an On-Site Evaluator - Form 5.5
    On-Site Evaluator Conflict-of-Interest - Form 5.6
    Commissioner Ethics and Professionalism - Form 5.7
    On-Site Evaluator Ethics and Professionalism - Form 5.8
    On-Site Evaluator Survey - Form 5.11
    Program Post On-Site Visit Survey - Form 5.12

National Institute of Justice releases report of TWGED document.
Click Here for full text.

:: Non-Voting Members

Nancy J. Jackson
AAFS Staff
Director of Accreditation
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
410 N 21^st Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
(719) 636-1100
Fax: (719) 636-1993
njackson@aafs.org

Anjali R. Swienton, MFS, JD
Concordance Officer
SciLawForensics, Ltd
25 Walnutwood Court
Germantown, MD 20874
(301) 528-5050
Fax: (301) 540-1075
aswienton@scilawforensics.com