Application Procedures
Admissions are granted according to curriculum and space available in each program. The M.S.F.S./Thesis and Specialization program typically begins with the fall term, but the Department may admit students for the spring term if space is available in the applicant’s chosen specialty. Applicants to the M.S.F.S. options in Forensic Science Administration and Forensic Document Examination may begin with either the fall or spring semester.
All required information, as outlined below, must arrive by the specified deadline for an application to be considered. The exceptional M.S.F.S. candidate who applies well in advance of the deadline may receive an early offer of admission.
Online classes greatly reduce the need for moving to the campus area. Students pursuing options in Forensic Science Administration and Forensic Document Examination may complete all courses online. Students in the Thesis/Specialization degree program may complete the first year of coursework online before relocating to campus. Because OSU has no university housing in Tulsa, prospective students may want to investigate rental costs on Web sites like Apartment Finder and Apartmentguide.com. These sources, provided for the convenience of applicants, are neither associated with nor endorsed by OSU.
Deadlines
Application materials, including all transcripts and recommendations, must be sent by the specified due date and have a postmark date no later than the application deadline.
International students should submit the International Application for Admission. Upon admission to the program, the applicant must present a Financial Guarantee before enrolling.
Master’s applications are due:
- March 1 for admission in fall of the same calendar year
- July 1 for admission in fall of the same year to Master’s options only
- October 1 for admission in spring of the next calendar year
Exceptional candidates who complete applications in advance of the deadlines may receive early offers. Late applications may be accepted when positions for the upcoming term remain open.
Applications for Special Graduate Admission are due by August 1 for fall enrollment or by December 10 for spring enrollment. Graduate students from other OSU campuses must submit this application in order to enroll in courses at the OSU Center for Health Sciences.
Unless otherwise indicated, applications and forms should be sent to:
Student Affairs, ATTN: Graduate Coordinator
OSU Center for Health Sciences
1111 West 17th Street
Tulsa, OK 74107-1898
Required Information
For an application to be considered, the following information is needed:
- Application for Graduate Admission for the OSU-CHS campus. International applicants should use the International application.
- Application fee of $40.00 (or $75.00 USD for International applicants) in the form of a check or money order payable to OSU-CHS.
- Letter of Application, which should include: Personal career goals and/or reasons for choosing the program.
- Area of Specialization - All M.S.F.S. applicants must identify in the letter and on the application the discipline of interest for advanced studies. For Thesis/Specialization applicants, the area of interest and research must correspond to one of four areas for which the program currently provides faculty and research facilities: forensic biology/DNA, forensic pathology/microbiology, forensic psychology, forensic toxicology. NOTE: The M.S.F.S. program does not train individuals for careers as forensic pathologists or forensic psychologists, as those professions require other advanced degrees.
- A brief description of experience or qualifications to be verified with supporting information (recommendations, transcripts, or employment verification).
- Any other important or relevant information that the applicant would like the Graduate Faculty Committee to consider in reviewing the application.
For Master’s applicants only
- Official transcript from each institution attended after high school should be sent directly by the college or university to the OSU-CHS Student Affairs office. International applicants are required to have all international educational documents (transcripts, mark sheets, diplomas, degree certificates) submitted and evaluated by World Education Service (www.wes.org). Please select the Course-by-Course evaluation with the ICAP option.
- Three Letters of Recommendation sent directly from the individuals recommending the applicant, with the Graduate Program Recommendation form attached and signed by the applicant.
- The Verification of Forensics-Related Employment Form, required only for applicants applying to the M.S.F.S. options in Forensic Science Administration or Forensic Document Examination, to be sent directly by the employer to the Program office, as specified on the form.
- Required test scores must arrive by the due date. (See details below.)
Required Tests and Scores
Requirements for admissions tests are outlined below. If you require any special accommodations, please make arrangements in advance directly with GRE; for the MAT, contact the testing center.
- GRE test is required of Master’s applicants for Thesis/Specialization with a recommended score on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of at least 1000, with the analytical writing score also considered as a factor. For the new GRE Revised General Test, the recommended score is an equivalent percentile score OR an equivalent score on the concordance table from GRE. See www.gre.com for test information.
- MAT (Miller Analogy Test) is accepted only for Master’s applicants for options in Administration and FDE, with a recommended score above the 50th percentile. See http://www.milleranalogies.com for test information.
- Degree applicants for options in Administration and FDE may take either the GRE or the MAT.
- With permission from the Director of Forensic Sciences, professionals with advanced degrees may be allowed to substitute the following scores for the GRE: Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Dental College Admission Test (DAT); passing scores on the national board examination in dentistry, nursing, medicine, psychology, or accounting; or passing scores on the state bar exam.
- International applicants must also take the International TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Required minimum scores are: for the TOEFL, 100 on the iBT with least 20 on the written portion; or 600 on the PBT with 5 on the TWE; or for the IELTS, a score of 7.0. These scores exceed minimum requirements for OSU international admission.
- Anyone requiring special accommodations for disabilities should make arrangements in advance directly with GRE; or, for the MAT, contact the testing center.
Financial Guarantee for International Applicants
International applicants to the M.S.F.S must also submit a Financial Guarantee Form, available at http://www.healthsciences.okstate.edu/student/forms/financial-guarantee.pdf.
Timely Reporting of Results
To assure that test scores arrive before the deadline and go to the correct address, applicants should use the codes below and take the required test(s) at least six weeks before the application deadline. If a testing center does not offer an option to fill in these code(s), have results sent to the Student Affairs Office/Graduate Coordinator at the address given below. Failure to follow these directions may result in the application not being considered because of a missed deadline.
- 0612 (for Osteopathic) as the Departmental Code for the GRE and TOEFL/TWE. Since GRE offers no Forensics code, the Osteopathic code assures that scores go to the OSU Center for Health Sciences, the only OSU campus with an Osteopathic college.
- 6546 (for Oklahoma State University) as the Institutional Code on the GRE and TOEFL/TWE
- 2183 on the MAT as the Recipient Code for the OSU Graduate Program in Forensic Sciences (only code needed)
- Address to list if no code is available:
Student Affairs, ATTN: Graduate Coordinator
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
1111 West 17th Street
Tulsa, OK 74107-1898
Interviews for Master’s applicants for Thesis/Specialization
Eligible applicants to the thesis program must complete a phone or on-campus interview with the lead faculty member for the chosen area. The Program office will initiate and schedule these according to initial rankings after the application period closes and before an offer is made. Interviews for wait-listed students will be scheduled as openings occur.
Review of Applications
The Graduate Faculty Committee meets to review completed applications after the application deadline. “Complete application” is defined as the filled-in application form with all required supporting information, submitted by specified deadlines. Applicants are considered on the basis of:
- Academic background, including major area of study, grade point average, and degree(s) attained
- Scores on required qualifying examination
- Letters of recommendation
- Other pertinent information from the applicant’s letter or employment history
- The ability of the Graduate Program to support the applicant’s career goals
The Graduate Faculty Committee also may extend an early offer of admission to the exceptional M.S.F.S. applicant who has all required materials submitted in advance of the deadline.
Notification
Applicants receive notification of status within six weeks of the application deadline. Any offer of admission requires signed acceptance and a $100 deposit. Applicants to the Master’s program may be required to respond within two to four weeks of receiving an offer to secure a place in the program.
Information Packets and Other Requests
To request an application packet by mail, provide your name, e-mail address, phone numbers, and mailing address with zip or postal code. Please direct all inquires and requests to forensic@okstate.edu or call 1.800.677.1972, Ext. 11145 or 918.561.1145.
See Forms and Materials for an Application Checklist showing all tasks required for application.
