There is a shortage of document examiners in the criminal justice system due to the limited education and training programs available across the United States. Preparation to become a document examiner is usually accomplished through on the job apprenticeship programs at local police departments.

How the program works:

This 12-credit, four-course undergraduate certificate program offers you the courses necessary to prepare you for the experiential part of the document examination discipline, and can be completed in one year or less.

This certificate is ideal if you:

have a different undergraduate degree and are interested in changing your career path
are currently a crime scene investigator but lack the academic credentials and require continuing education
don't have a science degree and are looking for an alternative path within forensic science.

Maryland's No. 1 Forensic Science College for 2024

Universities.com has again ranked The University of Baltimore the No. 1 forensic science college in Maryland. Check out all of UBalt's renowned undergraduate and graduate forensics offerings.

Among the best in the U.S.

Study.com has ranked our bachelor of science program as No. 5 among the best bachelor's degrees in computer forensics in the country.

Admission Information

Important Note

This certificate is not certified for financial aid eligibility as a stand-alone program. If you apply to and enroll in this program only, financial aid cannot be used.

Qualifications

a 3.0 cross-institutional cumulative grade point average
a minimum of 60 transferable credits
permission of the program director

Apply Online

When you're ready, our online application will only take you a few minutes to complete. Before you submit the application, you’ll be asked to use your credit card or bank account to pay the $35 application fee.
Insider tips: The earlier you apply and submit a completed application, the faster you’ll receive an admission decision. Each one of your supporting admission documents may be sent individually. Your admission portal will keep track of what the UBalt Admission team has received.
- When you attend an information session or discuss your application with an Admission counselor be sure to get your application fee waiver code and save yourself $35.

Submit Your Transcripts From All Previous Institutions

Official transcript(s). Request that an official transcript of all prior college or university work (including graduate courses, if applicable) be sent directly from each institution attended; electronic transcripts sent to documents@ubalt.edu are encouraged.

What Our Graduates Do

You'll learn:

how to protect and examine documents of forensic and historic significance

how to use state-of-the-art equipment in the examination of documents

how to record and collect evidence, maintaining the scientific integrity of the evidence in addition to the legal chain of custody

how to present and defend the findings of the investigation within a legal framework, either in courts or in deposition.

Common Roles

Forensic Pathologies

Fingerprint Examiner

Forensic Anthropologist

Crime Scene Investigator

A Message from Dean Roger Hartley

We believe that public service is the highest of callings, and an opportunity to spend a fantastic career improving lives.

Roger E. Hartley Dean, College of Public Affairs

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