FEPAC FAQ's |
The Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) |
| What is FEPAC? |
| FEPAC is a standing committee of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) . The mission of the FEPAC is to maintain and enhance the quality of forensic science education through a formal evaluation and recognition of college (or University) level academic programs. The primary function of the FEPAC is to develop and maintain standards and administer an accreditation program that recognizes and distinguishes high quality undergraduate and graduate forensic science programs. |
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How many programs are accredited? |
| In the United States, 25 academic programs have undergone the accreditation process since 2003. Of that number 13 are accredited at the undergraduate level (B.Sc.). In Canada, only one institution offers degrees that have received full accreditation and that is the Department of Forensic Science at Laurentian University. |
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Why is accreditation necessary? |
Due to a large increase in the number of forensic science programs in the United States (and coincidentally in Canada), concern was expressed as to what exactly was being taught in these programs. As a result, the U.S. National Institute of Justice (NIJ) issued a report in 1999 entitled “Forensic Science: Review of Status and Needs.” The report described the educational and training needs of the forensic science community as “immense.” Among the recommendations contained in the report was the establishment of the following: |
- National standards for education in forensic sciences,
- An independent, community-wide, consensus-building, standard-setting body such as a technical working group for education in forensic sciences, and,
- An accreditation system for forensic science education programs.
This resulted in the formation of the FEPAC.
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What does the accreditation mean? |
| FEPAC accreditation is a means of assuring students and employers that the forensic science degree at this institution has been evaluated under the FEPAC system and that it has met or exceeded all of their standards. Students are now able to measure the legitimacy of a forensic science program. Students can rest assured that the qualifications of the faculty and program head, and the curriculum requirements, the policies and procedures, and facilities have all been evaluated by FEPAC. |
What is the difference between getting a FEPAC accredited degree and getting one that is not accredited? |
| Forensic science labs in North America, as well as forensic science graduate programs have begun looking at the degrees held by their applicants. With the changes that have been coming due to quality assurance standards, forensic laboratories will more readily look at an applicant with a FEPAC accredited degree. The FEPAC accreditation tells the forensic lab and other potential employers that your degree meets specific educational standards. Therefore, these graduates have a better chance of employment or acceptance to forensic graduate programs. |
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