Forensic Nursing Certificate
There is a nonrefundable application fee of $50 to declare candidacy in this program.
Professional Certificate in Forensic Nursing
ONLINE PROGRAM
If you are interested in investigative sciences and victim advocacy, consider the challenging field of forensic nursing. Forensic nurses work with detectives at crime scenes to preserve, document and collect evidence; they treat survivors of assaults or violent accidents; and work with death investigators, law enforcement, and the legal community. As a forensic nurse, you can pursue a wide array of career opportunities in medical examiners' offices, law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, and specialized hospital units.
Participants in the certificate program will:
- Identify and properly collect forensic evidence within the health care setting to ensure that it will withstand legal scrutiny.
- Communicate with the various members of the multi-disciplinary forensic team, including victim advocates, law enforcement, and the legal community.
- Determine treatment for triage and emergency intervention for patients who exhibit potential forensic issues.
- Identify basic policies and procedures required for conducting sexual assault examinations for children and adults.
- Analyze the social and political implications of escalating violence as it relates to law enforcement, criminal justice and domestic living.
Who Can Benefit?
This program is designed for nurses and other licensed medical professionals in the health care and social service delivery fields who are looking to explore new career paths. Intended participants include registered nurses, LVNs/LPNs, paramedics, and other licensed medical professionals. Each course provides California BRN credit for nurses.
Course Schedule
Completion Information
Completion Requirements
To earn the certificate, students must successfully complete (grade C or better) 16 units: 14 required units plus two elective units or two units of transfer credit as detailed below under "Transfer Credit."
There is no specific order in which courses must be taken, although it is recommended that you take the introduction course near the beginning of your studies if possible.
Completion Time
The certificate program can typically be completed in nine to 18 months.
Cost
The cost for the certificate program is approximately $4,200, including tuition and textbooks.
Prerequisites
To participate, you must be a registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse or equivalent, nurse practitioner, physician, physician's assistant, SANE certified nurse, licensed paramedic, or have the consent of the UCR Extension program coordinator.
Transfer Credit
Participants may transfer a maximum of two elective units from an accredited university or college. Elective courses must be related to forensic sciences, criminology or similar programs. Official transcripts are required. Registered Nurse continuing education totaling 20 hours or more may be acceptable in lieu of university/college level credit. These hours may be a combination of professional meetings, SANE training and other workshops where continuing education was earned.
Instructors
Instructors
- Cari Caruso, RN SANE-A, owner/CEO, Forensic Nurse Professionals, Pasadena
- Patricia Drown, Ph.D., Differential Response Team, Coachella Valley
- Brian P. Foxworth, M.S., Hospice Chaplain, Charter Hospice, Colton
- Constance Hoyt, MSN, RN, charter member, International Association of Forensic Nurses
- Kristine M. Karcher, B.S.N., Chief Deputy Medical Examiner, Coos County, Oregon
- Karen Phillips, RN, JD, Snyder, Turner, Phillips & Ober, LLC., MA.
- Jennifer Rebecca Schindell, B.S.N., Forensic Nurse Examiner and Deputy Medical Examiner, Linn County, Albany, OR
- Mary A. Reina, MSN, RN, Director, Forensic Services Unit, SANE-A, SANE-P, Antelope Valley Hospital, Lancaster
- Ellen M. Farrell, B.S.N., Charge Nurse, Emergency Department, Winter Haven Hospital, Winter Haven, Florida
- Cynthia Ferguson, M.P.H., Department Head of Clinical Services, United States Navy, Port Hueneme
Instructor Opportunities
Interested in becoming an instructor at UCR Extension? Find out how.
Additional Information
Textbook Information
If a textbook is required, information is provided in the course listing when scheduled, on the confirmation you receive after enrolling, or by e-mail for an online class. Please note that several courses utilize the same text.
Delivery Method
All courses are offered online. You will need access to the Internet, an e-mail account and MS Word 98 or later (all graphics will open in Word). A high-speed connection such as DSL or cable is highly recommended. To learn more about online courses at UCR Extension, visit our Online Course Information page.
Professional Credit
All courses provide California Board of Registered Nursing continuing education credit. UCR Extension is an accredited provider.
Advisory Board
- Janet Barber, MSN, RN, FAAFS (Forensic Science in Health Care, Regulatory Guidance), Indiana
- Faye Battiste-Otto, RN (Certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner), California
- Paul Clements, PhD, RN (Mental Health Forensics), New Mexico
- Sharon Crowley, PhN, MN, RN (Sexual Assault), California
- Catherine Dougherty, RN, MS (Transplant and Tissue Re-plantation), New York
- Norman Miller, MBA, American Forensic Nurses, California
Contact Information
Jennifer Campbell
(951) 827-5804
sciences@ucx.ucr.edu
