The University of Central Oklahoma hosted students from Deer Creek High School for an inside look into the W. Roger Webb Forensic Science Institute (FSI) and programs, Monday, March 11.
Through an exclusive concurrent enrollment partnership announced earlier this year between UCO and Deer Creek Public Schools, UCO will offer a variety of concurrent classes on the Deer Creek High School campus beginning in fall 2024. As part of the partnership, students will have the opportunity to take college-credit forensics course work at Deer Creek High School.
“The University of Central Oklahoma takes tremendous pride in our top-tier, nationally recognized Forensic Science Institute,” said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.
“Through our concurrent course work offerings with Deer Creek Public Schools, we are expanding the university’s commitment to forensic science education at all levels. This program offers Oklahoma high school students an invaluable opportunity that sets them on a path toward success as they enter college and consider pursuing a degree in forensic science.”
UCO’s FSI is devoted to providing a world-class, academic experience to all students through a unique multidisciplinary program. The institute is a comprehensive training and research organization in all aspects of evidence collection, preservation, analysis, reporting and testimony.
“This innovative partnership with UCO aligns with our unwavering commitment to create the best possible academic environment for our students. We continually look for opportunities to empower our high schoolers for success beyond graduation,” said Jason Perez, Ed.D., superintendent of Deer Creek Public Schools.
“This unique partnership not only integrates college-level forensic science instruction seamlessly into our school day, but also presents an opportunity for our students to earn college credit at the same time. We are excited to see this program come to fruition in the fall.”
Interested Deer Creek students received an introduction to forensics and the UCO FSI from Mark McCoy, Ed.D., interim director and dean of the FSI, as well as a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities and participated in a mock crime scene investigation in the new Crime Scene House.
“I am pleased we will offer Deer Creek High School’s concurrent enrollment students the opportunity to take our Introduction to Forensic Science course,” McCoy said.
“This comprehensive course will provide students with an overview of contemporary crime laboratories and investigative methodologies. Students who take the course will emerge prepared to make impactful contributions to their future academic interests.”
The institute has overseen the undergraduate and graduate forensic science programs at Central since 2009. The UCO FSI has seen significant growth from its inception—from fewer than 100 students in 2009, to nearly 1,000 forensic science majors. It is the largest forensic science education program in the country and is ranked as a top institution in the nation for forensic science. The FSI recently was approved to offer Central’s first doctoral degree—the Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in forensic science—which will begin in fall 2024.
For more information about
UCO’s FSI, visit https://www.uco.edu/fsi/.
