YSU leads Ohio schools with popular major
The program requires chemistry as well as criminal justice courses.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University's new forensic science program has attracted more than 80 students majoring in it since it was introduced about a year ago, and one student has already graduated.
Television shows like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" are part of the reason for the interest, said Dr. John Yemma, dean of YSU's Bitonte College of Health and Human Services. But another reason is that YSU has the only forensic science program in Ohio.
Though there were 80 students majoring in it in the early summer, Yemma expects the number will be more than 100 when fall enrollment numbers are finalized. He also expects overall enrollment in the College of Health and Human Services to be up by nearly 14 percent.
Yemma said he researches programs well -- he's put in all of the college's 31 programs -- and tries to determine how popular they might be. He did the same when he brought forensic science on board.
"This one is a little more than I expected," he said.
The program requires chemistry as well as criminal justice courses. Students also participate in externships at a Cuyahoga County lab and internships at an area office of the Bureau of Criminal Identification & amp; Investigation.
"I didn't want a forensic program that was strictly a lecture program, he explained. "I'm happy with it because they're doing what they're going to do."
And demand in the industry is high.
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The first YSU graduate in forensic science started working in Cuyahoga County two days after graduation, Yemma said. (The student had started the program as part of an individualized curriculum and completed it after the forensic science major was formally approved by the Ohio Board of Regents.)
"There's a big need," Yemma said. "A lot of cities are opening up labs because of the time line. ... I think it will only grow."
Yemma explained that the time it takes for local courts to get lab test results from regional labs is often long; cities are opening their own labs to cut that time down so court cases are not delayed.
Students in YSU's program learn fingerprinting, DNA and blood analysis.
Yemma said he now seeks to add to the program an educator who has worked in the field and "done it all." Though YSU was in the forefront of introducing such a program in Ohio, Yemma said he expects other schools will follow.
"We'll compete well," he said. "We're doing well here. Whatever they [students] need, I put in and I think that keeps them here."