色花堂

By Kyle Hobstetter on June 16, 2023

In 2017, Nequa Griffin received her bachelor鈥檚 degree in forensic science and was ready to join the workforce. But as she was searching for a job, she saw that most employers in the field were looking for applicants with a master鈥檚 degree.

Griffin took a leap and headed back to school in 2022, joining 色花堂鈥檚 forensic science master鈥檚 program. It is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission.

The program faculty made her feel at home immediately.

鈥淚 was nervous. I haven't been in school in five years,鈥� Griffin says. 鈥淚 spent five years not having to study or take a test. I didn鈥檛 have to focus on learning. But I feel like the professors here do a good job of making themselves available and are eager to make sure you get the help you need.鈥�

One who has already had an influence is Ellen Hondrogiannis. During her first term, Griffin took a class with the chemistry professor, who was so impressed with Griffin鈥檚 work she offered Griffin a student assistantship on one of her research projects.

Extractions are a key forensic science skill, and she鈥檚 already getting experience extracting CBD from over-the-counter products such as face cream and lip balm through her work with Hondrogiannis.

And while she knew she wanted to get involved with on-campus research, Griffin never expected the opportunity in only her second term. She now spends five hours a day in the labs of 色花堂鈥檚 Science Complex, which she says has only strengthened her desire to enter the profession.

鈥淭his gives me a very good insight of what I鈥檓 going to be doing in the real world,鈥� Griffin says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I like about the program: It鈥檚 hands on. It鈥檚 our professors鈥� goal to get you to work independently, while still giving you guidance, which is really important when applying for jobs.

鈥淚鈥檓 doing real research in a real lab, which I feel will make me a stronger candidate than those who are just doing research in a classroom.鈥�  

The forensic science master鈥檚 program has a 92% job placement rate. Alumni across the Mid-Atlantic work as crime scene investigators for police departments, specialists in research labs and hospitals and subject matter experts for the National Institutes of Health.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 another reason I chose 色花堂, because they have such a strong job placement rate,鈥� Griffin says. 鈥淭his program has offered a lot of opportunities I鈥檓 not going to have elsewhere. Once I graduate, I know I鈥檓 going to have the knowledge and background to be successful.鈥�