In-person Program

    Forensic Science High School Course

    by Summer Springboard

    A hands-on pre-college course where students investigate mock crime scenes, analyze forensic evidence and present findings through team casework.

    Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
    Forensic Science High School Course
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    Forensic Science Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Recently closed

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Los Angeles; Nashville; New Haven

    Cost

    From $2,498

    Duration

    1-2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    ScienceLaw & justiceResearch Methods

    Accommodation: Residential or commuter

    Meals: All meals residential; lunch commuter

    Sessions / cadence: 5 x 4h or 9 x 3h

    Tutors / faculty: Working forensic professionals

    Campus experience: Labs, excursions and campus life

    Forensic Science Course summary

    This is a practical pre-college introduction to forensic science, combining laboratory concepts with simulated investigations and professional field experiences.

    Students examine fingerprints, fibers, blood patterns and DNA, then use the evidence to reconstruct mock crimes in teams.

    The strongest fit is a curious, methodical student exploring forensic science, criminalistics, laboratory work or related justice careers.

    What is Forensic Science High School Course?

    The Forensic Science High School Course is a Summer Springboard pre-college program built around the scientific investigation of crime scenes. Students explore forensic biology, fingerprint analysis, trace evidence, blood-spatter dynamics and DNA profiling through case studies and practical activities.

    Team investigations lead into a realistic crime-scene simulation and a courtroom-style presentation of findings. Depending on campus, students may also visit professional laboratories and learn directly from forensic academics or working criminalists.

    Why Succeed highlights Forensic Science Course

    • The course moves beyond crime-show stereotypes by teaching how evidence is collected, preserved, analyzed and presented.

    • Its mock crime scene gives students a practical investigation to complete rather than relying on lectures alone.

    • Laboratory and institute visits connect classroom techniques with professional forensic practice.

    • Named instructors bring experience from forensic laboratories, law enforcement, universities and expert testimony.

    • Residential and commuter options let families compare different levels of campus immersion.

    Who is Forensic Science Course for?

    Best for

    Methodical students interested in crime-scene work, forensic laboratories, scientific evidence or justice-related careers.

    Not ideal if

    You want an accredited qualification, a purely theoretical science class or a low-cost day activity without an application process.

    Is Forensic Science Course worth it?

    The course can be worthwhile for a student who wants to test forensic science through realistic evidence work before choosing a university subject or career direction. The combination of simulations, professional instruction and laboratory exposure provides more insight than passive career research.

    The limitation is the substantial tuition and, for residential students, the additional planning involved in campus travel. It should be chosen for genuine interest in forensic investigation and scientific reasoning, not simply for the host university name.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    From $2,498; includes Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, meals and excursions., Two-week residential tuition includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes the academic course, weekday lunch and excursions., Commuter programming generally runs from 9am to 5pm on weekdays..

    Accommodation

    Residential or commuter

    Meals

    All meals residential; lunch commuter

    Provider details

    Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    1-2 weeks; Los Angeles; Nashville; New Haven.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does Forensic Science Course need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high during the campus week.

    Best started

    Begin four to six weeks before the next application deadline to prepare forms, payment, travel and any supporting documents.

    Main challenge

    Reaching careful conclusions from several forms of evidence.

    Typical preparation

    • Review basic scientific measurement and evidence-handling concepts.

    • Practise explaining how observations support a conclusion without overstating certainty.

    • Gather academic, health and travel documents early, particularly for residential participation.

    • Discuss accommodation or support needs with the provider before submitting the application.

    Useful if

    You enjoy biology, chemistry, observation, structured problem-solving and teamwork.

    What do students do on Forensic Science Course?

    Students learn core forensic techniques and apply them through evidence analysis, casework, a simulated crime scene and a presentation of findings.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Study how forensic evidence is collected, preserved and used in legal proceedings.

    2. 2

      Examine fingerprints, hair and fiber traces, blood patterns and DNA evidence.

    3. 3

      Work in teams to analyze case studies and reconstruct simulated crimes.

    4. 4

      Process a realistic mock crime scene and form evidence-based conclusions.

    5. 5

      Visit a forensic laboratory or institute associated with the selected campus.

    6. 6

      Present the team's findings in a courtroom-style or moot-court format.

    Forensic Science Course dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Final admission deadline

    17 May 2026

    Latest verified general-admission deadline.

    Reference date

    Vanderbilt Session 1

    14-26 June 2026

    Two-week Nashville program.

    Reference date

    UCLA Session 1

    21 June-3 July 2026

    Two-week Los Angeles program.

    Reference date

    Yale Session 3

    28 June-4 July 2026

    One-week New Haven course.

    Reference date

    UCLA Session 2

    5-17 July 2026

    Two-week Los Angeles program.

    Reference date

    Yale Session 6

    19-25 July 2026

    One-week New Haven course.

    Reference date

    UCLA Session 3

    19-31 July 2026

    Two-week Los Angeles program.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Students in Grades 9-12

    • Minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent

    • At least eighth grade completed before the program

    • English proficiency required for international students

    • Students must meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria

    • Students must follow staff instructions in English

    How much does Forensic Science Course cost?

    Program tuition

    From $2,498 — Campus and residential choice affect tuition.

    Funding or discounts

    • Course supplement: $250 — Mandatory for Forensic Science.
    • Program deposit: $600 — Paid to hold the student's place.
    • Application fee: From $99 — Mandatory and nonrefundable.
    • Need-based scholarship: Up to 30% residential — Up to 60% of commuter tuition.
    • Eligible discounts: 5% — Published hero, multi-program, sibling and referral terms vary.

    What's included

    Residential tuition includes the academic course, lodging, meals and excursions., Two-week residential tuition includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes the academic course, weekday lunch and excursions., Commuter programming generally runs from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

    How to apply to Forensic Science Course

    1. 1

      Ask a parent or guardian to register for the official application portal.

    2. 2

      Confirm the registration email and complete the account details.

    3. 3

      Create a new application from the portal dashboard.

    4. 4

      Select the campus, session, Forensic Science course and tuition type.

    5. 5

      Enter the student's information and complete the required application materials.

    6. 6

      Pay the $600 deposit and application fee, then submit the application.

    7. 7

      Complete any additional forms released after acceptance.

    What does Forensic Science Course cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Crime-scene evidence

    Identify and collect fingerprints, fibers, blood patterns and DNA evidence.

    Forensic analysis

    Analyze crime-scene data and form conclusions supported by evidence.

    Team investigation

    Use case studies and simulations to reconstruct mock crimes collaboratively.

    Legal presentation

    Explain evidence and findings clearly in a courtroom-style presentation.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Forensic Science Course?

    A typical day during the program.

    Academic course

    Yale teaches 9am-1pm; UCLA and Vanderbilt generally teach 9am-noon.

    Excursion or lab

    Students join a course-specific laboratory visit, excursion, speaker session or activity.

    Campus enrichment

    Two-week programs may include college-readiness or personal-development workshops.

    Residential activities

    Dinner, clubs or social activities follow the academic day for residential students.

    Who teaches on Forensic Science Course?

    The named campus instructors include Professor Brooke Kammrath at Yale, retired forensic identification specialist Donna Thomas at UCLA and forensic biologist Benjamin DeBlanc at Vanderbilt. Their backgrounds span forensic laboratories, law enforcement, university teaching, DNA analysis and expert courtroom testimony.

    Instructor assignments may differ by campus and cycle.

    Where do students stay on Forensic Science Course?

    Residential plan

    • University residence halls: Students live in campus housing with basic furnishings, linens and shared facilities.
    • Meals and excursions: Residential tuition includes meals, excursions and the academic course.
    • Residential support: Program staff live in residence halls and remain available for emergencies around the clock.
    • Campus security: Residence halls use controlled access and campus security patrols operate 24 hours.

    Non-residential plan

    • Weekday participation: Commuters receive lunch, course access, excursions and daytime programming.

    Room occupancy and dining arrangements vary by campus; published examples include shared Yale rooms and UCLA triple rooms with communal bathrooms.

    What happens after Forensic Science Course?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Clarify interest in forensic science, criminalistics or crime-scene careers.

    Build practical experience discussing evidence-based conclusions.

    Develop observation, analysis, teamwork and presentation skills.

    Explore pathways such as forensic biology, laboratory analysis and pathology.

    Use the experience to inform future science or justice-related study choices.

    The course is exploratory and does not state that it awards academic credit or a professional credential.

    Where does Forensic Science Course take place?

    The course runs on campus-based Summer Springboard programs in Los Angeles, Nashville and New Haven. Depending on the location, professional field experiences may include police crime laboratories, the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science or other active forensic facilities.

    Summer Springboard operates independently of UCLA, Vanderbilt University and Yale University.

    Forensic Science Course FAQs

    It covers forensic biology, fingerprint analysis, trace evidence, blood-spatter dynamics, DNA profiling and the role of evidence in investigations and legal proceedings.

    Yes. Students complete team case studies, analyze evidence, process a simulated crime scene and present their conclusions in a courtroom-style format.

    The latest verified options were UCLA in Los Angeles, Vanderbilt University in Nashville and the Yale campus program in New Haven.

    Yale uses a one-week structure, while the UCLA and Vanderbilt options run for two weeks. Tuition, instructors, housing and excursions also vary by campus.

    Yes. The published commuter option includes the academic course, weekday lunch, excursions and daytime programming; residential tuition adds lodging, meals and evening activities.

    Named instructors include a forensic science professor, a retired forensic identification specialist and a police crime-laboratory forensic biologist. Instructor assignments depend on campus and cycle.

    Yes. Published experiences include the Henry C. Lee Institute, police crime laboratories and other professional forensic facilities, depending on campus.

    Summer Springboard publishes need-based scholarships covering up to 30% of residential tuition or 60% of commuter tuition, alongside several conditional 5% discounts.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Terra Education
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Essential Eligibility Criteria | Policies & Terms | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Main FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Vanderbilt Summer Program for Teens - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • 2026 HS 1-week Forensic Science V3
    • Forensic Science | Course | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 26 Aug 2026)

    • Course details checked

    • Campus options compared

    • Session dates reviewed

    • Tuition components separated

    • Eligibility requirements checked

    • Application process reviewed

    • Housing information compared

    • Policies and funding reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.