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News and Information about UF Forensic Science

University of Florida earns national recognition in distance education

By Linda Homewood

The American Distance Education Consortium has named the University of Florida Global Forensic Science program the winner of its 2006 national Award of Excellence in Distance Education.

The online program, which offers master’s degrees and graduate certificates in four areas of forensic science, was selected for the honor by a panel of 16 peer universities affiliated with the consortium.

Bill Riffee, Ph.D., UF College of Pharmacy dean, and Forensic Science Program Director Ian Tebbett, Ph.D., received the award along with a $5,000 stipend in May at the annual ADEC meeting in Washington, D.C. UF joins the ranks of Ohio State, Michigan State and Cornell universities ─ some of the most recent award winners.

“Our forensic distance education master’s programs have earned a well-respected international reputation in the past six years through our growing student enrollments and through partnering and assisting universities and governments in South America, Europe and Asia in education, workshops and training,” Tebbett said.

Only one week before the award recognition, Tebbett joined forces with the Canberra Institute of Technology at the Government Security Expo & Conference, or GOVSEC, in Washington to sign an official agreement for educational exchange between the two institutions. The agreement is the first step for the U.S. and Australian institutions to promote exchange between their faculty and students as well as the exchange of academic and research information.

Signing the agreement with the Australian educational organization comes at a time of need in the post-9/11 era; education and training are needed in countries around the world seeking to strengthen resources in the fight against terrorism, Riffee said.

“The agreements with CIT will extend UF’s mission of global collaboration through important contributions to the forensic sciences made by institutions of higher education,” Riffee said.

The UF online forensic science program offers master’s programs in forensic DNA and serology, drug chemistry, toxicology, and, starting this fall, in general forensic science. The programs also offer graduate certificate options. This spring, a new certificate program in forensic death investigation is being offered.

ADEC, developed in partnership with the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, works to advance distance and online learning. Its membership largely consists of 65 state universities and land-grant colleges. The nonprofit organization also works with government agencies and other organizations to advance science, engineering and technology research, and education.