About the Forensic Linguistics Degree
Find your future at the intersection of language and law.
Every person has a unique way of communicating – a fact that can prove useful to law enforcement, intelligence and security personnel as they solve crimes and build legal cases.
The forensic linguistics concentration at PennWest California – part of PennWest California’s graduate degree program in criminal justice studies – focuses on oral and written communication as an element of contemporary crime analysis.
Students in the online forensic linguistics program build a strong foundation of theoretical knowledge and research skills as they learn to examine and assess threatening communications, fraudulent documents and other writings associated with serious criminal, civil and national security matters. Then they apply that theoretical framework to real-world situations requiring forensic linguistic training and skills.
Study with recognized experts in this emerging criminal justice specialty.
Faculty in the forensic linguistics master’s degree concentration at PennWest California are criminal justice practitioners with real-world experience in this emerging field. Under their guidance, students develop skills in critical areas of forensic linguistics, including language structure, author profiling and threat assessment, sociolinguistics, and legal and ethical issues.
PennWest California faculty build their instruction around actual criminal cases, as well as literature and research in linguistics, criminology and related fields. Through online presentations and discussions, hands-on projects and a capstone experience, students develop a knowledge base and practical skills they can apply to their careers in criminal justice.

Unabomber Case Papers Donated
James R. Fitzgerald, a pioneer in forensic linguistics, gives UNABOM documents to
the Center for Investigative and Forensic Sciences at PennWest California.
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