Associate is category of membership for those who have recently graduated in forensic science or who are in the early stages of their forensic science career (less than 2 years). We fully understand the pressures that students face on graduating and when they are seeking employment. Student members should find it easy to upgrade to Associate once they have successfully completed their undergraduate course. Those who have been student members of the Society and then upgrade to Associate demonstrate to prospective employers that they are serious about their chosen profession.
Reduced rates (Just £50) apply for at least the first year of Associate membership if you
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are still in education, or
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undertaking further study (MSc of PhD in Forensic Science or a related discipline) or
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are unemployed
To claim this discount please contact membership@csofs.org
If you are studying full time, or are unemployed, at the time of your application to upgrade, our normal £25 upgrade application fee will be waived. Otherwise, you will be asked to pay it.
This category has the post-nominal ACSFS and will apply to those who, within the past two years, have graduated from a Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences' accredited degree programme or other non-accredited forensic science degree which has been deemed acceptable by the Society.
Associate Membership provides a clear and direct route through to full membership and brings the Society into line with other professional bodies who have a graduate career progression route in place for their subject specific discipline.
This category is also open to graduates of related subjects such as Chemistry or Biology who are now working in forensic science or undertaking further qualifications in the field.
Associate status for those completing undergraduate courses accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences OR currently studying on an accredited post-graduate courses
Anyone who has completed a course that is accredited by the Society is automatically eligible for Associate status. They must however apply for this within two years of graduation and send in a copy of their certificate or course results.
Anyone who is embarking on a post-graduate course that is accredited by the Society is likewise automatically eligible. We will need to see a copy of their bachelor's degree and confirmation that they are enrolled on (for example) a Masters degree.
Associate status for those completing non-accredited forensic science degrees, or core science degrees.
Graduates of non-accredited forensic science or core science degrees may be eligible to become Associate Members upon satisfactory assessment and review of their courses of study. You will need to registered as an Affiliate member first, and we will ask you to send in a copy of your first degree certificate, confirmation of your current course of study (or your CV, if you are employed in forensics already), and the names and email addresses of two referees who know of your studies. Once we have all the details your request to upgrade will be forwarded to the Chair of our Membership & Ethics Committee for approval.
Those not satisfying the assessment and review process may be offered Affiliate Membership until such time as their practical experience and further development allows.
In either case - application must be made within 2 years of graduation.
Benefits - Associate
Please note that although we encourage you to use your postnominals to describe your membership level once you have been upgraded, you should not use the CSFS logo on any communication or marketing platforms (e.g LinkedIn, Facebook).