Forensic & Investigative Science Program
Information for Prospective Students
- Have you seen television shows or movies or read books that piqued your interest in forensic science?
- Were you surfing the web, searching for information on forensic science education?
- Have you heard about WVU’s world-class accredited forensic science program?
- Have you heard from friends or family about WVU?
- Have you already decided that forensic science is for you and now you are looking for the perfect place to get a degree in this fast-growing field?
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This page can help you get started. Forensic science programs of variable quality are appearing at many institutions. How do you decide which is right for you? Why should you consider WVU?
It’s an individual decision based on many factors, but some questions to ask:
- Is the program accredited by the Forensic Educational Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC)? Accredited programs such as WVU’s have to meet rigorous standards in our classes, structure, facilities, and faculty qualifications. A degree from an accredited institution carries significant weight in the forensic science community and that will become increasingly important as the number of forensic science graduates enter the job market.
- How long has the program been operating? WVU’s program is approaching the decade-old mark and was one of the first accredited programs in the nation.
- Are there full-time faculty with real forensic experience? WVU’s full-time faculty include a former laboratory director, an internationally known forensic entomologist, and forensic chemist for the New Mexico State Police. These faculty are not adjuncts or part-timers that come one or two nights a week to teach classes. They are professors whose one and only job is to pass their knowledge and experience to the next generation of forensic leaders. More on our faculty and staff...
- Can the program provide you with a meaningful internship? All of our students complete a rigorous, 420-hour summer internships at locations such as the United States Secret Service, state and local police agencies and labs, and forensic laboratories nationwide. Working with students, we organize the internships, check on progress, and insure that the experience helps you mature from a student to a forensic professional. Many students obtain their first job as a a result of their internship, either directly or indirectly. More on our internship program...
- What facilities does the program offer? WVU has 3 crime scene houses, a forensic garage, and an 18,000 square foot dedicated forensic laboratory facility. More on our facilities...
It’s your education. It’s your career.
Do your homework and pick the right program for you.