Skip to main content
Eberly College of Arts & Sciences Department of Forensic and Investigative Science
Visit WVU Request Info Apply Now

About the Department

The Department of Forensic and Investigative Science at West Virginia University is recognized as a top program nationally for the high-quality education it delivers to students, preparing them to be forensic professionals.

Leading the Way

WVU has been leading the way in the field of forensics since the beginning of our program in 1998 with research-active faculty, a student-centric philosophy, a contemporary curriculum, world-class equipment, and superior facilities.

  • Student Success Post Graduation
    • 85-90% of graduates are employed, attending graduate school, or being vetted for employment within 6 months of graduation.
  • FEPAC Accreditation
    • Undergraduate Program — Accredited since 2004
      (Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Examination)
    • Master's Program — Accredited since 2010
  • PhD Program was introduced in 2015
  • First Forensic Program with Undergraduate, Graduate, and PhD Programs
  • Largest Crime Scene Complex
    • First Crime Scene House
    • First Vehicle Processing Facility
    • First Photography Lab (Crime Scene House 4)
    • First Ballistics Facility
  • Forensic Facilities
    • Over 18,000 sq. ft. of laboratory and research space
    • On the National Register of Historic Places
    • First WVU building LEED (Leadership in Energy and Enviromental Design) certified from the US Green Building Council. Read more about Oglebay Hall's LEED certification.

Quick Facts

In addition to leading the way, quick facts about our department below can be reviewed below:

  • This August, approximately 250 students were directly admitted to the department (59 Forensic Biology, 42 Forensic Chemistry, 149 Forensic Examiner). It is interesting to note that about 80% are female, representing a trend observed over the past several years. At the beginning of the Fall 2016 semester there were 250 students in forensic science, first year through senior year.*
  • This summer, approximately 100 students were placed into internship sites throughout the United States to gain experience in Federal, State, Local, and Private police departments, crime scene units, forensic laboratories, Medical Examiner and Coroner offices, etc. 
  • Over the past three years, students have come from 39 states to study and earn their Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic and Investigative Science at WVU. Eighty-eight percent of our students are non-resident.
  • Sixty-eight students graduated with a FEPAC-accredited Bachelor of Science degree in 2024, with a majority of students graduating with honors and multiple students were elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Three students graduated with a FEPAC-accredited Master of Science degree in 2024.
  • Among the sciences, except for Biology, Forensic and Investigative Science graduates more undergraduate students annually than chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
  • Currently, 80% of graduates from the past five years have found career placement or are attending graduate school. About half of the graduating seniors go on to graduate or professional school, most often on assistantships and fellowships.
  • Approximately 300 students have declared forensic science as a minor.
  • The Forensic and Investigative Science graduate program includes 12 students in the MS program and 11 students in the PhD program.
  • With a new PhD program in forensic science (effective July 1, 2016), WVU became the first institution in the country to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in forensic science.

*statistics collected in 2024.