With this FEPAC-accredited master’s, you will gain the skills to evaluate and interpret crime scene evidence with the most up-to-date modern instrumental methods used in forensic laboratories, including mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy, microscopy, chromatographic and electrophoretic separations. Equipped with deep knowledge of the variety of forms of physical evidence, your comprehensive understanding of the integration of forensic disciplines with the investigation of criminal activity will make you a highly sought after forensic specialist.

Through advanced work in medicinal chemistry, instrumental analysis and trace evidence analysis, this FEPAC-accredited master’s will help you gain the skills needed to master crime scene trace evidence analysis—from hair and fibers, glass and soil to paper, paint, ignitable liquids and explosive residues—including material composition, drug compositions and chemical components at the molecular level.

This FEPAC-accredited master’s prepares you to work in crime laboratories as DNA analysts and technical leaders. Using state-of-the-art lab facilities, you will learn chemical, physical, immunological and microscopic methods, and the theoretical and practical aspects of advanced methods, such as DNA extraction and data interpretation. Plus, gain simulated first-hand experience—via recreated crime scenes or participating in mock court cases—to develop the ability to collect, protect and preserve evidence, as well serve as an expert witness in testimony.

Designed for those seeking careers as investigators, detectives, lawyers, special agents, medical examiners, crime scene technicians and forensic pathologists, you will learn how to investigate crimes from medical and legal perspectives as you become proficient in crime scene investigation techniques including photography, fingerprinting, digital imaging and forensic pathology. This MS will enable you to acquire the skills required by agencies hiring CSIs for careers ranging from latent print examiners to medicolegal death investigators.

Broaden your understanding of how societies define, facilitate or reduce crime a through an advanced degree in Criminology. With a strong emphasis on research methods, the program incorporates required and elective forensic sciences courses and underscores the way crime and criminal justice need to be understood in a social context. 

If you are fascinated by the criminal mind and how it drives behavior, this program is for you. In courses ranging from psychopathology to law, you will examine the psychological underpinnings of human behavior of those involved in the legal system. You will evaluate the treatment of sex offenders and ethical issues involving interrogation, while learning techniques for successfully presenting expert testimony and advocating for at-risk individuals or populations. This breadth and depth of training — combined with externship opportunities found only in the nation’s capital — makes our graduates top contenders in growing and competitive fields.

Explicitly designed for working professionals in the forensic sciences community who seek to enhance their credentials and advance their career, this graduate certificate helps you develop a multidisciplinary fluency common to forensic investigations. As you build a cross-disciplinary perspective on best practices and emerging techniques in forensic photography, fingerprinting and medicolegal death investigations, you will also synthesize a broader view of cultural, legal, and technical field considerations.