MFS in Forensic Science

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

George Washington University

Program Overview

The MFS in Forensic Science at George Washington University is a two-year graduate program designed for students who want to apply scientific methods to criminal investigations, with training in physical evidence, forensic analysis, criminal law, statistics, ethics, and modern laboratory methods. Students develop expertise in interpreting evidence such as fingerprints, shoe and tire impressions, firearms, toolmarks and other physical evidence, while completing an independent research project and a master's comprehensive examination.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish the scientific and investigative foundation through FORS 6001 Research and Professional Responsibility, FORS 6004 Principles of Forensic Investigation, and FORS 6005 Principles of Forensic Analysis. They also build knowledge of the legal and quantitative dimensions of forensic practice through FORS 6224 Criminal Law for Forensic Scientists and FORS 6225 Statistics for Forensic Scientists, including forensic applications of Bayesian reasoning and R software.

Year 2: Students deepen their professional and research capabilities through elective coursework selected with their advisor and FORS 6292 Graduate Seminar, while completing an independent research project. The program concludes with a master's comprehensive examination, allowing students to demonstrate their integrated understanding of forensic investigation, analysis, evidence interpretation and professional practice.

Focus areas: Physical evidence interpretation, fingerprints, shoe and tire impressions, firearms and toolmarks, forensic investigation, forensic laboratory methods, criminal law, forensic statistics, ethics and professional responsibility, with exposure to modern techniques including mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy, microscopy, chromatography and electrophoretic separations.

Learning outcomes: Graduates develop deep knowledge of physical evidence, mastery of fingerprint and firearms/toolmark identification, working knowledge of ethics, criminal law and statistics, familiarity with modern forensic laboratory instrumentation, and the communication skills required to clearly present forensic findings.

Professional alignment: The MFS in Forensic Science is designed around professional forensic practice and prepares graduates for evidence-related work in law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories, coroner's offices, hospitals, courts and private-sector organizations. FEPAC accreditation: GW's general MFS in Forensic Science page identifies the program as FEPAC-accredited; however, GW's current accreditation listing specifically identifies the MFS in Forensic Chemistry and MFS in Forensic Molecular Biology as FEPAC-accredited, so students should distinguish these specialized programs from the general MFS pathway.

Reputation: George Washington University publishes program-level student outcome data for its Forensic Sciences programs; for the MFS comprehensive examination, the first-attempt passing rate was 88% in 2025, while the final passing rate for all comprehensive exams was 100% in 2021–2025.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MFS in Forensic Science at George Washington University is built around hands-on forensic investigation, laboratory analysis, independent research, and interpretation of physical evidence. Students develop practical knowledge of fingerprints, shoe and tire impressions, firearms, fired bullets, cartridge cases, toolmarks, and crime-scene evidence while learning modern forensic laboratory methods such as mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy, microscopy, chromatography, and electrophoretic separations. The program also requires an independent research project and a comprehensive examination, allowing students to apply forensic methods to a substantial research problem.

Hands-on opportunities and facilities include:

Forensic laboratories: The Department of Forensic Sciences houses dedicated Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Molecular Biology, and Latent Print Labs on GW's Mount Vernon Campus, with students able to reserve laboratory time for assignments and independent research.
Mass spectrometry: The mass spectrometry laboratory contains six research instruments, including GC-MS, GC-MS/MS, LC-TOF MS, LC-Orbitrap, tandem LC-MS, and CE-MS systems.
Analytical instrumentation: The teaching and research laboratory includes an FTIR spectrometer with ATR and micro-FTIR capabilities, along with polarized-light and comparison microscopes for trace-evidence analysis.
Laboratory-based coursework: GW's forensic curriculum includes practical laboratory exercises; for example, FORS 6240: Forensic Drug Analysis uses color-spot tests, crystal tests, infrared spectrometry, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Forensic practicum: FORS 6298: Forensic Sciences Practicum provides internship experience in a forensic science laboratory or criminal justice agency under faculty supervision.
Independent research: Students work on approved research problems under the supervision of program faculty, with GW noting that students frequently collaborate on research projects and develop new methodologies.
Internships: Students are encouraged to complete internships, with opportunities in the Washington, D.C., region including NIST, NCIS, the U.S. Secret Service, D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences, U.S. Postal Service, D.C. Office of the Medical Examiner, Baltimore Police Department, and Montgomery County Crime Lab.
Bode Fellowship: Selected GW forensic science students can receive a stipend-supported fellowship with Bode Technology, a private forensic DNA laboratory, while completing their degree.
Research collaboration: Small teams of faculty and students collaborate on forensic research, and students can work closely with faculty mentors while presenting their research to the scientific community.
Specialized research environment: GW's Department of Forensic Sciences provides access to a large faculty and proximity to forensic-industry professionals, supporting research across areas such as chemical analysis, unknown-material identification, and molecular biological evidence.
Eckles Library: Eckles Library on the Mount Vernon Campus houses forensic literature and a range of print and online forensic science research resources for GW students, faculty, and staff.
FEPAC-accredited training: The department's MFS programs in forensic chemistry and forensic molecular biology are accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), reflecting alignment with current forensic-science education and training standards.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MFS in Forensic Science prepares graduates to work with physical evidence, crime-scene evidence, forensic laboratory methods, and the interpretation and communication of scientific findings. GW reports alumni working in government agencies, crime laboratories, medical facilities, legal offices, research centers, and private-sector organizations, with career paths including Forensic Scientist, Crime Scene Investigator, Criminalist, and Forensic Science Technician.

Career development and progression:

University career services: GW’s Center for Career Services provides career guidance through Handshake, including access to the STEM industry coach, career resources, occupation information, and internship/job opportunities. The Forensic Sciences Department also works with Career Services to support students seeking internships.
Internship opportunities: GW specifically encourages forensic science students to undertake internships, with opportunities available in the Washington, D.C., region. Examples include NIST, NCIS, the U.S. Secret Service, DC Department of Forensic Sciences, DC Office of the Medical Examiner, USPS, Baltimore Police Department, and Montgomery County Crime Lab.
Industry fellowship: The Bode Fellowship Program provides selected GW forensic science students with a paid work opportunity while completing their degree at Bode Technology Group, a private forensic DNA laboratory.
Employment outcomes: GW’s Department of Forensic Sciences reports that its recent alumni employers include the FBI, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Defense, DC Department of Forensic Sciences, Maryland State Police, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Quest Diagnostics, SAIC, and Bode Technology Group.
Graduate outcomes: In GW’s published post-graduate survey for MFS Forensic Chemistry/Forensic Molecular Biology, the number of graduates reporting job offers was 2 in AY 2022–23, 10 in AY 2023–24, and 18 in AY 2024–25; one graduate in AY 2024–25 was reported as admitted to an advanced-degree program. These figures are specifically for the combined Forensic Chemistry/Forensic Molecular Biology group and should not be interpreted as outcomes for the general MFS alone.
Salary information: GW’s official forensic-science career materials identify occupations and employers but do not state a program-specific graduate salary or median salary for the MFS in Forensic Science. GW’s university-wide Class of 2023 first-destination profile reports that, among respondents in full-time employment, 25% reported $80,000+, but this is across GW graduates rather than forensic science graduates.
Professional network: The department hosts an annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) alumni reception, bringing together alumni from graduating classes dating back to 1974 and providing a networking forum within the forensic science profession.
Accreditation value: The general MFS in Forensic Science is not identified by GW as FEPAC-accredited. GW specifically identifies the MFS in Forensic Chemistry and MFS in Forensic Molecular Biology as FEPAC-accredited programs, so students should not assume that the general MFS carries the same specialized accreditation.
Long-term career value: The degree develops knowledge of fingerprints, shoe and tire impressions, firearms, fired bullets, cartridge cases, toolmarks, crime-scene evidence, forensic laboratory methods, ethics, criminal law, statistics, and scientific communication, creating a foundation for continued professional development in forensic investigation and evidence analysis.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the MFS, graduates can pursue advanced graduate or professional study in a related scientific or forensic field. GW’s Columbian College offers doctoral programs alongside its MFS programs, while the Department of Forensic Sciences reports graduates progressing to advanced-degree programs; students can therefore use the MFS as a foundation for further research-oriented study where they meet the subsequent program’s admission requirements.