The Forensic Science Program offers a master’s degree in Forensic Science with four concentrations to best suit the student’s future career goals- Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Biology Analysis, Forensic Chemistry Analysis, and Forensic/Biometric Identity Analysis. This graduate degree will prepare students for a rewarding career in federal, state and local laboratories, investigative or intelligence agencies, private companies, or allow professionals currently working in the field an opportunity to improve their education and optimize career advancement.
Located in Northern Virginia within the Washington DC Metro area, our students are afforded the opportunity to study in close proximity to a plethora of federal, state and local crime laboratories, investigative and intelligence agencies. These facilities provide unique access to forensic science experts and offer students competitive internships and job opportunities.
Available concentrations include:
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Forensic Biology Analysis
- Forensic Chemistry Analysis
- Forensic/Biometric Identity Analysis
Admissions
Application Requirements
University-wide admissions policies can be found in Graduate Admissions Policies.
To apply for this program, please complete the George Mason University Admissions Application.
In addition to fulfilling Mason's admission requirements for graduate study, applicants must provide:
- Three letters of recommendation from academic references or references in the industry or government who are familiar with the applicant's academic and/or professional accomplishments.
- Resume
- Detailed goal statement to include why you are interested in coming into Mason's Forensic Science Master's program, career goals, and professional aspirations, and proposed area of interest for your final research project.
- Two copies of official transcripts from each institution of higher education attended.
- A Virginia Domicile Classification Form.
TOEFL scores are required of all international applicants who do not hold at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution within the US (some exceptions apply). The TOEFL score has to at least be a total of 88, with a minimum of 20 in each section.
The GRE is not required for admission into this program. Additional requirements for each specific concentration are listed below.
Concentration-Specific Requirements
Forensic Biology Analysis and Forensic Chemistry Analysis Concentrations
A bachelor's degree in a forensic or natural science.
Forensic/Biometric Identity Analysis Concentration
A bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree in a forensic or natural science, computer science, computer electronic or electrical engineering, information systems or information technology (or its equivalent coursework in a relevant field).
Crime Scene Investigation Concentration
A bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree in a related field.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate programs, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Premium Tuition
Students enrolled in this professional MS program are charged at a differential (premium) tuition rate. Therefore, any courses or secondary programs that they may enroll in are subject to the differential tuition rate. The Forensics Graduate Certificate has the same premium tuition rate, making it the ideal program for concurrent enrollment (if desired).
Concentration Declaration
Students must declare their intended concentration upon application. In the event that a student wishes to change their concentration, students may request to change their concentration by submitting a letter to the Forensic Science Program Director detailing the request and providing justification. These requests and possible substitutions/waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis and only when the appropriate admissions requirements are met.
Criminal Background Check
The successful passing of a Virginia Department of Forensic Sciences background check is required prior to gaining access to FRSC 540 Advanced Forensic Chemistry, FRSC 541 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory, FRSC 560 Advanced Forensic DNA Sciences, and FRSC 561 Forensic DNA Laboratory.
Course Notes
FRSC 560 Advanced Forensic DNA Sciences and FRSC 561 Forensic DNA Laboratory
Students shall have completed undergraduate coursework in molecular and/or cell biology, as well as genetics, or students must obtain permission of the instructor prior to taking FRSC 560 Advanced Forensic DNA Sciences and FRSC 561 Forensic DNA Laboratory.
FRSC 540 Advanced Forensic Chemistry and FRSC 541 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory
Students shall have completed undergraduate coursework in general chemistry including polarity and acid/base chemistry. Students shall also have completed Organic Chemistry and be able to identify functional groups and other chemistry structures that make up a molecule. Exposure to instrumental techniques such as gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy is recommended or permission of instructor.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 36
Students should refer to the Admissions & Policies tab for specific policies related to this program.
Select one concentration from the following:
Concentration in Crime Scene Investigation (CSIN)
This concentration educates students for a career as a crime scene investigator.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| FRSC 500 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 510 | Basic Crime Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 511 | Advanced Crime Scene Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 530 | Law and Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 570 | Trace and Physical Evidence Concepts | 3 |
| Research Project or Non-Research Project | 5 | |
Research Project Option | ||
The Research Project Option is designed for students planning to pursue a doctoral degree or a career involving research in the field of forensic science or other related disciplines. The research project is based on laboratory research that must be preapproved by the advisory committee, which is appointed during the first semester of registration in FRSC 610 (1 credit) Forensic Research Project. Students are responsible for selecting research advisors who can commit as an advisor during the semesters that the student indicates that they will be conducting their research and enrolled in FRSC 610. Students must then complete their written research project and present their research during an oral defense during the semester of registration in FRSC 610 (3 credit) Forensic Research Project. | ||
| Forensics Seminar | ||
| Forensic Research Project | ||
Non-Research Project Option | ||
Students selecting this option are not required to complete a laboratory-based research project. Instead, they must successfully pass FRSC 699 (0 credits) Forensic Comprehensive Examination to demonstrate thorough comprehension of the curriculum and must select 5 credits of additional elective coursework. | ||
| Comprehensive Examination | ||
Select 5 credits of additional FRSC elective courses | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 16 credits from the following courses: | 16 | |
| Physical Evidence Laboratory | ||
| Forensic Photography | ||
| Survey of Forensic Chemistry, Biology, and DNA Analysis | ||
| Selected Topics in Forensic Science | ||
| Forensic Drone Photography | ||
| Questioned Document Examination | ||
| Analytical Thinking Violent Crime Profiling | ||
| Toxicology | ||
| Issues in Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Facial Reconstruction | ||
| Medicolegal Death Investigation and Pathology | ||
| Forensics Seminar | ||
| Face and Biometric Pattern Analysis | ||
| Fingerprint Identification | ||
| Legal, Privacy and Ethical Issues in Identity Analysis | ||
| Identity Analysis Applications | ||
| Capstone - Moot Court Expert Testimony | ||
| Internship in Forensic Science (Credits: 1-6) | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Concentration in Forensic Biology Analysis (FRSB)
This concentration educates students for a career as a forensic biology laboratory analyst.
The successful passing of a Virginia Department of Forensic Sciences background check is required prior to gaining access to FRSC 560 Advanced Forensic DNA Sciences and FRSC 561 Forensic DNA Laboratory. In order to obtain a career as a DNA Analyst, the student should have undergraduate coursework in Statistics, Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| FRSC 500 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 510 | Basic Crime Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 512 | Physical Evidence Laboratory | 3 |
| or FRSC 630 | Fingerprint Identification | |
| FRSC 514 | Survey of Forensic Chemistry, Biology, and DNA Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 530 | Law and Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 560 & FRSC 561 | Advanced Forensic DNA Sciences and Forensic DNA Laboratory | 4 |
| FRSC 570 | Trace and Physical Evidence Concepts | 3 |
| FRSC 600 | Forensics Seminar | 1 |
| FRSC 610 | Forensic Research Project | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 credits from the following courses: | 9 | |
| Advanced Crime Scene Analysis | ||
| Physical Evidence Laboratory | ||
| Forensic Photography | ||
| Selected Topics in Forensic Science | ||
| Forensic Drone Photography | ||
| Questioned Document Examination | ||
| Analytical Thinking Violent Crime Profiling | ||
| Toxicology | ||
| Issues in Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Facial Reconstruction | ||
| Medicolegal Death Investigation and Pathology | ||
| Forensics Seminar | ||
| Face and Biometric Pattern Analysis | ||
| Fingerprint Identification | ||
| Legal, Privacy and Ethical Issues in Identity Analysis | ||
| Identity Analysis Applications | ||
| Capstone - Moot Court Expert Testimony | ||
| Internship in Forensic Science (Credits: 1-6) | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Concentration in Forensic Chemistry Analysis (FRCA)
This concentration educates students for a career as a forensic chemistry laboratory analyst.
The successful passing of a Virginia Department of Forensic Sciences background check is required prior to gaining access to FRSC 540 Advanced Forensic Chemistry and FRSC 541 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| FRSC 500 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 510 | Basic Crime Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 512 | Physical Evidence Laboratory | 3 |
| or FRSC 630 | Fingerprint Identification | |
| FRSC 514 | Survey of Forensic Chemistry, Biology, and DNA Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 520 | Toxicology | 3 |
| FRSC 530 | Law and Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 540 & FRSC 541 | Advanced Forensic Chemistry and Forensic Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| FRSC 570 | Trace and Physical Evidence Concepts | 3 |
| FRSC 600 | Forensics Seminar | 1 |
| FRSC 610 | Forensic Research Project | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following courses: | 6 | |
| Advanced Crime Scene Analysis | ||
| Physical Evidence Laboratory | ||
| Forensic Photography | ||
| Selected Topics in Forensic Science | ||
| Forensic Drone Photography | ||
| Questioned Document Examination | ||
| Analytical Thinking Violent Crime Profiling | ||
| Issues in Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Facial Reconstruction | ||
| Medicolegal Death Investigation and Pathology | ||
| Forensics Seminar | ||
| Face and Biometric Pattern Analysis | ||
| Fingerprint Identification | ||
| Legal, Privacy and Ethical Issues in Identity Analysis | ||
| Identity Analysis Applications | ||
| Capstone - Moot Court Expert Testimony | ||
| Internship in Forensic Science (Credits: 1-6) | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Concentration in Forensic/Biometric Identity Analysis (FRBI)
This concentration educates students for a career as an identity intelligence analyst.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| FRSC 500 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 510 | Basic Crime Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 514 | Survey of Forensic Chemistry, Biology, and DNA Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 530 | Law and Forensic Science | 3 |
| FRSC 620 | Face and Biometric Pattern Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 630 | Fingerprint Identification | 3 |
| FRSC 640 | Legal, Privacy and Ethical Issues in Identity Analysis | 3 |
| FRSC 650 | Identity Analysis Applications | 3 |
| AIT 678 | National Security Challenges | 3 |
| Research Project or Non-Research Project | 5 | |
Research Project Option | ||
The Research Project Option is designed for students planning to pursue a doctoral degree or a career involving research in the field of forensic science or other related disciplines. The research project is based on laboratory research that must be preapproved by the advisory committee, which is appointed during the first semester of registration in FRSC 610 (1 credit) Forensic Research Project. Students are responsible for selecting research advisors who can commit as an advisor during the semesters that the student indicates that they will be conducting their research and enrolled in FRSC 610. Students must then complete their written research project and present their research during an oral defense during the semester of registration in FRSC 610 (3 credit) Forensic Research Project. | ||
| Forensics Seminar | ||
| Forensic Research Project | ||
Non-Research Project Option | ||
Students selecting this option are not required to complete a laboratory-based research project. Instead, they must successfully pass FRSC 699 (0 credits) Forensic Comprehensive Examination to demonstrate thorough comprehension of the curriculum and must select 5 credits of additional elective coursework. | ||
| Comprehensive Examination | ||
Select 5 credits of additional FRSC elective courses | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 4 credits from the following courses: | 4 | |
| Advanced Crime Scene Analysis | ||
| Physical Evidence Laboratory | ||
| Forensic Photography | ||
| Selected Topics in Forensic Science | ||
| Forensic Drone Photography | ||
| Questioned Document Examination | ||
| Analytical Thinking Violent Crime Profiling | ||
| Toxicology | ||
| Issues in Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Trace and Physical Evidence Concepts | ||
| Facial Reconstruction | ||
| Medicolegal Death Investigation and Pathology | ||
| Forensics Seminar | ||
| Capstone - Moot Court Expert Testimony | ||
| Internship in Forensic Science (Credits: 1-6) | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Forensic Science, BS/Forensic Science, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly qualified Mason undergraduate forensic science majors may apply to the accelerated master's degree with a concentration in either crime scene investigation, forensic biology analysis, forensic chemistry analysis, or forensic/biometric identity analysis. Students who have completed between 75 and 100 credits toward the bachelor’s degree are invited to apply. Students are eligible to enter this program and enroll in graduate courses after successfully completing 90 undergraduate credits, inclusive of prerequisites, toward the Forensic Science, BS degree. This flexibility makes it possible for students to complete graduate coursework during their final year. If accepted, students will be able to earn the Forensic Science, BS and the Forensic Science, MS after satisfactory completion of 150 credits.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Concentration Declaration
Students must declare their intended concentration upon application. In the event that a student wishes to change their concentration, students may request to change their concentration by submitting a letter to the Forensic Science Program Director detailing the request and providing justification. These requests and possible substitutions/waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis and only when the appropriate admissions requirements are met.
Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Graduate Admissions Policies section of this catalog.
Application requirements for this accelerated master's program include one letter of recommendation from a Forensic Science Program faculty member or advisor. Additionally, a detailed goal statement is required to include why you are interested in the MS in forensic science degree, career goals and professional aspirations, and proposed area of interest of your final Research Project. The GRE and resume are not required for admission into this program.
Successful applicants will have completed each of the following courses or equivalent with a GPA of 3.00 or higher:
FRSC 200 Survey of Forensic Science
FRSC 201 Introduction to Criminalistics
FRSC 302 Forensic Trace Analysis
FRSC 303 Forensic Evidence and Ethics
BIOL 213 Cell Structure and Function (Mason Core)
CHEM 211 General Chemistry I (Mason Core) and CHEM 213 General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core)
CHEM 212 General Chemistry II (Mason Core) and CHEM 214 General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core)
While undergraduate students, accelerated master's students complete six credits of graduate courses as indicated on their Accelerated Master's Program Application with a minimum grade of 3.00 in each course. Students must meet with an advisor to approve eligible graduate coursework. Once admitted to the accelerated master's program, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all coursework. On completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree in the semester indicated in the application, they submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form and are admitted to graduate status.
As graduate students, accelerated master's students have an advanced standing. They must meet all master's degree requirements except for the two courses (6 credits) they completed as undergraduates. Students must begin their master's program the semester immediately following conferral of the undergraduate degree.
Forensic Biology Analysis Concentration Applicants:
In order to obtain a career as a DNA Analyst, the student should have undergraduate coursework in Statistics, Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry.
Reserve Graduate Credit
Students may take up to 6 additional graduate credits as reserve graduate credit. These credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree. To apply these credits to the master's degree, students should use the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form.
The ability to take courses, including ones not listed above, for reserve graduate credit is available to all high achieving undergraduates with the permission of the department. Permission is normally granted only to qualified Mason seniors within 15 hours of graduation. See the Graduate Course Enrollment by Undergraduates section of this catalog for more information.
Premium Tuition
Students enrolled in this professional MS program are charged at a differential (premium) tuition rate. Therefore, any courses or secondary programs that they may enroll in are subject to the differential tuition rate. The Forensics Graduate Certificate has the same premium tuition rate, making it the ideal program for concurrent enrollment (if desired).
Criminal Background Check
The successful passing of a Virginia Department of Forensic Sciences background check is required prior to gaining access to FRSC 540 Advanced Forensic Chemistry, FRSC 541 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory, FRSC 560 Advanced Forensic DNA Sciences, and FRSC 561 Forensic DNA Laboratory.
Course Notes
Students shall have completed undergraduate coursework in molecular and/or cell biology, as well as genetics, or students must obtain permission of the instructor prior to taking FRSC 560 Advanced Forensic DNA Sciences and FRSC 561 Forensic DNA Laboratory.
Students shall have completed undergraduate coursework in general chemistry including polarity and acid/base chemistry. Students shall also have completed Organic Chemistry and be able to identify functional groups and other chemistry structures that make up a molecule. Exposure to instrumental techniques such as gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy is recommended or permission of instructor.