Program Overview

Forensic Science, MS

The Forensic Science, MS program at George Mason University is designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in federal, state, and local laboratories, investigative or intelligence agencies, private companies, or to provide professionals currently working in the field with an opportunity to improve their education and optimize career advancement.

Program Highlights

• Located in Northern Virginia within the Washington DC Metro area, 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.

Concentrations

The Forensic Science Program offers four concentrations to best suit the student's future career goals:

• Crime Scene Investigation: This concentration educates students for a career as a crime scene investigator.
• Forensic Biology Analysis: This concentration educates students for a career as a forensic biology laboratory analyst.
• Forensic Chemistry Analysis: This concentration educates students for a career as a forensic chemistry laboratory analyst.
• Forensic/Biometric Identity Analysis: This concentration educates students for a career as an identity intelligence analyst.

Educational Objectives

The program aims to achieve the following educational objectives:

• Demonstrate competency in the collection, processing, analysis, and evaluation of evidence.
• Apply the use of creativity in problem solving.
• Use primary scientific literature effectively in their own research.
• Demonstrate competency in written forms of scientific communication.
• Demonstrate practical experience in public speaking and presentation of their ideas and research.
• Culminate in a capstone course experience that requires synthesis of diverse skills and abilities in the solution of a real problem.
• Formulate scientific explanations based on historical observations and experimental evidence, accounting for variability in experimental results.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.