MS in Crime Scene Investigation

The Master of Science in Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) is designed for students seeking careers as investigators, detectives, lawyers, special agents, medical examiners, crime scene technicians and forensic pathologists.

Graduates are proficient in crime scene investigation techniques including photography, fingerprinting, digital imaging and forensic pathology. They also learn how to investigate crimes from medical and legal perspectives.

Coursework includes core and elective classes in topics like bloodstain pattern analysis, forensic documentation, firearms and toolmark identification and child abuse investigation techniques. Students acquire skills required by agencies hiring CSIs for careers ranging from latent print examiners to medicolegal death investigators.

Forensic Sciences Department Gets New Crime Scene Apartment

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 After years of using a single classroom on the Mount Vernon campus as a “crime scene room,” the Department of Forensic Sciences is excited to unveil our new “crime scene apartment”! We have been given a wing in Academic, which has allowed us to combine multiple rooms into an apartment with a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bath and hallway. This will allow us much greater flexibility in storytelling and space to present more types of evidence and more complex scenarios. In addition, we have a dedicated room for the undergraduate forensic science course, thus eliminating conflicts over scheduling crime scene space for multiple courses. We have also procured two lifelike new crime scene mannequins this year, which will improve the realism and scope of our scenes involving victims. Washington, DC, is full of apartment housing and we are thrilled to provide a relevant and realistic crime scene experience.

Forensic Sciences Graduate Info Session: November 17

Join us online for an information session discussing the field of forensic sciences and the GW Master of Forensic Sciences, Master of Science in Crime Scene Investigation and Graduate Certificate in Forensic Sciences programs.

Register to Attend

Program Objectives

Students who complete the MS in Crime Scene Investigation gain working knowledge of crime scene analysis.

Specifically, students graduate with:

• Expertise to collect, protect and preserve crime scene evidence
• Practical skills and approaches necessary to synthesize data and draw evidence-based conclusions
• Experience using software tools such as Photoshop, SketchUp, Rhinoceros 3D and more   
• Communication skills to work effectively within and across teams

Application Requirements

In addition to the Columbian College’s graduate application requirements, applicants must:

• hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with at least one (1) semester in chemistry and one (1) semester of biology, or
• obtain departmental permission based on work, military or other experience.

Email forsc@gwu.edu for more information.
 

Complete Application Requirements

Course Requirements