Department website: http://forensics.wvu.edu/
Degrees Offered
- Master of Science
- Doctor of Philosophy
Nature of the Program
M.S. Forensic and Investigative Science
The objective of the M.S. degree is to prepare students for employment in local, state, and federal forensic science laboratories in several forensic disciplines. The M.S. degree is a rigorous, quantitative, research oriented degree accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).
The coursework comprises a core of advanced chemistry, biology and pattern evidence courses, including laboratory-based instruction in microscopy, trace evidence, analytical chemistry, DNA, statistics and laboratory management. Further specialization occurs though the student's research. The learning and research environments are supported by state-of-the-art instrumentation and laboratory facilities.
Ph.D. Forensic Science
The objective of the Ph.D. program is to prepare students to work as professionals in academia, government laboratories, and private industry as laboratory specialists. Students will learn to critically assess the current state of knowledge within the field, and to solve complex problems at the frontier of the discipline. The major component of the program is research. The coursework comprises a core of advanced chemistry, biology and pattern evidence courses, including laboratory-based instruction in microscopy, trace evidence, analytical chemistry, DNA, statistics and laboratory management.
Faculty
Chair
- Casper Venter - Ph.D. (University of South Africa)
Director of Graduate Studies
- Tina Moroose - M.S. (Marshall University)
Director of Undergraduate Studies
- Rachel Mohr - Ph.D. (Texas A&M University)
Professors
- Glen Jackson - Ph.D. (West Virginia University)
Ming Hsieh Distinguished Professor, Forensic Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry - Keith Morris - Ph.D. (University of Port Elizabeth)
Ming Hsieh Distinguished Professor, Impression Evidence, Evidence Interpretation
Associate Professors
- Luis Arroyo - Ph.D. (Florida International University)
Toxicology, Environmental Forensics - Tina Moroose - M.S. (Marshall University)
DNA Analysis and Quality Assurance - Jaqueline Speir - Ph.D. (Rochester Institute of Technology)
Informatics, Pattern Analysis, Image Analysis - Tatiana Trejos - Ph.D. (Florida International University)
Trace Evidence, Elemental Analysis - Casper Venter - Ph.D. (University of South Africa)
Director, Undergraduate Coordinator, Seized Drugs, Latent Fingerprint Development and Comparison
Assistant professors
- Robin Bowen - Ed.D. (West Virginia University)
Ethics, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis - Arati Iyengar - Ph.D. (University of South Hampton)
Forensic Genetics, Wildlife Forensics - Tiffany Edwards - M.S. Forensic Science (University of Central Oklahoma)
- Roger Jeffreys - M.S. (West Virginia University)
- Lisa Licata - M.S.
(University of North Texas) - Rachel Mohr - Ph.D. (Texas A&M University)
Forensic Entomology - Robert O'Brien - M.S. (St. Joseph's College) Associate Graduate
Associate Graduate Faculty, Crime Scene Investigation
Admissions for 2025-2026
The M.S. and the Ph.D. are separate degree programs and students should carefully consider which is the most appropriate for their career goals. The M.S. degree is ideal preparation for work in local, state, and federal forensic laboratory systems. The Ph.D. is geared toward preparing students for research-intensive positions, academic appointments, and laboratory management. Enrollment is limited and competitive. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
M.S. in Forensic and Investigative Science
Applicants to the M.S. program should possess a bachelor’s degree in natural science, Forensic Science, or equivalent, which includes at least one year of the following courses:
- Fundamentals of Chemistry (inclusive of laboratories)
- Organic Chemistry (inclusive of laboratories)
- Biology (inclusive of laboratories)
- Physics (inclusive of laboratories) and
- Calculus
Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the undergraduate and graduate level (if applicable) and GRE scores of 300 or better (on combined verbal and quantitative reasoning).
Ph.D. in Forensic Science
Students with a B.S. degree can be directly admitted to the Ph.D. program but are encouraged to complete the M.S. degree prior to applying to the Ph.D. program. Students applying to the Ph.D. program are strongly encouraged to contact faculty prior to submission of their application to discuss research interests and space availability in their research group. At least two potential research advisors must be identified as part of the admission process.
Applicants to the Ph.D. program should possess a bachelor’s or research based master’s degree from an accredited college or university which includes at least one year of the following courses:
- Fundamentals of Chemistry (inclusive of laboratories)
- Organic Chemistry (inclusive of laboratories)
- Biology (inclusive of laboratories)
- Physics (inclusive of laboratories) and
- Calculus
Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and GRE scores of 300 or better (on combined verbal and quantitative reasoning).
Current students in the FIS M.S. program who decide to pursue a Ph.D. must submit a completed application by the deadline to be considered for admission. Current enrollment in the FIS M.S. program does not guarantee acceptance into the Ph.D. program. Placement in a specific research group or with a specific faculty member is not guaranteed.
List of Admission Requirements for both programs:
- See the steps to apply for admissions and access the application here.
- Letters of recommendation from persons who can address potential for success in graduate study and research must be submitted (two for M.S. and three for Ph.D.).
- A personal statement the addresses requirement for the program.
- For the M.S., the statement should address the applicant’s desire to pursue graduate studies in Forensic Science, present concept of Forensic Science, academic goals in the M.S. program, professional goals and employment objectives. Additionally, the personal statement must indicate a first and second choice for which faculty members in the department the applicant would most like to work with and the work they would most like to perform. Information on faculty and their research interests can be found here.
- For the Ph.D., the personal statement should address the applicant’s desire to pursue graduate studies in Forensic Science, present concept of Forensic Science, academic goals in the Ph.D. program, professional goals and employment objectives. Additionally, the personal statement must indicate a first and second choice for which faculty members in the department the applicant would most like to work with and the work they would most like to do. Information on faculty and their research interests can be found here.
- A writing sample as follow.
- For the M.S., students must submit an original writing sample (4-6 pages, 1.5 spaced, 12 pt. font) that consists of one or more of the following must also be submitted: a peer-reviewed publication where the applicant was the lead author, an honors thesis, research report or capstone report in which the applicant is the sole author, or an essay discussing one of the following statements:
- DNA will eventually replace trace evidence as a technique in forensic science.
- Forensic science will survive criticism about its reliability.
- The role of NIST OSAC in strengthening forensic practice.
- Describe ways in which standards approved by the NIST OSAC organization have helped to strengthen the practice of forensic science.
- Describe the recent developments in the error rates or uncertainty in any chosen domain of forensic science.
- Forensic laboratories would benefit from reinforcing the silos of forensic science
- For the Ph.D., students must submit an original writing sample (approximately 4-6 pages) that consists of one or more of the following:
- a peer-reviewed publication where the student is the lead author;
- a thesis research converted to a publication-ready document (note that this document must conform to a pre-print to be submitted to a peer reviewed journal [such as JFS or FSI], and should include appropriate subsections and be of reasonable length);
- a thesis research proposal converted to a white paper (maximum length of 6 pages, single-spaced).
- For the M.S., students must submit an original writing sample (4-6 pages, 1.5 spaced, 12 pt. font) that consists of one or more of the following must also be submitted: a peer-reviewed publication where the applicant was the lead author, an honors thesis, research report or capstone report in which the applicant is the sole author, or an essay discussing one of the following statements:
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Official Transcripts and GRE scores.
International Applicants:
- See the steps to apply for admissions and access the application here.
- International applicants should view additional requirements here and here.
- Language proficiency is required in order to hold a graduate teaching assistantship. See here.
Application Deadlines:
- The Department of Forensic and Investigative Science generally admits graduate students for the Fall semester. Admissions for Spring semester may be considered on a case-by-case basis; contact the Coordinator of Graduate Studies before submitting.
- Applications are considered starting in January for admission for the following Fall semester.
- Priority will be given to completed applications received by January 15th; application reviews will be continued past the deadline on a space-available basis.
- Upon receipt and evaluation of the complete application package, suitable candidates may be invited for a final interview with the graduate committee.
- Exceptional applicants to the Ph.D. program may be nominated by the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science for competitive University Fellowships. Late applicants cannot be considered for University Fellowships. Qualified applicants will be notified if they are nominated. More information on WVU fellowships can be found here.
Certain application requirements may be waived based on a preliminary review of an application by the program.
MS Major Code: 1479
PhD Major Code: 14C2
For specific information on the following program, please see the link to the right:
- Forensic and Investigative Science, M.S.
For specific information on the following program, please see the link to the right:
- Forensic Science, Ph.D.
Degree Progress
All graduate students enrolled in at least one credit hour during the academic year must be provided with a written evaluation from their program following the end of each spring term. This requirement may be waived for students in good standing who are expected to graduate in spring or summer. Specific processes and timelines for each program’s evaluation can be found in the graduate handbook. Annual evaluation may result in probation for students either not making adequate degree progress or failing to uphold professional standards.
Master's Benchmarks
- By the end of the first semester, students should have completed a plan of study.
- By the end of the first year, students should have completed their proposal.
- By the end of the second year, students should have completed their thesis and defense.
- By the end of the second year, students should have completed 40 hours of coursework.
Doctoral Benchmarks
- By the end of the first semester, students should have completed a plan of study.
- By the end of the second year, students should complete a proposal.
- By the end of the second year, of study students should complete their oral examination.
- By the end of the third year, students should have completed 70 hours of coursework.
- By the end of the third year, students should have completed and defended their dissertation.
Please refer to the Forensic and Investigative Science Graduate Handbook for more information.