Forensic Science Colleges in Washington, DC

“Washington, DC, provides an especially valuable environment for this education because students can learn not only in the classroom but also through exposure to working forensic laboratories, researchers, and government agencies.”

Daniele Podini, Chair of the Department of Forensic Sciences, The George Washington University

What kind of person makes a good forensic science technician? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it’s someone interested in the natural sciences who wants to learn how they apply to criminal justice and the law. Successful forensic scientists are also strong problem-solvers who can think under pressure and notice details that may be important to solving a crime.

Forensic scientists interested in working in a crime lab typically need a four-year bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences, followed by a master’s degree, according to the BLS. Another route is to earn an undergraduate degree in forensic sciences and then seek entry-level employment. Both paths involve substantial training in biology and chemistry as well as math and other sciences.

Another path to consider is a career as a crime scene investigator. The BLS reports that a bachelor’s degree is also needed to enter this field, but sometimes training can occur on the job, or people can find entry-level jobs with less education, such as an associate degree. Whichever career option seems best, potential students can find forensic science programs in Washington, DC, and across the U.S. that provide theoretical and hands-on education.

So what can aspiring forensic scientists in Washington, DC expect to learn through competitive degree and certificate programs in the state? According to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), these professionals master a variety of skills and role-related responsibilities such as processing and documenting evidence methodically; performing scientific analysis on various types of evidence; working closely with medical and legal personnel; keeping abreast of methodological and technological developments in the field; and providing expert testimony in court cases.

The AAFS states that forensic scientists typically have at least a bachelor’s degree, and there is a range of specialized subfields of study, including arson, bite marks, fingerprints, firearms, DNA, child abuse, toxicology, death investigation, digital evidence, and more.

Read on to learn how and where to develop these crime-solving skills in Washington, DC, and to learn more about the state’s employment outlook, the types of accredited forensics programs available, and professional certification for forensics professionals.

How to Become a Forensic Scientist in Washington, DC

A college education is typically necessary to become a forensic science technician, simply because so much learning about the natural sciences, particularly biology and chemistry, is essential. In fact, Career One Stop (2026)—a job-planning tool sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor—reports that 32 percent of forensic science technicians have a bachelor’s degree or higher, while 14 percent have associate degrees and 20 percent have some college education.

Students also learn evidentiary, substantive, and procedural law, as well as how to analyze substances such as blood, drugs, fibers, gunshot residue, and paint. Below are the most common steps to pursue a career in forensic science.

Step 1: Graduate from high school.

Because specialists in this field often have degrees in natural or physical sciences, strong grades in subjects such as chemistry, physics, statistics, mathematics, and biology can prepare them for postsecondary work.

Step 2: Undertake a bachelor’s degree (four years).

A four-year degree will focus on the sciences but also include criminal justice components. Sometimes students may be allowed to choose a concentration, such as biology or chemistry, or can even gain specific skills through an externship. Selecting the right degree will generally depend on the person’s intended specialization.

Step 3: Certification through a national organization (optional, timeline varies).

Although not a compulsion, certification can indicate levels of achievement or professional standards to employers, especially in more competitive fields. There are currently nine professional certification organizations accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB), including the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE), the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT), and several other subfields.

Step 4: Study towards a master’s degree (optional, timeline varies).

A master’s degree can help professionals access some of the best job opportunities, as students can specialize at the master’s level, build leadership skills, and further advance their scientific skills. Most master’s degrees take two or more years to complete, but part-time study can take much longer, up to five years.

Step 5: Complete a PhD (optional, timeline varies).

This option might be appropriate for someone who is very interested in research or in conducting experiments and sharing results with the scientific community. At this level, students may also be required to participate in an internship or practicum and may need to be engaged in study for multiple years.

Pursuing CSI in the District of Columbia

Becoming a crime scene investigator could be an alternative to completing a full forensic science degree and may require less academic investment, as little as one year to complete a CSI certificate. In fact, a college education may not even be required to become a CSI when training is offered on the job. As a result, the steps needed to enter the CSI field can vary based on an individual’s goals, but some of these steps could include:

Option 1: Complete an education program at a postsecondary college (one to two years).

CSI programs can lead to a certificate or an associate degree or, in some cases, be offered as a concentration area or specialization of a bachelor’s degree. These programs may include coursework such as an introduction to criminal justice, fingerprint identification, crime scene photography, and more. In some cases, students who complete a certificate program may be able to transfer their credits toward completing an undergraduate degree.

Option 2: Finish a bachelor’s degree (four years).

A bachelor’s degree in CSI is often presented as a four-year program in criminal justice with a specialization in crime scene work. Students might study constitutional law, criminalistics, criminal law, and criminal evidence. Hands-on learning or a capstone project may be required.

Option 3: Gain CSI experience on the job.

The BLS shows that many crime scene investigators are police officers who learned about CSI on the job. In rural areas, people interested in CSI may be trained by experienced professionals instead of needing to learn through formal education.

The BLS reports that a college education may not even be necessary for rural areas, where someone already has on-the-job training and has learned the necessary CSI skills by working closely with others. Finally, certification (different from a certificate) is available to individuals working in CSI who want proof and validation of their skills.

Occupational Demand and Salary Data in Washington, DC for Forensic Science Specialists

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2026) anticipates that the nationwide openings for this occupation will increase by 13 percent between 2025 and 2035. This job growth is much faster than average (3 percent) and could lead to 2,700 new positions opening up during this time. No job growth information is available specifically for Washington, DC, but the BLS reports that job opportunities nationwide are best for those with an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences followed by a master’s degree in forensic science.

The nation’s capital is home to nearly 700,000 people, with even more living in the metropolitan area. This kind of population means there can be plenty of opportunities for jobs, as well as plenty of opportunities for crime.

For recent graduates looking for work in the forensic science field, the Consolidated Forensic Lab could be one place to check out. It opened in 2012 but faced auditing issues due to analyst incompetence. Of course, this could just mean that they need skilled workers who can perform on the job.

Other places to look for work could include:

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• National Institute of Justice
• Metropolitan Police Department
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

The AAFS also provides a job board through which jobs can be sorted by state and by title, and opportunities can also be found through college programs, internships, or networking with professionals. Since state and local governmental agencies employ about 87 percent of forensic science technicians, shows the BLS, these agencies could be a good starting point to begin looking for jobs.

Salary Data in Washington, DC for Forensic Science Specialists

One important aspect to consider before deciding on a career is whether the educational investment it requires is worth the future potential income. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics (May 2025), the 19,120 forensic science technicians across the nation earned an average annual salary of $79,200. The BLS does not have salary details for forensic science techs in Washington, DC.

Here is a breakdown of the salary percentiles among all forensic science technicians in the country (BLS May 2025)—the latest data available as of October 2026:

	United States
Number of Forensic Science Technicians Employed	19,120
Annual Mean Wage	$79,200
10th percentile	$48,250
25th percentile	$57,830
50th percentile	$72,060
75th percentile	$94,520
90th percentile	$117,250

The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, PayScale (October 2026), which relies on self-reported salaries. Among the forensic science techs reporting their annual salaries, Payscale found these percentiles for the US:

• 10th percentile: $33,000
• 50th percentile (median): $59,556
• 90th percentile: $79,000

When reviewing any state or local salary data, it is important to consider the cost of living in that area. For instance, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2026), the District of Columbia was the fourth most expensive state or territory in the country.

Forensic Science Programs in Washington, DC

Forensic science training is fairly limited in Washington, DC, unless students are seeking graduate-level training. That said, several master’s degree options are available in the nation’s capital.

Prospective students are urged to seek out programs accredited by either the Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) or the regional Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The former focuses on programmatic accreditation, particularly interdisciplinary bachelor’s and master’s programs offered through hard sciences departments (e.g., biology, chemistry). The latter is an institutional accreditation body recognized by the US Department of Education. Please see the accreditation section below for more information.

For Washington, DC’s associate degree programs in forensics, admissions requirements generally include submitting official secondary school (i.e., high school) transcripts; sending TOEFL test scores (for non-native speakers of English); and paying an application fee.

For Washington, DC’s bachelor’s degree programs in forensics, typical admissions requirements include sending official high school transcripts with a competitive GPA; writing a personal statement; getting letters of recommendation; submitting official scores from the SAT or ACT tests (and TOEFL for non-native English speakers); passing a background check; and paying an application fee.

For Washington, DC’s master’s programs in forensics, admissions requirements generally include sending official post-secondary transcripts in a relevant major with a competitive GPA; completing prerequisite courses; writing a personal statement; submitting letters of recommendation; sending official scores from the GRE or MCAT tests (and TOEFL for non-native English speakers); passing a background check; having an interview; and paying an application fee.

George Washington University

George Washington University (GWU) offers a number of forensic science options at the graduate level, including a master’s degree that is accredited through the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), an important distinction (see further below). GWU offers a master of forensic sciences (MFS) in three fields, forensic science, forensic chemistry, and forensic molecular biology, along with a master of science (MS) in crime scene investigation and a combined BS/MFS in forensic chemistry.

The FEPAC-accredited MFS in forensic science program provides a detailed understanding of the integration of forensic disciplines with the investigation of criminal activity, along with an overview of the analytic procedures, methods, equipment, and data used by forensic specialists.

Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree with a major in natural science or forensic science from an accredited university. The curriculum includes courses such as fundamentals of forensic science; ethics, professional responsibility, and quality assurance; criminal law for forensic scientists; and statistics for forensic scientists.

GWU also offers two graduate certificates. The 18-credit graduate certificate in forensic investigation includes five required courses and one elective, and students can later apply it toward the school’s master of science in crime scene investigation. The certificate includes courses in forensic photography; the science of fingerprints; crime scene investigation; medicolegal death investigation; and firearms and tool mark identification.

The graduate certificate in latent print examination is delivered in a hybrid format, with coursework offered online and two short required trips to campus. Described as a first-of-its-kind program in the country, the one-year curriculum trains students in latent print comparison, photography and digital image processing, fingerprint development, and testimony, and is aligned with the standards set by the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for friction ridge examination. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree in any subject plus two undergraduate courses in biology, chemistry, or forensic science.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: One to two years

The Chicago School

The Chicago School offers a master’s of arts (MA) degree in forensic psychology that has licensure and non-licensure tracks available. This program helps professionals understand the connection between psychology and the criminal justice system and enables them to explore criminal behavior in greater depth, the public view of criminals, and even the correctional system.

The 60-credit forensic psychology licensure track incorporates the eight content areas outlined by the National Board of Certified Counselors meeting the educational requirements for certification or licensure as required for employment as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Students in this track must accrue a minimum of 700 hours of clinical training over the course of a nine –to twelve-month practicum and internship under the supervision of a master’s level licensed psychologist or clinician.

The 37-credit non-licensure track prepares graduates to pursue non-clinical professional opportunities to work with diverse populations in fields such as probation and corrections, law enforcement, mental health organizations, or governmental organizations such as child welfare or domestic violence agencies.

The curriculum includes courses such as introduction to forensic psychology; violence and risk assessment; psychopathology; forensic documentation, report writing, and testifying; family systems and family therapy; trauma and crisis intervention; and evaluation and treatment of the juvenile offender, among others.

The Chicago School also offers a BA in criminology and a BS in criminal justice.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (two years); part-time (three to four years)

Trinity Washington University

Trinity Washington University offers a bachelor of science program in forensic science, providing a strong foundation in both biology and chemistry. Students in this program will learn how science informs criminal investigations through courses in criminal justice and forensic science. Laboratory courses will give students hands-on experience with instrumentation essential for analyzing body fluid and tissue samples, such as DNA fingerprinting, and detecting chemicals for material evidence, such as controlled substance determination.

This major is intended for future crime lab employees, such as forensic scientists or specialists, criminalists, and DNA analysts, as well as for those interested in pursuing graduate degrees in forensic science.

Comprising 120 credits, the program includes courses such as introductory forensic science; fundamentals of chemistry; forensic instrumental analysis; criminal law; forensic psychology; evidence; and genomics & evolution.

• Location: Washington, DC
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four years

Prince George’s Community College

Given the need by some to obtain undergraduate education, students may want to attend an undergraduate program nearby, including right across the Washington, DC border. In Largo, MD, they can work on an associate degree in forensic science at Prince George’s Community College. In fact, this forensic science program is designed to matriculate into others offered at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the University of Maryland University College. The associate degree program has a heavy focus on the sciences and incorporates hands-on experiences.

Combining a science curriculum with hands-on experience in the processing, analysis, and collection of physical evidence in criminal cases, this program incorporates criminal investigation, physical science, and the law providing a comprehensive understanding of the evidentiary process.

Made up of 60 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; forensic science; forensic aspects of death investigation; forensic aspects of drug identification and abuse; fire and arson investigation; forensic psychology; forensic photography; crime scene investigation; and criminal law.

Notably, Prince George’s Community College also has an AS in criminal justice, and an AAS in criminal justice, both of which can be completed entirely online.

• Location: Largo, MD
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

University of Baltimore

For those who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree, there is one available that is further away from Washington, DC at the University of Baltimore that provides a bachelor’s degree in forensic studies. This program is delivered in partnership with the Baltimore Police Department, providing plenty of opportunities for hands-on study. Students have the option of choosing a forensic science or forensic investigation concentration.

The 45-credit forensic investigation concentration focuses on the procedural and legal aspects of the field. Students in this concentration will work with law enforcement professionals in the Baltimore Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau to gain a practical understanding of current investigative techniques and procedures.

The 54-credit forensic science concentration focuses on the scientific aspects of criminal investigation. Students in this concentration will be working in the University of Baltimore’s state-of-the-art Jami R. Grant Forensic Laboratories.

The curriculum includes courses such as crime scene investigation; forensic science; criminal law; mobile forensics; death investigation; trace evidence; fire debris and explosive analysis; forensic drug analysis; moot court and trial advocacy for forensics; forensic photography; forensic documentation; and mathematical applications in forensic investigations.

• Location: Baltimore, MD
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four years

Students can also choose to complete an undergraduate degree in biology or chemistry and then find a program – potentially online – at the master’s degree level in forensic science. In the next section, we take a look at some of the programs offered online, many of which offer increased flexibility and unique scheduling.

For more information on forensics schools and specializations, please visit the forensic programs page.

Hybrid & Online Programs

Several different forensic science college programs are available online at the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, at the lower level, many of these are focused on criminal justice and may offer forensic science as a concentration, while at the upper level, they may have more of a strict focus on forensic science.

Ashworth College

An online diploma program in forensic science is available through Ashworth College. Students in this program will learn about the techniques integral to the role forensics plays in solving crimes, such as how to analyze fingerprints, blood patterns, and DNA, as well as strategies for investigating crime scenes.

Courses include foundations of forensic science; microscopy, impressions, and forensic chemistry; and forensic biology, fire investigation, document examination, and the future of forensic science.

• Location: Norcross, GA
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
• Expected Time to Completion: One year

American InterContinental University

American InterContinental University provides an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in forensic science that can be completed in as little as four years. Students in this program will learn about how investigations are conducted, how investigators solve crimes, the common criminal procedures, and the accepted theories of crime and justice. Notably, there are no prerequisites to pursue this program.

The curriculum of this program has a solid criminal justice foundation that thoroughly explores the U.S. legal system, crime theory, constitutional procedures, and crime victim studies. The other major component of this curriculum features specialized online forensic science courses and a senior capstone project in criminal justice.

Made up of 180 credits, the program features courses such as introduction to criminology; introduction to criminal law; foundations of corrections; crime victim studies; criminalistics; criminal investigation; psychopathology and criminality; and medicolegal death investigation.

• Location: Atlanta, GA; Houston, TX
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four years

National University

National University offers a master’s of forensic science (MFS) program that is geared toward professionals including attorneys, investigators, law enforcement, laboratory workers, and others. This master’s degree program provides two areas of specialization, criminalistics and investigation.

Made up of 54 credits, the program includes courses such as forensic pathology; forensic anthropology; crime scene investigation; forensic photography; fingerprint analysis; topics in forensic sciences; trace evidence; advanced forensic toxicology; advanced criminalistics; and major case investigation.

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

Due to the nature of online programs, the host institutions need not be located in Washington, DC. For more information on distance-based education at all levels and specialties, please visit the online forensic science degrees page.

Professional Certification in Forensic Science

Although professional certification is not always necessary to secure employment in forensics in Washington, DC, it may be advisable for several reasons. First, certification can indicate a job applicant’s knowledge in a particular area and improve one’s resume. Second, it can enhance a person’s earning potential, opportunities for advancement, and leadership responsibilities. Lastly, a national certification can be transferable to other states across the country.

Requirements for common professional certifications in forensics vary, but they generally include having at least a bachelor’s degree in forensics, biology, chemistry, or another relevant field; having several years of verifiable experience; providing professional references; and passing an exam. There are currently nine professional certifications recognized by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB), including:

• American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA)
• American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE)
• American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO)
• American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)
• American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)
• Board of Forensic Document Examiners (BFDE)
• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
• International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS)
• International Board of Forensic Engineering Sciences (IBFES)

Those who wish to have detailed information on credentialing within each subfield of forensics can visit our programs or careers pages.

Forensic Program Accreditation

As mentioned above, aspiring forensics students in Washington, DC are strongly encouraged to verify the accreditation status of their programs and educational institutions. Recognized accreditation agencies serve to gauge educational effectiveness by evaluating program faculty, student outcomes, school finances, quality of curricula, and other variables.

The Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) is the gold standard for programmatic accreditation. As of December 2024, only one school in Washington, DC offers FEPAC-accredited programs. Program applicants should note that several reputable forensic sciences, criminal justice, and crime scene investigation programs do not have FEPAC accreditation. In this case, the institutional accreditation of a particular school should carry more weight in the decision process.

For institutional accreditation, six regional agencies are recognized by the US Department of Labor. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is the main accreditation body, offering program approvals across Washington, DC.