Forensic Science Degree Programs in West Virginia

Updated September 15, 2026

West Virginia offers forensic-science-related degrees from certificate to master’s, with dedicated programs at West Virginia University, Marshall University, Fairmont State University, and Glenville State University. Forensic science technicians in West Virginia earn a median $63,330 a year, and detectives and criminal investigators earn $92,410, both per BLS data from May 2025.

West Virginia’s remote communities often coordinate law enforcement resources across county lines, and forensic science plays a direct role in how those investigations get worked: collecting and preserving evidence, maintaining a clear chain of custody, and building cases that hold up in court. If you’re weighing a forensic science path in this state, here’s what the degree options, the schools, and the paycheck actually look like.

Reach out to programs on our list of forensic science colleges in West Virginia.

Featured Programs:

What Can I Do with a Forensic Science Degree in West Virginia?

Crime reported across eight categories in Charleston rose about 17% in 2016, according to the WV Gazette Mail. That’s one city’s one-year trend, and it doesn’t by itself measure demand for forensic scientists, but forensic professionals play a real role in any jurisdiction’s caseload: collecting and preserving evidence and maintaining chain-of-custody standards that keep cases from falling apart on a technicality.

Forensic Science Degrees in West Virginia

The degree you pick shapes the job options you’ll have later, so compare current curricula, lab requirements, accreditation, internship opportunities, and admissions standards before enrolling. West Virginia’s own forensic-science programs run mostly at the bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate level. If you’re looking for an associate-level path instead, the national guide to forensic science associate degrees covers that route. Alongside lab-based forensic science, some schools offer a digital-forensics specialization, which examines evidence like device activity and financial records rather than biological or trace evidence.

Example Digital-Forensics Coursework

Intrusion Detection
Internet Security
Computer Forensics
Mobile Device Forensics

Course names and sequencing vary by school. Confirm the exact curriculum against the current catalog of the program you’re considering.

A bachelor’s degree in forensic science is typically a four-year, full-time program. If you’re transferring in with an associate degree, some credits may apply toward the major, though transfer rules vary by school and aren’t automatic. Lab time matters here: forensic science coursework leans heavily on hands-on instruction, not just lecture.

Bachelor’s-Level Forensic Science Coursework

Crime Scene Investigation
Professional Forensic Communication
Law and Evidence
Courtroom Testimony

Master’s requirements vary by school. West Virginia University’s M.S. in Forensic and Investigative Science requires a minimum of 40 credit hours plus a thesis. Marshall University’s M.S. in Forensic Science totals 38 credit hours, with both thesis and non-thesis options. Both are built for roughly two years of full-time study.

Graduate Courses in Forensic Science

Foundations of Criminalistics
Forensic Laboratory Management
Firearms Examination
Trace Evidence Examination

A certificate is worth considering too, either before a degree or after one. Requirements vary by program: some undergraduate certificates carry prerequisites, and graduate certificates generally require a bachelor’s already in hand. West Virginia University’s graduate certificate in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination, for example, requires a bachelor’s degree, runs 12 credits, and is built for about a year of study.

Certificate in Forensic Accounting

Fraud Investigation
Fraud Data Analysis
Fraud Criminology
Advanced Fraud Investigation

Where to Study Forensic Science in West Virginia

Federal education data classifies Forensic Science and Technology under its own six-digit code, 43.0406, but the College Scorecard’s public field-of-study file reports at the broader four-digit level, 43.04 Security Science and Technology, which also covers disciplines like cyber/computer forensics and financial forensics. A school listed under this family isn’t automatically a forensic-science-specific program, and federal data can lag what a school currently offers.

Institution	Control	Credential Level(s)
West Virginia University	Public	Bachelor’s, Master’s
Marshall University	Public	Master’s
Fairmont State University	Public	Bachelor’s
Glenville State University	Public	Bachelor’s
University of Charleston	Private nonprofit	Formerly Master’s — program discontinued, not a current option
American Public University System (WV-based, delivered online)	Private for-profit	Bachelor’s, Undergraduate certificate

West Virginia University and Marshall University run the two programs most directly branded as forensic science in this state. Confirm current admission requirements, course sequencing, and enrollment status directly with each school before applying.

School and program data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, institution file May 2025 and field-of-study file April 2025. Data accessed September 2026.

Working as a Forensic Scientist in West Virginia

Hands-on lab experience and an internship pay off before your first forensic science job. WVU currently requires internships for its undergraduate forensic students, and Marshall’s M.S. includes a 10-week forensic-science internship. Professional organizations and student chapters can also open doors, though there’s no guarantee attached to networking alone.

If you want to build a career analyzing evidence, forensic science technician is the role to target. As of BLS’s May 2025 wage data, forensic science technicians in West Virginia earn a median $63,330 a year. ProjectionsCentral’s 2024-34 outlook has the role growing from 100 to 110 positions statewide, a 13.3% increase, with about 10 average annual openings.

A forensic science background can also lead toward criminal investigation, though becoming a sworn detective generally requires broader law enforcement training and experience first. As of the same May 2025 BLS data, criminal investigators in West Virginia earn a median $92,410 a year, nearly $29,000 more than forensic science technicians. ProjectionsCentral projects the role growing from 200 to 210 positions between 2024 and 2034, a 3.5% increase, with about 10 average annual openings.

May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Forensic Science Technicians and Detectives and Criminal Investigators. Long-term (2024-34) job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, ProjectionsCentral. Figures reflect state-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a college degree to become a forensic science technician in West Virginia?

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for forensic science technicians, though an associate degree can be enough for some entry-level lab support roles. Hands-on lab training matters, but it doesn’t replace an employer’s formal education requirement.

What’s the difference between a forensic science technician and a criminal investigator?

A forensic science technician processes evidence, in the field or in a lab: fingerprints, DNA, trace materials, and firearms analysis. A criminal investigator works the case itself: interviewing witnesses, coordinating with other agencies, and testifying in court. The two roles are distinct but can overlap at a crime scene, in evidence handling, and in testimony.

Which West Virginia schools offer forensic-science-related degrees?

West Virginia University, Marshall University, Fairmont State University, and Glenville State University all currently run dedicated forensic-science or forensic-specialization programs. American Public University System, a West Virginia-based institution, offers related programs online. Federal education data also lists the University of Charleston, but its forensic-related master’s has since been discontinued. Confirm current program details directly with each school.

How much do forensic science jobs pay in West Virginia?

Forensic science technicians earn a median $63,330 a year, and criminal investigators earn a median $92,410, both per May 2025 BLS wage data. Pay varies by agency, lab, and years of experience.

Key Takeaways

Four schools, dedicated programs – West Virginia University, Marshall University, Fairmont State University, and Glenville State University all currently run forensic-science or forensic-specialization programs.
Lab work pays real money – Forensic science technicians earn a median $63,330 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Investigating pays more, but asks more first – Criminal investigators earn a median $92,410, nearly $29,000 more, and usually require broader law enforcement experience to get there.
Growth is fast, openings are few – Forensic science tech roles are projected to grow 13.3% through 2034, but only about 10 openings a year statewide.
Confirm details with the school – Federal education data is a snapshot, not a live catalog. The University of Charleston’s program on this same federal list has already been discontinued.

If cost is part of what’s holding you back, scholarships for forensic science students are worth checking before you look at loans.

Looking for Forensic Science Programs in Another State?

Want the bigger picture? Read the full guide to Compare Forensic Scientist Schools & Training Programs.