Forensic Science
At RWU, our rigorous interdisciplinary Forensic Science program pairs legal courses with a strong scientific background in either biology or chemistry to teach you about the crucial role forensic science plays in criminal justice. You’ll learn how to examine, analyze and testify about physical evidence, which will prepare you for a career as a forensic science technician in a laboratory, hospital, university, medical examiner’s office or police department.
Immersive Crime Scenes
Forensic Science students have a unique opportunity to be fully immersed in processing crime scenes through a one-of-a-kind, virtual-reality crime-scene training program designed for undergraduate students.
Created by Karla-Sue Marriott, professor and director of Forensic Science at RWU, the VR program lets users process crime scenes and use a blood spatter simulator to calculate bloodstain patterns. Students gain valuable experience by using virtual tools including evidence markers and items to collect blood and fingerprints to help solve crimes.
Success By The Numbers
Real-World Experience
SJS students have guaranteed opportunities for internships or co-op experiences at various agencies.
Placement of 2021 Grads
Even with the challenges of the pandemic, our 2021 SJS graduates found success in employment or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation.
Average Starting Salary
of our 2021 graduates.
Degree Requirements
Learning Across Programs 
The interdisciplinary Forensic Science program works closely with RWU’s School of Social and Natural Sciences, including utilizing high-tech lab facilities. Many students choose to pursue certification in biotechnology, developing mastery of technical skills and boosting their resumes.
Get a Great Internship
Our strong industry connections guarantee internships or co-op experiences at a variety of agencies and companies such as the U.S. Marshals Service, R.I. Office of the Attorney General, R.I. State Police, Naval Investigative Service, M.A. State Crime Lab, Raytheon Company, Dell SecureWorks, Security Weekly, MediTech, and FM Global.
Cutting-Edge Technology 
In the Forensics and Networking Security (FANS) lab, students work with cutting-edge technology to learn how to solve issues around hacking and cyberattacks and discover how to acquire, analyze and manage evidence collected from computers or mobile devices.
Study with Top Experts in the Field
Karla-Sue Marriott, Ph.D.
Professor & Director of Forensic Science
Karla-Sue Marriott serves as the director of the Forensic Science Program in the School of Justice Studies. Dr. Marriott was recently credited for using Virtual Reality (VR) as a tool to shift the forensic science educational paradigm and raise the training bar to new heights. She brings this expertise to RWU, involving students in cutting-edge Virtual Reality experiences.
Graduates Share Their Experiences
“There are no better people to learn from than those who are out in the field doing exactly what you want to do. [RWU’s] program has pulled in some really great professors to help get our foot in the door and get students internships and experiences like I’ve had.”
Rebecca Millard '18
Criminalist I at City of Boston Police Department , M.S. in Biomedical Forensic Science from BU School of Medicine
Daryn Javer worked with RWU to land a highly competitive internship with the R.I. State Crime Laboratory where she applied her classroom knowledge to real-world forensic lab work. "Forensic science is a niche field, and it’s growing. I’m excited to be a part of it," she said.
Daryn Javer '19
Criminalist 1 with the Miami-Dade Police Department
Juris Doctor/Bachelor's 3+3 Accelerated Program (J.D.)
Earn your bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees in six years through RWU’s Three-Plus-Three Law program. You’ll get a jump-start on your J.D. by integrating law courses into your undergraduate studies and completing undergraduate requirements in your first year of law school. Accepted students will take first-year courses in the School of Law along with legal electives to fulfill undergraduate fourth-year requirements. Interested students must indicate their intent to pursue a 3+3 pathway early in their undergraduate studies for curriculum planning and advising.