Skip to content
Criminal JusticeDegrees
Grand Canyon University logo

Grand Canyon University · College of Natural Sciences

Master of Science in Forensic Science

Master'sMSDedicated degreeOnline

Overview

Online 36-credit Master of Science in Forensic Science combining coursework and lab-based education in forensic biology, chemistry and evidence analysis.

Official program name
Master of Science in Forensic Science
Awarded degree
Master of Science · major: Forensic Science
Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Degree level
Master's
Subject focus
Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science or a closely related justice subject.
Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Forensic type
Laboratory forensic scienceA natural-science degree built around chemistry, biology and laboratory analysis of evidence. Laboratory and prerequisite requirements are listed on the profile.
Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
School
Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Location
Phoenix, AZFor the online option this is where the school is located — not a residency requirement, and not a guarantee that you may enroll from your state.
Subjects
Forensic Science — core of the degree
Required credits
36 credits
Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Duration
Not verified
Why this program is listed

Dedicated MS in Forensic Science offered online with lab-based education.

Degree title names forensic science; coursework covers criminalistics, forensic biology, chemistry, toxicology and instrumental analysis.

Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

We list associate, bachelor's, master's and research-doctorate programs in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science and related subjects at institutionally accredited US schools — degrees in the subject and formal concentrations, never certificates or one-elective degrees. Eligibility rules

Format and attendance

Formats, online delivery, campus visits, internships and class schedule are shown separately, each only as the school states it.
Formats offered
Online
Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Online delivery
Online delivery type not verified
Campus visits (online option)
Campus visits: not verified
Class schedule (online option)
Not verified
Internship
Internship requirement: not verified
Study intensity
Not verified

The program page does not say whether the online option requires campus visits. Ask the school before you apply — missing information is not “no requirement”.

Curriculum

Science prerequisites

  • Admission requires a forensic science or related bachelor's degree, or any bachelor's degree plus chemistry, organic chemistry and advanced biology coursework.
    Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Laboratory components

  • Program combines online coursework with lab-based education.
    Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Careers and licensure

An academic degree and an occupational licence are different things.

Career and licensure statements for this program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

A degree does not guarantee police academy admission, sworn officer certification, federal employment, a security clearance, a position with a named agency, a forensic laboratory job or eligibility to practice as a psychologist. Those have separate training, scientific prerequisites, examinations or hiring requirements set by the agency, state or licensing board. Academic degrees vs police academy training

Admissions

Required, optional, waived and not-required items are shown exactly as the school states them. Anything not listed is not verified — not “not required”.

Technical preparation

Prerequisite courses
RequiredBachelor's in forensic science or related field, or any bachelor's with chemistry, organic chemistry and advanced biology coursework.
Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Minimum GPA
RequiredMinimum 2.8 — Undergraduate degree with 2.8+ GPA, or 2.5+ unweighted GPA with a GMAT 500 / GRE 300 combined score.
Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Transfer credit
OptionalUp to 12 credits or one third of the program, whichever is less.
Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Tests

GRE General Test
Optional — minimum 300Listed as an alternative route for applicants with a 2.5+ unweighted GPA (GRE 300 combined).
Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
GMAT
Optional — minimum 500Listed as an alternative route for applicants with a 2.5+ unweighted GPA.
Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances.

Start dates and deadlines

Dates are shown with the term the school printed. A past date is marked passed and is never carried into a new cycle.

Application deadlines: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Tuition and fees

Each amount keeps its student category, academic year and basis. Per-credit, per-term and whole-program figures are not comparable with each other, and tuition is not the full cost of attendance.
CategoryAmountBasis and year
All students — Online$610per creditCalculated tuition$21,960 = 36 credits × $610 per credit. Excludes mandatory fees, books, travel for any required visits or placements, transfer credit reductions and rate changes. Not the full cost of attendance.Source: gcu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Scholarships and funding

Awards published by the school for this program or for its level. Loans must be repaid and are not scholarships; service scholarships require government service after graduation. Graduate funding guide

Program-specific scholarships: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Accreditation

Two different things: the school's institutional accreditation, and FEPAC accreditation of this exact forensic science program.

Institutional accreditation

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) — accreditedSource: ope.ed.gov · verified October 10, 2026

FEPAC program accreditation

This program does not appear in FEPAC's accredited-program list. FEPAC accredits forensic science programs only and is optional; its absence is not a sign that a program is illegitimate, and the school's other programs or institutional accreditation do not imply it.

State authorization (online students)

Not verified — check the school's state authorization page before applying from outside Arizona.

International applicants

Not verified for the online option.

Sources and verification

Every fact on this page comes from the official pages and directories below. Last verified October 24, 2026.
  1. DAPIP — HLC institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-10) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 10, 2026
  2. gcu.edu/degree-programs/masters-forensic-science — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026

Something out of date? Request a correction · Represent this school? Claim the profile

Similar programs at other schools

Same degree level and focus. Listed for discovery, not ranked.

Arcadia University logo

Arcadia University

Master of Science in Forensic Science

Master'sMSDedicated degreeLaboratory science
Format: Campus · Full-time, Part-time
Location: Glenside, PA
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: 2 years (full-time (as printed on the program page)) · 59 credits
Tuition: $35,150 per academic year · All students — Program page tuition
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: MSCHEFEPAC-accredited program
Subjects: Forensic Science
View program
Cedar Crest College logo

Cedar Crest College

Master of Science in Forensic Science

Master'sMSDedicated degreeLaboratory scienceMaster of Science
Format: Campus · Full-time
Location: Allentown, PA
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: full-time, two-year program (full-time)
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: MSCHEFEPAC-accredited program
Subjects: Forensic Science
View program
George Washington University logo

George Washington University

Master of Forensic Sciences

Master'sMFSDedicated degreeLaboratory science
Format: Campus
Location: Washington, DC
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: Duration not verified · 37 credits
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: MSCHE
Subjects: Forensic Science
View program

Criminal Justice Degrees is independent and not affiliated with Grand Canyon University. Information is collected from official pages and directories and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.