
Overview
36-credit Master of Forensic Sciences with Criminalistics and Investigation specializations, offered online, in person and hybrid; some Criminalistics courses may require in-person laboratory participation.
- Official program name
- Master of Forensic Sciences
- Awarded degree
- Master of Forensic Sciences · major: Forensic SciencesSource: nu.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: nu.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: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- School
- Location
- San Diego, CAFor 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 (“Forensic Sciences”)
- Tracks / concentrations
- Criminalistics · InvestigationSource: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Required credits
- at least 36 semester credit hoursSource: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Duration
- 24 months average completion time (printed average completion time)A minimum under the stated conditions, not a typical length.Source: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Why this program is listed
Dedicated Master of Forensic Sciences with a laboratory-oriented Criminalistics specialization and an Investigation specialization.
Degree title names forensic sciences; Criminalistics and Investigation specializations.
Source: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026We 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 offered
- On campus · Online · HybridSource: nu.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
Attendance requirements as published
In-person labs Not verified
Some Criminalistics courses may require in-person laboratory participation; delivery format may vary by specialization.
Source: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Curriculum
Capstone
- A Supervised Research Project course is required.Source: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Natural-science content
- Criminalistics specialization courses include trace evidence, forensic toxicology and forensic serology and DNA.Source: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Science prerequisites
- The Criminalistics specialization requires an undergraduate degree in a laboratory or physical science; the Investigation specialization has no specific major requirement.Source: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Laboratory components
- Some Criminalistics courses may require in-person laboratory participation.Source: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Digital evidence focus
- A required Digital Evidence course covers different types of digital-related crime and chain of custody.Source: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Accelerated options
- Accelerated pathways from BS Biology, BS Criminal Justice Administration, BS Cybersecurity and BA Psychology can reduce the MFS from 12 courses to as few as 10.Source: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Careers and licensure
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
- Application fee
- Not required$0 application fee; no essays or exams.Source: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Tests
Entrance and English-language test policy: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances.
Start dates and deadlines
Application deadlines: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
Tuition and fees
| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All students — Master of Forensic Sciences, base rate per creditFrom the school-wide rate table for this level | $683 | per creditCalculated tuition$24,588 = 36 credits × $683 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: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026 |
Other published fees
- Course material fee (per course)
- $105 per courseSource: nu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Scholarships and funding
Program-specific scholarships: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
Accreditation
Institutional accreditation
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) — 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 California.
International applicants
Not verified for the online option.
Sources and verification
- DAPIP — WSCUC institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-10) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 10, 2026
- nu.edu/admissions/tuition/ — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 24, 2026
- nu.edu/degrees/professional-studies/programs/master-forensic-sciences/ — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
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Similar programs at other schools
Same degree level and focus. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
Master of Science in Forensic Science
Master of Forensic Sciences
Criminal Justice Degrees is independent and not affiliated with National University. Information is collected from official pages and directories and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.