Forensics is a very high profile field with television shows like CSI being very well-received.  As a result of the popularity, there is a great deal of interest as well as a lot of misconceptions regarding this career.  The courses were a creative solution not only for the professionals in the field to keep abreast of the rapid scientific growth, but also for other interested audiences to receive accurate information.

Format
The current courses within the Forensic Science Research program are listed below.  They are all non-credit, online, and self-paced courses.  Each of the courses and their average completion time is listed below. 

• Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) – 8 weeks
• The Basics of Biological Evidence – 6 to 8 weeks
• Ethics in Forensic Science – 8 weeks
• Forensic Mass Spectrometry – 10 weeks
• Forensic Photography - 8 weeks
• Hair Evaluation for DNA Analysis – 10 weeks
• Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) - 8 weeks
• Introduction to Forensic Drug Chemistry - 6 weeks
• Introduction to Firearms and Toolmarks - 8 weeks
• Roles in Forensic Science: The Sociological Perspective - 12 weeks
• The Science of Fingerprints – 8 weeks

Clientele
Under partnership with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), forensic scientists, law enforcement officers and technicians, and public safety employees are awarded a scholarship which covers the base cost of the courses. These individuals must meet employment eligibility requirements and have supervisor approval in order for the NIJ award to cover course cost. Other audiences include security officers, private investigators, or general sleuths. All of the non-credit forensic courses offer International Learning Units (ILUs). Check the course description to determine how many ILUs each course offers.

History
WVU’s Forensic and Investigative Sciences undergraduate degree program is 1 of 16 accredited by Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) and the first degree program of its kind in the country.  Collaboration between the WVU Forensic Science Research Department and WVU Extended Learning identified the online non-credit format as the right delivery method to offer high quality material in a timely and evolving manner. Courses were developed in-house by instructional and multimedia designers in conjunction with nationally recognized faculty.

Purpose
Forensic scientists, law enforcement officers and technicians, and public safety employees are located across the United States with limited opportunity for specialized professional development in the rapidly expanding field of forensic science.  From New York to Washington, the online format has provided access to quality content.  Upon completion of the courses, students are issued a certificate signed by the West Virginia University Extended Learning Dean.  This certificate recognizes that the student has completed the course and has earned ILUs.