Admission deadlines: Fall – April 1 (February 1 for applicants applying for assistantships/fellowships)
Standardized test scores: GRE not required.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction.
Minimum scores for the program are:
- Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 6.0 with no individual score below 5.0; or
- TOEFL: 550 on paper-based or 80 on Internet-based; or
- PTE Academic: 53
Recommendations required: Two (2) recommendations
Prerequisite requirements: An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological sciences. Applicants must have completed 12 credit hours in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology or molecular genetics, and statistics or population genetics.
Prior academic records: Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission.
If transcripts are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided. The English translation alone should be uploaded into your application.
Statement of purpose: In an essay of 250 – 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in your chosen field. Include your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application.
International applicants only: Please follow this link - https://columbian.gwu.edu/international-graduate-applicants - to review the International Applicant Information carefully for details on required documents, earlier deadlines for applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 from GW.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College  of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact:

askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

Required
FORS 6004Fundamentals of Forensic Science I
FORS 6005Fundamentals of Forensic Science II
FORS 6020Ethics, Professional Responsibility, and Quality Assurance
FORS 6201Forensic Biology
FORS 6224Criminal Law for Forensic Scientists
FORS 6225Statistics for Forensic Scientists
FORS 6241Forensic Molecular Biology I
FORS 6242Forensic Molecular Biology II
FORS 6243Forensic Molecular Biology III
FORS 6247Population Genetics
FORS 6292Graduate Seminar (taken twice) *
Electives
Six additional credits selected in consultation with the departmental advisor
Other requirements
Successful completion of an independent research project is required.
Successful completion of a master’s comprehensive examination is required.
*Students must register for FORS 6292 in their first semester and again after or during the completion of the required independent research project.