American Academy of Forensic Sciences Accredits VCU’s Undergraduate Forensic Science Degree

By Anne Buckley

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences has awarded full, five-year accreditation to Virginia Commonwealth University's bachelor of science degree in forensic science.

The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission, FEPAC, an arm of the larger organization, made the recommendation following a rigorous review that included a site visit.

"VCU was the first to offer an undergraduate forensic science program in Virginia, and we are very proud that the relatively new degree received accreditation so quickly," said Robert D. Holsworth, dean of VCU's College of Humanities and Sciences. "The designation will help attract even more students from across the United States."

William B. Eggleston, chair of the Forensic Science program, said "the accreditation makes VCU one of just two programs in the United States that are accredited at both the graduate and undergraduate level."

FEPAC last year accredited VCU's graduate program in forensic science, making it one of only five accredited graduate forensic science programs in the country.

The accreditation recognizes and distinguishes high-quality forensic science programs at colleges and universities. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences, AAFS, is a professional society dedicated to the application of science to law. Its nearly 6,000 members include physicians, attorneys, dentists, toxicologists, physical anthropologists, document examiners, psychiatrists, physicists, engineers, criminalists, educators and others. The academy publishes the Journal of Forensic Sciences.