2009 International LERN Awards
Programming Nomination
West Virginia University (WVU) Extended Learning
Program: Forensics (Currently Offering 11 Courses)
1. Number of Participants & Brief History of Program
May 1, 2006 to December 15, 2006 (Launched 2 Courses) – 140 Total Students
Year 2007 (Added Additional 5 Courses) – 306 Total Students
Year 2008 through July 31, 2008 (Added Additional 4 Courses & Additional Section for
1 Course) – 440 Total Students
Format: There are currently eleven courses within the Forensic Science Research program. They
are all non-credit, online, and self-paced courses. Each of the eleven 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 – 10 weeks
Hair Evaluation for DNA Analysis – 10 weeks
Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) – 8 weeks
Introduction to Firearms and Toolmarks – 8 weeks
Introduction to Forensic Drug Chemistry – 6 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 eleven courses
offer International Learning Units (ILUs) with Roles in Forensic Science: The Sociological
Perspective carrying the least ILUs at 2.1 and Hair Evaluation for DNA Analysis carrying the
most at 4.2 ILUs. (Previous to fall term 2008, continuing education units (CEUs) were offered.)
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 Dean of Extended Learning.
2. Programming Background
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.
The courses are innovative as advanced multi-media technology is used throughout the
program. For instance, in the Hair Examination for DNA Analysis course, there is a 3D
demonstration of a human hair follicle growing in the Microscopical Hair Examinations section
of the course. This technology is not only creative and cutting edge, but enhances the learning
experience through simulations and manipulation of data.
The Forensic Science Research non-credit program is unique in that there are few
providers nationally that can deliver high caliber forensic content quickly. The professionals and
material are in such high demand that the content can’t be developed and designed fast enough to
address audience needs. Originally, WVU’s Forensic Science Research Department started with
one program coordinator to manage and teach non-credit courses. Since then an instructional
coordinator has been added to assist in writing course content, and that person, as well as two
other instructors are now facilitating course instruction. Up until recently, Continuing and
Professional Education and the Instructional Technology Resource Center worked together to
design the courses. However, because of audience demand being so high, the Forensic Science
Research Department recently hired their own multimedia designer in an attempt to complete
projects more expeditiously.
3. Participant Fees and Cost of Program
The NIJ Award provided the WVU Forensic Science Research Department the
opportunity for research, help in identifying the demand for course content, and assisted with
personnel resources. In addition to the NIJ scholarship, $30 was assessed for general and
administrative fees for forensic scientists, law enforcement officers and technicians, and public
safety employees. These fees cover processing of student registrations, computer support for
students through the WVU Help Desk, and generating and mailing of ILU certificates. Other
audience members interested in the forensic science program include insurance agents, secondary
education science teachers, and college students. Since this audience doesn’t meet the eligibility
requirements for the NIJ scholarship, the course cost for student registration is now set at $199.
Previously (prior to the fall 2008 term), the course cost was set at $177 per student registration.
An instructional designer and graphic designer from the Instructional Technology
Resource Center (ITRC) worked with the WVU Forensic Science Research Department program
coordinator in creating the course in Blackboard’s Vista LMS. A timeline was established so that
project deadlines would be met, and concerns or problems could be addressed quickly. As
mentioned in the previous section, the Forensic Science Research Department continues to
develop course content, and now uses their own multimedia designer to upload material to
Blackboard Vista LMS. The Instructional Technology Resource Center provides assistance in
troubleshooting problems and questions as they arise.
All the courses in the program are posted on the WVU Extended Learning website giving
information about course requirements, cost, and instructions on how to register online.
Registration and payment is available via e-commerce where students can select the course and
pay. Once a student registers online, class access with login information is emailed to the
student.
4. Income Generated & Narrative on Why Program Is Exemplary
Hair Evaluation for DNA Analysis was the first course launched in the program, and the
instructor set 50 as the maximum student capacity for enrollment. This was quickly reached and
surpassed in summer 2007 with 68 total students. In 2008, it was mandated by the federal
government that in order to meet accreditation requirements, public laboratory employees were
required to take an ethics course. Our Ethics in Forensic Science course reached an enrollment
for spring 2008 of 140 total students which required an additional section to be added at that time.
WVU Extended Learning has collected approximately $27,000 just in general and
administrative fees for this program in a little over two years. It should be mentioned that NIJ
students must pay the $30 general and administrative fee to WVU Extended Learning. Apart from
the WVU Extended Learning website, all advertising efforts are assumed by the WVU Forensic
Science Research Department. E-mail notifications to previous students, workshop
announcements, and trade journal advertising have become the primary promotional efforts for
this course. WVU Extended Learning is looking to expand its marketing efforts to international
forensic audiences in spring 2009.
Since this program is taught in an online format, it has made it possible for a national
audience of NIJ students and other interested professionals to take the courses and receive ILU
certification. Although some registrations come from West Virginia, we actually have students
from 41 states that have enrolled in this program. The WVU Forensic Science Department has
been recognized nationally for their undergraduate degree program, and now they have added
non-credit to their national recognition.
In October 2008, two more courses will be added to the Forensic curriculum. They are:
Forensic Science 101 and Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. Courses being planned for
launch by January 2009 are: Shooting Scene Reconstruction, Perspectives in Expert Testimony,
and Forensic Fiber and Textile Examinations.