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Kimmy Gustafson
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Accredited Forensic Engineering Programs
“Forensic engineers look at failed engineered systems. Whether it be a roadway or a machine crane, we investigate things that fail that were designed by engineers. What we ask is, why did they fail? Was it the design design? Was it during the construction process? Was it during the machining process? Was it a materials problem? It is a really cool job.”Richard Rice, President and Forensic Engineer, Mutual Engineering, Inc. (MEI)
Forensic engineers are specialists who investigate when a building or structure fails. They can determine what materials or missteps caused a bridge to collapse or a building to crumble. With this information, legal action may be taken against the owner or construction company behind the building. Like other forensic occupations, forensic engineers have a job that intersects with the legal system.
Forensic engineers may also simply need to aid an attorney in an engineering matter or incident that needs legal resolution. These engineers often make use of trace evidence from the scene of an incident and then use their analysis, investigative skills, and engineering expertise to determine what actually happened and where the fault lies. This aspect of engineering can lead to the type of interesting career that some engineering students may be looking for.
People who may succeed the most in forensic engineering will generally be thrilled by the science and investigative aspects of their careers. While the legal aspects are important, many in the field have a burning need to know why a produced item failed to do what it was supposed to do. The National Academy of Forensic Engineers can offer credentials and more information about the field. Typically, forensic engineers will need a minimum of a master of science degree with a concentration in forensic engineering, for which a few programs are available.
Meet the Expert: Richard Rice, PE
Richard Rice is the president and forensic engineer for Mutual Engineering, Inc. (MEI). For 30-plus years, Rice has provided civil, structural, and construction engineering services to both governmental and private entities throughout the United States. He frequently provides forensic engineering services to the legal, insurance, and construction industries on various civil and structural engineering matters such as structural collapse, roadway design and construction, building construction/inspection and code compliance, construction site incidents, and other property loss subjects.
Rice is a licensed professional engineer in several states and a Board Certified Forensic Engineer with the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE).
ForensicsColleges.com: What do you wish the public understood about forensic engineering programs?
Rice: Forensic engineers look at failed engineered systems. Whether it be a roadway or a machine crane, we investigate things that fail that were designed by engineers. What we ask is, why did they fail? Was it the design design? Was it during the construction process? Was it during the machining process? Was it a materials problem? It is a really cool job.
You never do the same thing every day, and each day, something new or strange comes in, and you get dirty and find out what happened.
ForensicsColleges.com: What advice would you give to aspiring forensic engineering students?
Rice: Don’t get in a hurry because there’s so much you need to learn. If you want to be a forensic engineer, you need to get your four-year degree first. As soon as you’re done, you can take what’s called the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam to become an engineering intern. Then, you can work for a traditional design engineering company. When you have worked that job for at least four years you can take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam.
Then, it wouldn’t be bad to continue working to get at least seven to ten years of design experience before you consider becoming a forensic engineer. Why? You need the expertise. Attorneys will not hire somebody to investigate a failed machine design who has never designed a machine.
Forensic Engineering Programs: Common Admissions Prerequisites & Courses
Associate Degree in Forensic Engineering
There are no available associate degree programs in forensic engineering. However, students interested in pursuing the career and unable to commit to a bachelor’s degree right away may consider an associate degree in a related field, such as general engineering or civil engineering.
- Application requirements: official transcripts from high school (or equivalent), competitive GPA (e.g.,>2.75), personal statement (500-600 words), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for non-native speakers of English, and an application fee.
- Common courses: general chemistry, introduction to computer science, analytic geometry, calculus, general physics, and linear algebra.
- Sample program: Saddleback College
Saddleback College offers an associate of science degree in general engineering, providing transfer students the opportunity to achieve an associate degree and transfer into programs in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and many others at California State Universities. While a bachelor’s degree is often recommended for candidates considering professional engineering-related careers, earning this associate degree would help them demonstrate achievement and may also support their employment as technicians in engineering-related fields.
This 60-credit program includes courses in general physics, statics, engineering technology, engineering graphics, automotive engineering fundamentals, ecological restoration techniques, and many more electives related to engineering.
- Location: Mission Viejo, CA
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Engineering
As with associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs do not specialize in forensic engineering, although a bachelor’s degree is an important stepping stone to the career. Students should look for programs in civil engineering, structural engineering, or other degrees that build a strong educational foundation for the intricacies of buildings, bridges, and other structures.
- Application requirements: official transcripts from high school (or equivalent), competitive GPA (e.g.,>2.75), personal statement (500-600 words), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) scores, TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, and application fee.
- Common courses: structures and design, structural materials, spatial visualization, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, computer-aided design, transportation systems, project management, hydraulic engineering, and chemistry.
- Sample program: University of California at San Diego (UCSD)
The University of California at San Diego’s Department of Structural Engineering offers an ABET-accredited bachelor of science degree in structural engineering. The degree requires a minimum of 145 units, plus college requirements in social sciences and humanities.
The curriculum includes courses such as an introduction to structures, engineering graphic design, statics, dynamics, solid mechanics, structural materials, vibrations, fluid mechanics, finite element analysis, structural analysis, and linear algebra.
Graduates will be prepared with an adaptable degree for pursuing the nation’s top engineering fields, such as forensic engineering, aerospace engineering, architectural engineering, civil engineering, energy structures, and structural engineering.
- Location: La Jolla, CA
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC); ABET
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
Master’s Degree in Forensic Engineering
At the master’s degree level, students can find specialized forensic engineering programs. However, those who earn a master’s degree in a more general engineering field such as structural or civil engineering may still be eligible for future training in forensic engineering.
- Application requirements: official transcripts from a bachelor’s program (e.g., civil engineering, mechanical engineering, structural engineering) with a competitive GPA (e.g., >3.0), proof of specific coursework (e.g., physics, geometry, certain design courses, etc.), personal statement, interview (in-person or web-based), letter(s) of recommendation, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, and an application fee.
- Common courses: forensic structural engineering, advanced concepts in failure analysis and forensic engineering, construction industry law, earthquake and wind engineering, advanced design of steel structures, bridge design, soil mechanics, and foundation engineering.
- Sample program: Columbia University
Columbia University’s Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics offers a master of science program in civil engineering and engineering mechanics. This 30-credit program allows students to choose from several concentration options. One such concentration is in forensic (structural) engineering. To prepare graduates for the eventual practice of forensic structural engineering, this concentration acquaints graduates with various forensic engineering aspects, providing them with the basics for investigating failures and helping them understand some of the pertinent legal aspects.
The curriculum includes courses on the prevention and resolution of construction disputes, construction industry law, forensic structural engineering, structural failures: cases, causes, and lessons learned, principles of construction techniques, managing civil infrastructure systems, and geotechnical engineering fundamentals.
- Location: New York, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Doctoral Degree in Forensic Engineering
Those who complete a master’s degree in forensic engineering or a broader engineering topic may choose to pursue a PhD, which will allow them to work in academia and could help to further other professional opportunities.
- Application requirements: official transcripts from all university degrees with a competitive GPA (e.g., >3.2), completion of specific coursework, resume or CV, personal statement, interview (in-person or web-based), letter(s) of recommendation, Graduate Record Examination (GRE), TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, and an application fee.
- Common courses: doctoral research; dissertation or capstone project
- Sample program: Columbia University
In addition to the master of science program, Columbia University also offers two doctoral degree programs in civil engineering and engineering mechanics. The doctor of engineering science (EngScD) program is administered by The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the doctor of philosophy (PhD) program is administered by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Both have identical academic requirements regarding theses, examinations, and courses but different residency requirements. These doctoral degrees also offer a concentration in forensic (structural) engineering.
Applicants to the program must obtain a master’s degree before enrolling as candidates for either the PhD or EngScD degree. Notably, PhD degree candidates must complete six residential units.
- Location: New York, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: To be completed within six to seven years
Forensic Engineering Degree & Certificate Programs – Traditional
Students interested in forensic engineering must have an engineering degree first. These engineering degree fields could include (but are not limited to) civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical, and petroleum. As students start a bachelor’s degree, they will take more general education courses and then continue on to more engineering-focused coursework such as introduction to engineering systems, advanced math, and coursework designed specifically for the many available engineering fields.
Following are a few programs available to prospective forensic engineers. Although not all have a specific focus on forensic engineering, each will provide a valuable foundation on which to build the career.
University of California at Berkeley
The University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley or Cal) offers a master of science (MS) degree in structural engineering, mechanics, and materials as part of its Civil and Environmental Engineering school. This MS program deeply examines issues critical to an aspiring forensic engineer, including structural design, structural dynamics, and concrete technology. Students also have the option to pursue a joint MS in structural engineering and a master of architecture (MArch).
Courses include structural analysis theory and applications, finite element methods, civil engineering materials, structural mechanics, experimental methods in structural engineering, behavior and plastic design of steel structures, design of steel and composite structures, behavior of reinforced concrete, statistical mechanics of elasticity, and structural mechanics.
- Location: Berkeley, CA
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Texas Tech University (TTU) offers a graduate forensic engineering (CFE) certificate. This certificate is available to those pursuing or who already hold a master’s degree in engineering. The CFE program consists of six required courses (15 credits) and should take students approximately 18 months to complete.
Courses include advanced concepts in failure analysis and forensic engineering, advanced topics in mechanical engineering: legal aspects of forensic science and engineering, safety engineering, wind engineering, advanced foundation engineering, and a capstone project.
Applicants must be current master’s or PhD students in engineering, or current JD students pursuing the JD/MEng program, or students holding a graduate-level degree from an accredited institution. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission.
- Location: Lubbock, TX
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 months
Northwestern University offers an MS in structural engineering and design that requires four core courses, three courses from either the design or research track and five electives. Students with bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering or similar undergraduate coursework can apply for this program. Once accepted, students must select one of two civil engineering tracks: design or research.
As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as the stability of structures, the theory of plates and shells, structural design, mechanics of continua, dynamics of structures, theory of elasticity, structural steel design, reinforced concrete design, engineering project management, uncertainty analysis, and mechanics of vibrations.
- Location: Evanston, IL
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Online and Hybrid Programs in Forensic Engineering
In some cases, students will find it more advantageous to take some of their courses online. While they may be available in the future, as of 2024, just one forensic engineering program is available entirely online. However, some engineering colleges can offer online and hybrid options in related areas.
University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law offers a master of legal studies program in forensic engineering specifically designed for non-lawyers seeking to enhance their legal expertise. Developed in partnership with The Vertex Companies, this online program equips students with the experience, skills, and knowledge needed to serve as experts in design defects and construction matters.
This fully online 24-credit program includes courses such as construction law, forensic and scientific evidence, introduction to contracts and torts, introduction to forensics and construction dispute resolution, forensic scheduling, legal writing and research for non-lawyers, and remedies in construction law.
- Location: Denver, CO
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (12 months); part-time (24 months)
The University of Kansas offers an online master’s in civil engineering and several civil engineering certificates in structural forensics, structural analysis, and structural design. These programs provide students with the advanced technical expertise needed for career advancement and preparation for professional exams, including the structural engineering exam.
Applicants to the program must have an undergraduate degree in civil-related engineering with a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. No essay or GRE is required for admission.
The graduate certificate in structural forensics comprises 12 credits and includes courses such as structural engineering materials, corrosion engineering, experimental stress analysis, introduction to fracture mechanics, and experimental structural dynamics.
- Location: Overland Park, KS
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Master’s (24 months); graduate certificate (12 months)
Forensic Engineering Credentialing
After earning an education, many forensic engineers choose to pursue professional certification. Forensic engineers may apply for certification from two different bodies:
- All members of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) are conferred with the distinction of Board Certified Diplomate in Forensic Engineering. To join NAFE, applicants must be members of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and must be registered Professional Engineers. In addition, applicants must “have appropriate engineering education, licensure, and practice experience” and must provide professional references who are familiar with their work specific to forensic engineering.
- Applicants choosing to pursue certification from the International Board of Forensic Engineering Sciences must submit details about their education, professional forensic experience, competence in technical matters, and ethics issues, which are considered alongside general knowledge during a peer-review process. Upon passing the peer review, applicants will sit for a written and oral exam. Those who pass must be recertified every five years.
Accreditation
Accreditation is always important whether choosing online or campus-based engineering schools. Specific forensic engineering programs will be hard to find, and students will most likely be able to enter the field simply through experience gained on the job and additional specialized coursework. Accreditation means that a school has met or exceeded certain standards to guarantee that students will receive quality instruction and needed skills.
Programmatic Accreditation
Programmatic accreditation is specific to an engineering program. The University of California, for example, has accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Other accreditation agencies for engineering schools include the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).
Institutional Accreditation
In addition to programmatic accreditation, schools should have institutional accreditation from a recognized accrediting body, such as the Higher Learning Commission, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Those taking engineering courses should make it a point to look at a school’s accreditation beforehand to ensure that their program has been accredited as one of quality.
Kimmy Gustafson’s expertise and passion for investigative storytelling extends to the world of forensics, where she brings a wealth of knowledge and captivating narratives to readers seeking insights into this intriguing world. She has interviewed experts on little-known topics, such as how climate crimes are investigated and prosecuted, and has written for ForensicsColleges.com since 2019.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.
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Rachel Drummond, MEd
Rachel Drummond has given her writing expertise to ForensicsColleges.com since 2019, where she provides a unique perspective on the intersection of education, mindfulness, and the forensic sciences. Her work encourages those in the field to consider the role of mental and physical well-being in their professional success.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.