Forensic and Fraud Examination, M.S.
John Chambers College of Business and Economics
The Master of Science in Forensic and Fraud Examination, offered by the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, leads the way in developing the national curriculum for fraud and forensic accounting programs on behalf of the National Institute of Justice. You will study curriculum that teaches you how to detect, uncover, and prove fraud and other financial crimes by businesses and employees. By gaining an interdisciplinary skill set which covers business, law, cost accounting, taxation, and data technology, you will gain real-world expertise in fraud and financial crime examination.
Cost:
$1,043 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
10 Courses / 30 Credits
Duration:
One to two years / 8-week terms
Dates:
Next Start: January 12, 2026 Admission Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
Learning Format:
Online courses and virtual residencies
Program Overview
Detect Fraudulent Activity
This program will prepare you to detect, investigate, and prevent financial fraud and white-collar crime. Developed in partnership with the National Institute of Justice, this program equips you with the interdisciplinary expertise needed to lead in a high-demand field.
- Cutting-Edge Curriculum: Learn to investigate fraud, money laundering, terrorism financing, and more through real-world case studies and legal simulations.
- Experiential Learning: Pitch cases to IRS criminal investigators and testify in moot court scenarios to gain hands-on experience.
- Career-Ready Skills: Build expertise in business, law, accounting, taxation, and data technology to meet the needs of federal agencies and private firms.
- High-Demand Opportunities: Prepare for roles with the FBI, SEC, and organizations navigating Dodd-Frank and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.
- Flexible Online Format: Study from anywhere while gaining the practical skills in forensic accounting and fraud examination.
Curriculum
The 30 credit-hour online program is comprised of a core curriculum of forensic and fraud examination classes centered on data analytics for success in this career path. Students complete this program in one to two years with two required virtual residencies. The core curriculum is paired with an area of emphasis in either Business Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, or Management to create a well-balanced approach to the field. Courses build throughout the program to incorporate previously acquired skills and allow students to immediately put those skills to use through hands-on experiential learning.
Put your investigative skills to the test in FFE’s capstone experiences. You will work on cases involving:
- Basic fraud
- Money laundering
- Organized crime
- Terrorism financing
- Financial Statement Fraud
- Litigation support
Some experiences include:
- Pitching an investigative case to real IRS criminal investigators
- Testifying with findings in a moot court scenario and interacting with real attorneys to gain an understanding of the legal court process
- Business Cybersecurity
- Business Data Analytics
- Management
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners: Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs)
- National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts: Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA)
- Included in your tuition are these prep courses and case studies that make you eligible and qualified to sit for the CFE Exam and CVA Exam.
- ACCT 580: Accounting for Forensic and Fraud Investigators, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 581: Fraud Investigation, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 582: Fraud Data Analysis, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 583: Fraud: Criminology/Legal Issues, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 584: Advanced Fraud Investigation, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 585: Forensic and Fraud Examination Advanced Analytical Techniques, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 586: Private Company Valuation, 3 credit hours
- Business Cybersecurity Management (Select three of the following)
- CYBR 525: Information Security Assurance Management
- CYBR 530: Business Data Communications
- CYBR 535: Business Network Security
- CYBR 540: Information Ethics and Legal Procedures
- Business Data Analytics (Select three of the following)
- BUDA 525: Business Statistical Methods 1
- BUDA 540: Decision Sciences and Analytics
- BUDA 545: Business Simulation Modeling
- BUDA 550: Business Data Visualization
- Management (Select three of the following)
- BADM 621: Business Research
- BADM 622: Financial Statements Analysis
- BADM 630: Corporate Leadership
- BADM 641: Decision Analysis for Executives
- BADM 644: Legal Environment and Ethics
Year One, Fall Semester
- ACCT 580, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 581, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 586, 3 credit hours
- AoE Course, 3 credit hours
Total: 12 credit hours
Year One, Spring Semester
- ACCT 583, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 585, 3 credit hours
- AoE Courses, 6 credit hours
Total: 12 credit hours
Year One, Summer Semester
- ACCT 582, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 584, 3 credit hours
Total: 6 credit hours
Grand Total: 30 credit hours
Year One, Fall Semester
- ACCT 580, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 581, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 586, 3 credit hours
- AoE Course, 3 credit hours
Total: 12 credit hours
Year One, Spring Semester
- ACCT 583, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 585, 3 credit hours
- AoE Course, 3 credit hours
Total: 9 credit hours
Year One, Summer Semester
- ACCT 582, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 584, 3 credit hours
- AoE Course, 3 credit hours
Total: 9 credit hours
Grand Total: 30 credit hours
Year One, Fall Semester
- ACCT 580, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 581, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 586, 3 credit hours
- AoE Course, 3 credit hours
Total: 12 credit hours
Year One, Spring Semester
- ACCT 583, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 585, 3 credit hours
- AoE Course, 3 credit hours
Total: 9 credit hours
Year One, Summer Semester
- ACCT 582, 3 credit hours
- ACCT 584, 3 credit hours
- AoE Course, 3 credit hours
Total: 9 credit hours
Grand Total: 30 credit hours
Video: The Student Experience
Admissions Events
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
Successful completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
- Create a username and password
- Once an account has been created, applicants can edit the application at their discretion. Please complete all questions asked.
- Upload an up-to-date resume.
- Pay an application fee.
- Submit application.
- Applicants will then need to send their transcripts to WVU's Office of Admissions.
- If the applicant's undergraduate school offers "e-script" (an official electronic copy of transcripts), email the transcripts to GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu. This will help expedite the admissions process.
- If they do not offer this service, please have your official transcripts mailed to: WVU Hub P.O. Box 6004 Morgantown, WV 26506
- International Students - WVU’s minimum score requirements for English proficiency
are:
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Connect with Our Team
Ann Clayton Online Admissions Coach
(304) 293-0915 Ann.Clayton@mail.wvu.edu
Explore Profile Schedule Chat
Careers and Employment
Put your investigative skills to the test in FFE’s capstone experiences. You will work on cases involving:
- Basic fraud
- Money laundering
- Organized crime
- Terrorism financing
- Financial Statement Fraud
- Litigation support
Some experiences include:
- Pitching an investigative case to real IRS criminal investigators
- Testifying with findings in a moot court scenario and interacting with real attorneys to gain an understanding of the legal court process
This experiential learning curriculum ensures that you can “hit the ground running” in your job.
Career Paths
- Fraud Examiner/Investigator
- Forensic Science Technician
- Criminal Investigator
- Special Agent
- Quality Control Analyst
- Private Detective