Program Details

Collect evidence and solve a crime at the NSLC on Forensic Science.

At the National Student Leadership Conference summer Forensic Science program, high school students unravel a mystery as they conduct an investigation and build a body of evidence. Interact with experts in medicine, law enforcement and the legal profession who will give you an insider’s view into the life of a professional forensic scientist.

Program Highlights

Crime scene simulation
Work with your team to solve a challenging murder case.

Forensic Workshops
Learn cutting-edge techniques including fingerprint and DNA analysis.

Guest speakers
Meet leading forensic scientists from the FBI, NCIS, Department of Justice and other law enforcement organizations.

Dates & Locations

Note: Space is limited. Please login to the online application to see up-to-date session availability.

American University

Washington, DC

Sample Schedule
Trips & Tours
Explore Location
  • June 11 - June 19
  • June 23 - July 1
  • July 5 - July 13
  • July 17 - July 25

Hands-on Simulations

The NSLC high school program on Forensic Science uses an interactive approach to learning that gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the challenging complexities of crime scene investigation. You and your team will work together to solve the mystery of a realistic crime scene. In this true-to-life simulation, you will gather evidence, study the clues, analyze the data and, maybe, solve the crime.

In small groups you will learn the skills of crime scene investigation.

Topics include:

  • DNA Analysis
  • Blood Spatter Analysis
  • Skeletal Identification
  • Fingerprinting
  • Footwear and Tire Impressions

Meet Forensic Professionals

While at the NSLC’s high school summer forensic science program, you will meet with and learn from leaders in the fields of forensic science and law enforcement. In past years, NSLC students have heard from special guest speakers including top analysts from agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Examples of past guest speakers include:

Commander Edward Reedy
Chief Deputy Medical Examiner, Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner

Special Agent Robert Fram
Scientific Analysis Section Chief, FBI Laboratory

Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, Jr. MD FASCP
Chief Medical Examiner, Washington, D.C.

Dr. Richard Cooter
Director of Forensic Psychology, George Washington University

Dr. Jenifer Smith
Director of the D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS)

Dr. Max Houck
Director, Forensic Science Initiative, West Virginia University

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

An important part of the NSLC high school forensic science program is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sightseeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of Forensic Science. These trips may include:

American University

DEA - U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration | FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation | OCME - Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Northern Virginia | ATF - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives | The Smithsonian Institution | Capitol Hill | Historic Georgetown | D.C. Monuments at Night

Leadership Training

At the heart of each of our youth leadership programs is a curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

Leadership topics tailored to the Forensic Science program include:

  • Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Negotiation
  • Public Speaking
  • Intrapersonal Communication

College Credit Option

American University (AU) and NSLC have a unique partnership that enables you to earn college credit by enrolling in a supplemental online course designed to correlate with your NSLC program’s area of study. By enrolling in this credit course, you will enjoy a stimulating, innovative, and personalized college-level learning experience that builds on your NSLC accomplishments. The course is for one credit and is taught in a self-paced, asynchronous format across six weeks, allowing ample time to complete assignments. The course is designed to work within the framework of NSLC; students are not expected to complete coursework while on campus. Students may register for college credit via their personal student portal (myNSLC) once they have enrolled in an NSLC session.

Click here to learn more about this opportunity.

Tuition

Program tuition includes housing, all on-campus meals, course materials, academic expenses, and activities. Tuition also includes chartered, air-conditioned motor coaches for off-campus briefings and tours. Note: Students are responsible for the cost of travel to and from the program as well as individual spending money for souvenirs, laundry, and a few off-campus meals during fields trips and tours.

Click here to view our cancellation and refund policy.

LocationTuition
Washington, D.C.$3,595
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