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Best Forensic Accounting Programs With Internships in 2027

Forensic accounting programs with internships in 2027, ranked by forensic coursework, casework, credentials, cost and outcomes.

Top Overall Pick

Franklin University

Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting

Ohio

Score
89.4of 100
Cost
$398per credit
Length
124credits
Read our Franklin University B.S. Forensic Accounting review

Programs Ranked

13

Schools

12

Degree Levels

2

Fully Online Programs

4

Checked on Schools' Own Pages

October 15, 2026

How We Score the Programs on This List

Eight factors, published weights, the same for every program. Read the Methodology

Forensic Training · 50%

  • Forensic Focus20%
  • Investigative Skill Coverage10%
  • Hands-On Casework10%
  • Credential Pathway10%

Value and Outcomes · 50%

  • Cost15%
  • Graduate Earnings15%
  • Completion10%
  • Program Reputation10%

Real casework is the quickest way to learn forensic accounting, and forensic accounting programs with internships build it into the degree alongside co-ops, practicums and client projects. Some require it, and some offer it as an option. It also helps you prepare for the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential and the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Several schools hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Top Picks

The Top Program at Each Degree Level

The top-scoring forensic accounting programs at each degree level on this list.

The cards and table below use short forms for the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

Only show programs with

13 programs in rank order. Filter or sort to narrow them down.

Master's

Forensic Accounting Master's Degrees Ranked for 2027

  1. Rank #1 Master's

    Rider University

    Master of Accountancy, Forensic Accounting Concentration

    • Fully Online
    • Private nonprofit
    • New Jersey
    • AACSB Accredited

    86.1 / 100

    Top investigative skill coverage score among master's programs

    Internships and Field Experience

    If you are in the Master of Accountancy, you can add an Accounting Internship course worth 3 credits, taken with instructor permission, to gain hands-on experience while you study. Rider's internship, co-op and volunteer program is open to all students and is meant to build on-the-job skills and professional connections, with real-world experience built into the department's approach.

    Per Credit
    $1,130
    Graduate Pay
    $103,295
    Length
    12 months
    • Investigative Skill Coverage9.4
    • Credential Pathway9
    • Completion8.3
    See All 8 Scores
  2. Rank #2 Master's

    SUNY Old Westbury

    Master of Science in Forensic Accounting

    • On Campus
    • Public
    • New York
    • AACSB Accredited
    • CFE Exam Prep

    80.6 / 100

    Top 3 for forensic coursework among master's programs

    Internships and Field Experience

    The Justice for Fraud Victims Project gives you hands-on field experience assisting victims of suspected financial fraud. You join a team of three to five students, guided by faculty and local fraud examiner mentors, and work pro bono for small businesses and nonprofits to find out whether fraud occurred, how, and an estimate of the loss. Some students have gone on to Homeland Security.

    Per Credit
    $1,072
    Credits
    30
    Est. Tuition
    $32,160
    Graduate Pay
    $84,887
    • Credential Pathway10
    • Investigative Skill Coverage7.5
    • Forensic Focus7.2
    See All 8 Scores
  3. Rank #3 Master's

    Colorado State University Global

    Master of Professional Accountancy, Fraud Investigations and Forensic Accounting Emphasis

    • Fully Online
    • Public
    • Colorado
    • CFE Exam Prep

    67.3 / 100

    Forensic Program Score

    Internships and Field Experience

    ACT595 Accounting Internship is an optional course that gives you practical experience in accounting alongside your fraud and forensic studies. You also build hands-on skills in ACT530, which uses a variety of data analytic tools on accounting and financial data, and finish in ACT580, a capstone where you apply accounting research tools to current accounting issues.

    Per Credit
    $675
    Credits
    30
    Est. Tuition
    $20,250
    Graduate Pay
    $94,130
    • Credential Pathway8
    • Cost6.1
    • Investigative Skill Coverage5.7
    See All 8 Scores
  4. Rank #4 Master's

    Roosevelt University

    Master of Business Administration, Accounting Forensics Concentration

    • Hybrid
    • Private nonprofit
    • Illinois

    61.2 / 100

    Forensic Program Score

    Internships and Field Experience

    Professional Accounting Internship is a supervised learning experience at a business or non-profit site, arranged with the internship coordinator or program director. It is one of six choices for your nine-credit concentration, and up to three credit hours can be applied to the graduate business program. Career services help you land internships and full-time roles, and case studies and real-world projects fill out the curriculum.

    Per Credit
    $1,013
    Credits
    33
    Graduate Pay
    $98,834
    • Credential Pathway7
    • Graduate Earnings6.8
    • Investigative Skill Coverage6.4
    See All 8 Scores
  5. Rank #5 Master's

    Florida Institute of Technology

    Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Forensics

    • On Campus
    • Private nonprofit
    • Florida

    42.1 / 100

    Forensic Program Score

    Internships and Field Experience

    Florida Tech facilitates internship and experiential learning opportunities for accounting and financial forensics students with CPA firms, high-tech companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Employers the school names include Northrop Grumman Corp., Collins Aerospace, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Brevard County Government and State Farm Insurance. Career Services helps you build career plans and job-search skills along the Space Coast.

    Per Credit
    $920
    Credits
    30
    Graduate Pay
    $85,593
    • Program Reputation6.9
    • Investigative Skill Coverage3.1
    • Graduate Earnings3
    See All 8 Scores

Bachelor's

Forensic Accounting Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2027

  1. Rank #1 Bachelor's

    Franklin University

    Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting

    • Fully Online
    • Private nonprofit
    • Ohio
    • CFE Exam Prep

    89.4 / 100

    Highest score among bachelor's programs

    Internships and Field Experience

    As one of its options, the program offers an Accounting Internship worth 1 to 9 credits, giving you academic credit for supervised professional training. It runs as an ongoing seminar among you, a faculty member and your employment supervisor,. A Tax Practicum is another hands-on option, working with taxpayers through the Internal Revenue Service volunteer tax program.

    Per Credit
    $398
    Credits
    124
    Est. Tuition
    $49,352
    Graduate Pay
    $65,816
    • Cost9.1
    • Credential Pathway8
    • Program Reputation7.5
    See All 8 Scores
  2. Rank #2 Bachelor's

    Loyola University Maryland

    Bachelor of Business Administration in Forensic Accounting

    • On Campus
    • Private nonprofit
    • Maryland
    • AACSB Accredited
    • CFE Exam Prep

    87.9 / 100

    Top completion score among bachelor's programs

    Internships and Field Experience

    The Forensic Accounting Capstone has you analyze real-world cases, learn directly from industry professionals and join a faculty-led field experience. Guest lectures, field trips and case studies extend the work outside the classroom. Loyola's business school keeps industry connections with firms such as CohnReznick, which bring current practice, guest speakers and applied learning into the classroom.

    Per Credit
    $975
    Graduate Pay
    $103,352
    • Graduate Earnings10
    • Credential Pathway10
    • Completion9.8
    See All 8 Scores
  3. Rank #3 Bachelor's

    CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

    Bachelor of Science in Fraud Examination and Financial Forensics

    • On Campus
    • Public
    • New York

    82.9 / 100

    Top forensic coursework score among bachelor's programs

    Internships and Field Experience

    Accounting internships are available as applied electives: two courses at three credits each and two Internship Intensive courses at six credits each. One student describes a professor referring her to Johnson and Johnson's forensic internship program in Corporate Internal Audit. You can also join the student chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting for mock interviews and campus recruiting.

    Per Credit
    $620
    Credits
    120
    Graduate Pay
    $60,416
    • Program Reputation9.8
    • Forensic Focus7.1
    • Investigative Skill Coverage6.9
    See All 8 Scores
  4. Rank #4 Bachelor's

    Rider University

    Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting, Business Fraud and Forensic Concentration

    • On Campus
    • Private nonprofit
    • New Jersey
    • AACSB Accredited

    77.4 / 100

    Top quarter for completion among bachelor's programs

    Internships and Field Experience

    Three out of four accounting majors complete a paid internship or co-op for academic credit, and the catalog also lists a three-credit Accounting Internship for juniors and seniors with department approval, with about two months of supervised employment with participating companies. Senior staff members at those firms evaluate you along the way. Both can be completed within the four-year program and often lead to full-time employment.

    Per Credit
    $1,420
    Graduate Pay
    $91,950
    • Credential Pathway9
    • Completion8.4
    • Program Reputation8.4
    See All 8 Scores
  5. Rank #5 Bachelor's

    New York Institute of Technology

    Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting and Financial Fraud Investigation

    • On Campus
    • Private nonprofit
    • New York
    • AACSB Accredited

    76.5 / 100

    Top investigative skill coverage score among bachelor's programs

    Internships and Field Experience

    An internship or practicum is part of the degree, and you choose one of two 3-credit courses. Internship in Accounting gives supervised on-the-job experience applying what you have learned in a real-world setting, while the Practicum in Accounting puts you on a small consulting team that works on a company-specific project under a faculty advisor. The senior capstone adds civil and criminal fraud investigation and expert witness services.

    Per Credit
    $1,490
    Credits
    123
    • Investigative Skill Coverage9.2
    • Credential Pathway9
    • Hands-On Casework6.6
    See All 7 Scores
  6. Rank #6 Bachelor's

    Lakeland University

    Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Fraud and Forensic Emphasis

    • Fully Online
    • Private nonprofit
    • Wisconsin

    55.0 / 100

    Top 3 for completion among bachelor's programs

    Internships and Field Experience

    An optional Cooperative Education emphasis for accounting majors runs 22 to 26 semester hours and can bring up to 25 percent of the degree from paid work experience. You can start early, since Lakeland says students often obtain internships at local CPA firms as early as their sophomore year. One junior has interned with CliftonLarsonAllen and joined Internship Draft Day at Lambeau Field.

    Per Credit
    $550
    Credits
    121
    Est. Tuition
    $66,550
    Graduate Pay
    $66,815
    • Completion8.9
    • Cost7.1
    • Investigative Skill Coverage4.5
    See All 8 Scores
  7. Rank #7 Bachelor's

    Marywood University

    Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Crime Investigation

    • On Campus
    • Private nonprofit
    • Pennsylvania

    50.2 / 100

    Top quarter for completion among bachelor's programs

    Internships and Field Experience

    A 3-credit internship is part of the four-year plan, and you can complete it in any semester of your third or fourth year, summer included. Marywood Career Services provides resources to help you land that internship. The Accounting & Finance Club, open to all majors, adds guest speakers and networking opportunities you can use when you search.

    Per Credit
    $844
    Credits
    120
    Est. Tuition
    $101,280
    Graduate Pay
    $59,776
    • Completion8
    • Credential Pathway7
    • Program Reputation7
    See All 8 Scores
  8. Rank #8 Bachelor's

    Franklin Pierce University

    Accounting Bachelor's Plus MBA (3+1), Forensic Accounting Track

    • Hybrid
    • Private nonprofit
    • New Hampshire

    32.9 / 100

    Forensic Program Score

    Internships and Field Experience

    Between your second and third years, the recommended plan reserves a summer semester for hands-on work. You pick one of three options: Internship in Accounting for 2 to 3 credits, Advanced Internship in Accounting for 4 credits, or the Senior Independent Project in Accounting for 4 credits. Partner firms from New England and beyond provide places for internships, consulting and jobs after graduation.

    Per Credit
    $1,395
    Graduate Pay
    $67,628
    • Credential Pathway7
    • Completion3.9
    • Hands-On Casework2.5
    See All 8 Scores

Side by Side

Compare Every Program Side by Side

All 13 forensic accounting programs on this list in one table. Sort any column; the order you see first is the ranking.

With Internships: every ranked program
Rank School and Program Degree Score Cost per Credit Credits Delivery
1 Rider University MAcc Master of Accountancy, Forensic Accounting Concentration Master's 86.1 $1,130 Fully Online
2 SUNY Old Westbury M.S. Master of Science in Forensic Accounting Master's 80.6 $1,072 30 On Campus
3 Colorado State University Global M.P.Acc. Master of Professional Accountancy, Fraud Investigations and Forensic Accounting Emphasis Master's 67.3 $675 30 Fully Online, asynchronous
4 Roosevelt University M.B.A. Master of Business Administration, Accounting Forensics Concentration Master's 61.2 33 Hybrid
5 Florida Institute of Technology M.S. Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Forensics Master's 42.1 30 On Campus
1 Franklin University B.S. Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting Bachelor's 89.4 $398 124 Fully Online
2 Loyola University Maryland B.B.A. Bachelor of Business Administration in Forensic Accounting Bachelor's 87.9 $975 On Campus
3 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice B.S. Bachelor of Science in Fraud Examination and Financial Forensics Bachelor's 82.9 120 On Campus
4 Rider University B.S.B.A. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting, Business Fraud and Forensic Concentration Bachelor's 77.4 On Campus
5 New York Institute of Technology B.S. Bachelor of Science in Forensic Accounting and Financial Fraud Investigation Bachelor's 76.5 123 On Campus
6 Lakeland University B.A. Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Fraud and Forensic Emphasis Bachelor's 55.0 $550 121 Fully Online
7 Marywood University B.B.A. Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Crime Investigation Bachelor's 50.2 $844 120 On Campus
8 Franklin Pierce University Bachelor's + MBA Accounting Bachelor's Plus MBA (3+1), Forensic Accounting Track Bachelor's 32.9 Hybrid

Required, Optional and Embedded Experience

Forensic accounting programs with internships offer experience in a few forms, and knowing which form you're getting helps you plan your schedule. A required internship, like the one at New York Institute of Technology, is part of your graduation plan. You choose either Internship in Accounting or a practicum in experiential learning.

An optional internship brings credit when you want it. John Jay College lists accounting internship courses, ACC 381 through ACC 384, among its applied electives. Colorado State University Global offers ACT595 Accounting Internship as an elective, so ask the school how it works where you live.

Embedded experience sits inside a course. Loyola University Maryland's forensic accounting capstone brings in industry professionals and faculty-led field experiences. Franklin Pierce University leaves a summer slot between years two and three for an internship or a senior independent project.

Learn From Real Cases and Real Employers

SUNY Old Westbury runs the Justice for Fraud Victims Project. Students help victims of suspected financial fraud in cases where forensic services are limited or too costly. They work out whether fraud happened, how it happened and an estimate of the loss. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) interviewed the faculty lead for a video on the project.

Florida Institute of Technology's internship and experiential learning ties reach CPA firms, technology companies, government agencies and nonprofits. Lakeland University says students often take internships at local CPA firms as early as sophomore year. The Franklin University program encourages internships with CPA firms, private industry and government.

Marywood University builds a 3-credit internship, BUS 451, into the third or fourth year, including summers. Career Services helps you find placements.

Questions to Ask Before You Commit

A catalog line can mean different things at forensic accounting programs with internships, so a few direct questions pay off. Ask whether the internship is required or elective, how many credits it carries and whether it can be paid. Ask how the school finds placements and whether you can use your current employer.

If you're working toward the CFE, an internship gives you a head start. The ACFE asks for two years of professional experience related to fraud detection or deterrence before it certifies you. Fraud-related internship or co-op time may count toward it. John Jay College lists a student chapter of the ACFE, and Fort Hays State University and Roosevelt University also have chapters that offer networking.

For the CPA, check your state board of accountancy about education and experience rules. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes states require 150 semester hours for licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Accounting Programs With Internships

What Are the Best Forensic Accounting Programs With Internships in 2027?

Do Forensic Accounting Programs Require an Internship?

Can I Earn Credit for an Internship?

Are These Internships Paid?

Can I Complete an Internship in an Online Program?

Does Internship Experience Help With the CFE?

Which Employers Do Students Work With?

Sources

Sources retrieved to .