Program Overview
Marshall University's Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics equips students with the knowledge and skills to identify, collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence. The program covers a wide range of topics, from basic to advanced, and prepares graduates for careers as digital forensics professionals in various fields, including law enforcement, cybersecurity, and forensic investigation. The program can be completed independently or added onto the M.S. in Forensic Science with an Emphasis in Digital Forensics.
Program Outline
Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics at Marshall University
Degree Overview
This Graduate Certificate provides the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, collect, preserve, and examine various digital evidence. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic to advanced digital forensics analysis policy, techniques, data recovery, investigation, quality assurance, legal and ethical considerations. No prior experience in digital forensics is required; the course sequence includes instruction ranging from fundamentals to advanced topics.
Objectives:
- Equip graduates with the ability to identify, collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence.
- Provide foundational and advanced training in digital forensics policies, techniques, tools, data recovery, investigation, quality assurance, legal and ethical considerations.
- Help graduates find careers as digital forensics professionals.
Outline
This certificate consists of five required courses:
| Course Number | Course Title & Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FSC 609 | Network Forensics: Teaches the basics of computer networks, their role in crime and as a source of evidence | 3 |
| FSC 632 | Foundation & Fundamentals of Digital Evidence: Introduces the foundations of digital forensics and explores computer, audio, and video forensics sub-disciplines through lectures, labs, and practical exercises | 3 |
| FSC 605 | Forensic Digital Imaging: Introduces techniques used in forensic labs to enhance, analyze, and catalog digital images through lab-based instruction.
| 3 |
| FSC 634 | Digital Evidence Search & Seizure: Covers procedures for seizing computer systems as evidence, legal issues like probable cause, evidence preservation, and specific challenges faced by field examiners.
| 3 |
| FSC 676 | Advanced Digital Evidence Detection & Recovery: Offers an in-depth look into advanced procedures and techniques used to work with digital evidence through a combination of lectures, labs and practical exercises.
| 2 |
Assessment
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all five required courses and earn no grade lower than a "C".
Teaching
This program combines lectures, laboratory sessions, and hands-on practical exercises. The program does not assume any prior experience in the field, and the curriculum progresses from fundamentals to advanced topics.
Careers
Graduates of this certificate program are prepared for diverse career paths in digital forensics, such as:
- Digital Forensics Examiner
- Computer Forensic Analyst
- Incident Responder
- Cyber Security Specialist
- Forensic Investigator
Other
- This certificate program can be added onto the M.S. in Forensic Science with an Emphasis in Digital Forensics program or completed independently.
- Students holding the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics may also pursue the M.S. Forensic Science with a Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics.
- The Forensic Science program has a special program fee that cannot be waived.
