Digital Forensics Graduate Certificate

School of Justice Studies

Study the growing field of Digital Forensics at RWU, where students learn how to solve computer crimes like viruses, data sabotage and financial fraud. Through hands-on study in our Forensics and Networking Security lab, you’ll discover how investigators acquire, analyze and manage evidence collected from computers and mobile devices, as well as how to present this evidence in court.

    Details

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    Format

    Online

    Schedule

    Asynchronous online

    Credits Required

    9

    Time Commitment

    1 year

    Cost

    2023-2024
    $1,091/credit

    Fees

    2023-2024
    $145/semester

    Ways to Save

    15% discount for first responders, active duty military, and veterans

    Apply By

    August 15 for Fall

    January 1 for Spring

    May 15 for Summer

    Upcoming Events

    Click here for all upcoming events

    The study of digital forensics is a growing field for both law enforcement as well as corporate employees. Within this three-course certificate, students will understand NTFS and FAT Operating Systems, be able to develop sound evidence for presentation in court, and be able to manage evidence safely and acceptably.

    The Digital Forensics certificate program is taught fully online and can be stacked with the Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, or Cyberspecialist certificates (must earn three total), along with a thesis project, to earn the M.S. in Cybersecurity.

    Learning Outcomes

    1. Understand the basic concepts of digital forensics.
    2. Examine legal compliance, discovery, and corporate investigations.
    3. Handle digital evidence for file systems, deleted files, and slack space.
    4. Utilize validation tools for hashing and imaging. Appraise some professional software such as FTK and EnCase Forensic, etc.
    5. Collect and handle artifacts from emails, the internet, Windows registry, memory, and recycle bin. Learn data carving techniques.
    6. Handle memory, steganography, and expert testimony.
    7. Device shell scripting and Python tools such as regular expressions and data analysis.
    8. Write professional forensics reports.

    Curriculum

    Required Courses (9 credits)

    CJS 542 Digital Forensics
    SEC 501 Digital Forensics Hardware and Acquisition
    SEC 521 Mobile Device Forensics

    The Office of Graduate Admission hosts Open Houses and Virtual Information Sessions throughout the year. 

    View our upcoming events for the most current opportunities to hear about the Digital Forensics Graduate Certificate.

    Application Requirements

    To be considered for admission to the Digital Forensics Graduate Certificate program, applicants must hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. To apply, submit the following:

    1. Completed online application form accompanied by the $50 application fee
    2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
    3. Letter of Intent (two double-spaced pages maximum) describing your interest in the program, relevant past experiences, and career goals

    Where appropriate, documents should be submitted online through the applicant portal or via email to gradadmit@rwu.edu. Any official documents that must be mailed (i.e. transcripts) should be sent directly to:

    Office of Graduate Admission
    1 Old Ferry Rd.
    Bristol, RI 02809

    Have questions about the application process? Visit the How to Apply page from the Office of Graduate Admission.

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