Digital Forensics, Master of Science
The goal of the Master of Science in Digital Forensics is to provide the next step for professionals and graduates of the Master of Science in Cyber Security program to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to start a career in digital forensics. Digital technology is changing rapidly and requires individuals who not only have a passion for forensics and incident response, but who are also lifelong learners who can keep up with the changing environment. The program seeks to provide a current, practical, and important foundation needed to complete certification exams in digital forensics
Students with an accredited undergraduate degree in computer science, information systems, or other related field, may be deemed to have acquired competency in the core areas. All the courses must have been passed with a grade of C or better.
Students with an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field are required to demonstrate competency in the IT core areas. Competency can be demonstrated by completing necessary coursework prior to beginning graduate studies at Stratford University, by completing the appropriate bridge courses, or equivalent course as determined through academic advisement (when prerequisites may be waived). Courses are to be completed through the Stratford University on-campus or online program, or through Prior Learning Assessment. Example equivalent courses for advisement are as follows: CIS 144 or CIS 201 or CIS 253 for CIS 390, CIS 256 or CIS 258 for CIS 391, and CIS 146 or CIS 225 for CIS 392.
Competency Requirements
Required
| CIS 390 | Basic Comp Tech, Apps, and Security | 4.5 |
| CIS 391 | Server/OS, Rltnl DB, & Software Security | 4.5 |
| CIS 392 | Networking Bridge | 4.5 |
At the end of the program, students are able to:
- Use the latest in technology and tools conduct forensic searches of digital media, digital networks, and other devices to identify how they were compromised, method of intrusion, and to collect forensic evidence.
- Extract, preserve, validate, and maintain forensic evidence to stand up to scrutiny in a court of law.
- Seize, image, deconstruct, and analyze digital media, analyze logs, decipher network traffic, and report this information in a suitable format.
- This program typically takes 28 months to complete for part-time enrollment and 14 months to complete for students enrolled full-time.
Required courses for MS in Digital Forensics (12 core) = 12 courses or 54 credit hours
Core Requirements (12 courses or 54 credits)
| CIS 615 | Cyber Security Prevention and Protection | 4.5 |
| CIS 621 | Cyber Crime | 4.5 |
| CIS 623 | Cyber Forensic Data Collection & Prsrvti | 4.5 |
| CIS 625 | Analysis of Forensic Data | 4.5 |
| CIS 627 | Validation & Testimony Preparation | 4.5 |
| CIS 629 | Advanced Digital Forensics | 4.5 |
| CIS 631 | Cyber Law & Compliance | 4.5 |
| CIS 670 | Digital Forensics Capstone | 4.5 |
| CIS 655 | Strategies in Cyber Conflict | 4.5 |
| CIS 660 | Culture of Security | 4.5 |
| CIS 665 | Physical Security | 4.5 |
| CIS 694 | Auditing and Incident Reporting | 4.5 |