College Courses in Computer Forensics

Associate's Degree Courses

• An associate's degree in computer forensics can open up entry-level career options in this field. Associate's degree programs typically take about two years to complete and range from 75 to 100 credit hours, depending on the school. Some schools offer these courses online.

  One example of this is ITT Technical Institute. Aside from general education courses, students take computer forensic courses in areas that provide them with a wide range of understanding information technology. Courses can include Computer Forensics for the First Responder, Information Security Fundamentals, Cybercrime and Digital Forensic Tools, Fundamentals of Networking Technologies, Evidence Collection and Preservation, Criminal Investigation, Evidence Analysis and Presentation, Strategies for Learning in a Technical Environment and Introduction to Criminal Justice.

  ITT Technical Institute

  3640 Corporate Trail Drive

  Earth City, MO 63045

  314-298-7800

  itt-tech.edu

Bachelor's Degree Courses

• A bachelor's degree in the computer forensics field is likely to gain you more notoriety and recognition in the job market. A bachelor's degree indicates that you made a four-year commitment to breaking into the field. Bachelor's degree programs typically take four to five years and require students to complete 120 or more credit hours in a given field of study.

  Westwood College offers an online bachelor's degree program in the field. Courses of study required as part of the program are very similar to associate's degree courses, but additional credit hours are required in the computer forensics field and in terms of general education requirements. Potential courses of study include: Forensic Digital Evidence Handling and Investigation, Introduction to Computer Forensics, Managing Malicious Software, Legal Aspects of Computer Forensics and Mobile Device Analysis.

  Westwood College

  7350 North Broadway

  Denver, CO 80221

  303-650-5050

  westwood.edu

Graduate Degree Courses

• Few graduate degree programs exist that are specifically geared toward computer forensics. Nonetheless, those wishing to pursue more-advanced studies in the field have the opportunity to do so.

  For example, the University of Rhode Island offers a master's degree and a Ph.D. in computer science, with a graduate certificate in the computer forensics field.

  Other programs offering certificates include the University of Central Florida and the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB). Courses of study are more research-oriented at this level and can include Operating Systems and Networks, Special Topics in Computer Forensics, the Forensic Expert in the Courtroom, Forensic Collection and Examination of Digital Evidence, Law, Evidence, and Procedure and Investigating Cybercrime.

  University of Rhode Island

  14 Upper College Road

  Kingston, RI 02881

  401-874-1000

  uri.edu

  National Center for Forensic Science

  University of Central Florida

  P.O. Box 162367

  Orlando, FL 32816

  407-823-2474

  ucf.edu

  Department of Justice Sciences

  University of Alabama at Birmingham

  UBOB 210

  1530 3rd Avenue South

  Birmingham, AL 35294

  205-934-2069

  uab.edu