Graduate Certificate In Digital Forensics
Enrollment for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics is now open. The recommended first course starts in May 2007. Students should apply to the program by March 1, 2007 (although applications after that date may be considered) for a May 2007 start.
What is a Graduate Certificate? A Graduate Certificate is a
university-issued graduate degree.
It involves acceptance to the graduate program, graded course work, and typically a project. It is similar
to a Master's Degree program but with less course work and a shorter-duration project. It is
designed for professionals who wish to obtain a focused graduate degree,
but cannot commit to a full Master's degree.
Degree Requirements. Note that the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics is designed to be done completely online so that professionals from anywhere may take all requirements for the degree online. Completion of the Graduate Certificate Requires:
- Admission to the program (see Application Process below).
- 15 credits of URI course work in approved courses relating to Digital Forensics.
- Demonstration of course work (any course work including but not limited to: undergraduate, graduate, or non-matriculated) equivalent to:
- CSC412 (Operating Systems and Networks, 4 credits, online course, typically Summer semester)
- CSC585 (Topics in Computer Forensics, 4 credits, online course, typically Fall semester)
- CSC586 (Topics in Network Forensics, 4 credits, online course, typically Spring semester)
- CSC591 (Research Practicum, 3 credits, done online or done as on-site "boot camp")
The requirements state 15 credits, which can be done by taking the four courses listed above. For students who have taken equivalent courses, or wish a different emphasis, there are other courses that can be substituted for these courses to make up the 15 credits.
CSC591 can be a research project done under the supervision of a faculty member either on campus or online. Alternatively, URI expects to offer on-site "boot camps" where students come to Rhode Island for 3-4 days (typically in the summer) for intense digital forensics training and research topic exploration. The CSC591 requirement can be done either way.
- The degree must be completed within a 3-year period with a GPA of at least 3.0. No grades below "B" will be counted toward the 15-credit Certificate minimum. All rules respecting scholastic standing as promulgated by the Graduate school and described in the University Catalog are applicable to the Certificate program.
Typical Plan of Study. A typical student will follow this 16 month schedule to achieve the degree:
- CSC412 Summer
- CSC585 Fall
- CSC586 Spring
- CSC591 Summer
Required Background. Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics are expected to have an undergraduate degree and demonstrable technical sophistication (e.g. A+ and Net+ certifications, or a Bachelors degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, or significant experience in a professional position working with computers and networks). Computer programming is not required for the typical course plan for this degree.
Application Process. Students apply to the URI Department of Computer Science by submitting an online application to URI's Graduate School. In the application's Plan Information area enter:
- In the Plan drop down box, choose "Computer Science - MS". This will auto-fill the Degree and Academic Program boxes.
- Enter nothing in the Subplan drop down box.
- In the Concentration text box enter "Graduate Certificate-DF"
There is no application fee for this program. Please do not submit one.
The Graduate Record Exams (GRE) are not required for admisstion to the Graduate Certificate program. They are required for admission to the Masters and PhD programs.
Transfer To The Master's Degree Program. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics will, upon request, be admitted to the Computer Science Master's Degree program, but may have additional requirements imposed if they have not taken undergraduate computer science courses. Note that the Graduate Certificate is itself a terminal degree; transfer to the Master's Degree Program is simply an option for further study.