Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Master of Science Degree Program

The School of Business and the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity have collaborated to offer a Master of Science in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity. This unique 36-credit program includes five concentrations:

  • Cyber Security
  • Digital Forensics
  • Cyber Operations
  • Cyber Risk Management & Compliance
  • Cybersecurity & Privacy of Health Information

The Cyber Security, Digital Forensics, and Cyber Operations concentrations are managed through the School of Business. The Cyber Risk Management & Compliance and Cybersecurity & Privacy of Health Information concentrations are managed through the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity. The program concludes with an internship or thesis, depending on the concentration selected and the students' career goals.

School of Business Concentrations Program Information:

This one year 36-credit intense program that includes 15 credits of coursework during both the fall and spring semesters, and a 6-credit internship/thesis during the summer. The program trains students in the field of digital forensics and security analytics. Students can specialize in one of three tracks: cyber security, digital forensics, and cyber operations. The cyber security concentration prepares students in cyber incident investigation with a strong component of security data analysis; the digital forensics concentration prepares students for the collection, preservation and analysis of data found in electronic devices; and the cyber operations concentration teaches students proactive threat hunting and offensive/defensive operations. The program concludes with a 6-credit internship/thesis in the summer following two semesters of coursework; students pick their choice based on their career goals (e.g. intelligence, risk advisory, e-discovery, corporate or public sector cybersecurity, law enforcement, or higher education). Students are expected to have basic knowledge of programming, networking, and information security before they begin their studies.

Program Requirements - 36 credits

Cyber Security Concentration

  1. Core Courses (24 credits):
    • For 516 Data Analytics for Cyber Security (3) OR Itm 603 Business Analytics and Data Mining (3)
    • For 519 System Administration and Operating System Concepts (3)
    • For 615 Hacking for Penetration Testers (3)
    • For 642 Computer Forensics (3)
    • For 643 Incident Handling (3)
    • Cyb 640 Information Security Risk Assessment (3)
    • Cyb 644 Introduction to Information and Cybersecurity (3)
    • Cyb 647 Security Implementation (3)
  2. Thesis/Internship Course: 6 credits in internship or thesis, as advised
  3. Electives (6 credits):
    • For 506 Database Security and Forensics (3)
    • For 520 Open Source Intelligence and Social Network Analysis (OSINT and SNA) (3)
    • For 610 International Cyber Conflicts (3)
    • For 622 Cloud Security & Forensics (3)
    • Cyb 645 Psychology and Information Security (3)

Cyber Operations Concentration

  1. Core Courses (24 credits):
    • For 525 Advanced Networking (3)
    • For 602 Cyberlaw and Ethics (3)
    • For 615 Hacking for Penetration Testers (3)
    • For 618 Reverse Engineering Malware (3)
    • For 632 Cyber Threat Hunting (3)
    • For 650 Cyber Vulnerability Exploitation (3)
    • Cyb 644 Introduction to Information and Cybersecurity (3)
    • Cyb 646 Mathematical Methods for Information Security (3)
  2. Thesis/Internship Course: 6 credits in internship or thesis, as advised
  3. Electives (6 credits):
    • For 520 Open Source Intelligence and Social Network Analysis (OSINT and SNA) (3)
    • For 607 Memory Forensics and Analysis (3)
    • For 610 International Cyber Conflicts (3)
    • For 611 Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) Forensics (3)
    • For 613 Multimedia Forensics (3)
    • For 642 Computer Forensics (3)

Digital Forensics Concentration

  1. Core Courses (24 credits):
    • For 516 Data Analytics for Cyber Security (3) OR Itm 603 Business Analytics and Data Mining (3)
    • For 519 System Administration and Operating System Concepts (3)
    • For 604 Mobile Forensics (3)
    • For 607 Memory Forensics and Analysis (3)
    • For 613 Multimedia Forensics (3)
    • For 621 Forensic Laboratory Operations & Management (3)
    • For 642 Computer Forensics (3)
    • Cyb 644 Introduction to Information and Cybersecurity (3)
  2. Thesis/Internship Course: 6 credits in internship or thesis, as advised
  3. Electives (6 credits):
    • For 506 Database Security and Forensics (3)
    • For 520 Open Source Intelligence and Social Network Analysis (OSINT and SNA) (3)
    • For 602 Cyberlaw and Ethics (3)
    • For 611 Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) Forensics (3)
    • For 622 Cloud Security & Forensics (3)
    • For 643 Incident Handling (3)

College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity Concentrations Program Information:

The concentrations available through the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity provide the opportunity for multi-disciplinary training. The program can be pursued at a pace convenient for the student. The Cyber Risk Management & Compliance concentration will prepare students in policy and risk management, with a particular focus on how cyber incidents and cybersecurity program impact the security of organizations and government. It incorporates a focus on homeland security. Students entering this specialization are likely to be interested in occupations such as security manager, IT project manager, emergency management director, document control/management specialist, and cybersecurity analyst. The Cybersecurity & Privacy of Health Information concentration will prepare students to apply security analytics, risk assessment, and policy management to protecting health information. Students entering this specialization are likely to be interested in occupations such as health information security director, health IT project manager, and cybersecurity analyst for medical records.

Program Requirements - 36 credits

Cyber Risk Management & Compliance Concentration

  1. Core Courses (21 credits):
    • Cybr/Inf 503 Advanced Networking and Security (3) OR For 525 Advanced Networking (3)
    • Cybr/Inf 553 Information Security and Privacy (3) OR Cyb 644 Introduction to Information and Cybersecurity 
    • Cybr/Inf 554 Human Aspects of Cybersecurity (3) OR Cyb 645 Psychology of Security (3)
    • Cybr 536 Information Security Compliance Auditing (3)
    • Core Electives - Select 9 credits from the following:
      • Cybr 545 Principles and Practices of Cyber Security (3)
      • Cybr/Inf 552 Computer and Network Security (3)
      • Inf 585 IT and Homeland Security (3)
      • Cybr/Ehc 547 Cybersecurity Risk and Policy (3)
      • Cybr/Ehc/Pad 549 Cybersecurity: Long Term Planning and Risk Management (3)
  2. Cybersecurity Tool - one of the following courses (3 credits):
    • Inf 523 Fundamentals of Information Technology (3 one-credit modules)
    • For 615 Hacking for Penetration Testers (3)
    • For 642 Computer Forensics (3)
    • For 643 Incident Handling (3)
  3. Electives (9 credits):
    • Cybr/Ehc 550 Cybersecurity Policy, Law and Institutions (3)
    • Cybr/Inf 555 Prevention and Protection Strategies in Cyber-security (3)
    • Cybr/Ehc/Pad 569 Cyber Threats and Intelligence (3)
    • Cybr 627 Cybersecurity Practicum (3)
    • For 602 Cyberlaw & Ethics (3)
    • For 650 Cyber Vulnerability Exploitation (3)
    • Other Electives As Advised
  4. Thesis Project or Internship: 3 credits in internship or thesis, as advised
    • Cybr 678 Internship
    • Cybr 699 Master's Thesis

    5. Cybersecurity & Privacy of Health Information Concentration

    1. Core Courses (21 credits):
      • Cybr/Inf 503 Advanced Networking and Security (3) OR For 525 Advanced Networking (3)
      • Cybr/Inf 553 Information Security and Privacy (3) OR Cyb 644 Introduction to Information and Cybersecurity
      • Hpm 580 Health Information Technology (3)
      • Hpm 669 Topics in Health Policy & Mgt: Health Analytics (3; only this topic is applicable)
      • Core Electives - Select 9 credits from the following:
        • Cybr 536 Information Security Compliance Auditing (3)
        • Cybr 545 Principles and Practices of Cyber Security (3)
        • Cybr/Ehc 547 Cybersecurity Risk and Policy (3)
        • Cybr/Inf 552 Computer and Network Security (3)
        • For 650 Cyber Vulnerability Exploitation (3)
    2. Cybersecurity Tool - one of the following courses (3 credits):
      • Inf 523 Fundamentals of Information Technology (3 one-credit modules)
      • For 615 Hacking for Penetration Testers (3)
      • For 642 Computer Forensics (3)
      • For 643 Incident Handling (3)
    3. Electives (9 credits):
      • Cybr/Ehc 550 Cybersecurity Policy, Law and Institutions (3)
      • Cybr/Inf 554 Human Aspects of Cybersecurity (3) OR Cyb 645 Psychology of Security (3)
      • Cybr/Inf 555 Prevention and Protection Strategies in Cyber-security (3)
      • Cybr 627 Cybersecurity Practicum (3)
      • Other Electives As Advised
    4. Thesis Project or Internship: 3 credits in internship or thesis, as advised
      • Cybr 678 Internship
      • Cybr 699 Master's Thesis

    Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter, please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.