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School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)

Digital Forensics

Online Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

In response to increasing numbers of cyberthreats, organizations need advanced cybersecurity protection from skilled people with advanced knowledge and computer forensics certifications. The graduate certificate in digital forensics from American Public University (APU) offers an advanced understanding of innovative tools and leading industry methods for collecting and analyzing digital devices and data associated with cybercrime.

In our online courses in digital forensics, you’ll study the techniques and technologies cybercriminals use to conceal and cloak their activities, as well as the legislative methods needed for mitigation.

In addition, you will become familiar with the requirements for supporting legal proceedings in criminal and civil forensic cases, the rules for presenting evidence, and chain of custody maintenance to preserve evidence integrity.

NOTE: Completion of this program does not award any professional certifications, but may be helpful in preparing to earn such certifications.

What You Will Do

  1. Increase your understanding of data security, integrity, and security vulnerabilities from multifunctional devices
  2. Improve your knowledge of digital forensics models and the challenges in the processes for seizing electronic evidence
  3. Study concealment and cloaking techniques and technologies, such as cryptography, steganography, and data hiding, and corresponding legislation and mitigation techniques
  4. Learn how to avoid potential data breaches, understand the risks of the chain of custody, and examine the methods for mitigating a narrow window of opportunity for collecting digital evidence

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$425 | $250*
$382.50**
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 3860

|
This course examines information concealment techniques, technologies, hardware, software, and relevant legislation for cyber forensics to reveal and track legal and illegal activity. The course examines the process for investigation and introduces the tools and procedures required to legally seize and forensically evaluate a suspect machine. Also covered are the rules of evidence, chain of custody, standard operating procedures, and the manipulation of technology to conceal illegal activities, and revealing concealed information using cyber forensics.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/31/23 - 12/29/23 01/01/24 - 02/25/24 Winter 2024 Session B 8 Week session
08/28/23 - 02/02/24 02/05/24 - 03/31/24 Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
09/25/23 - 03/01/24 03/04/24 - 04/28/24 Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session
10/30/23 - 03/29/24 04/01/24 - 05/26/24 Spring 2024 Session B 8 Week session
11/27/23 - 05/03/24 05/06/24 - 06/30/24 Spring 2024 Session I 8 Week session
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4099

|
The global reach of the Internet, the low cost of online activity, and the relative anonymity of users has led to an increase in computer related crimes. This course focuses on cybercrime investigation and prevention; it appraises the legal issues related to on-line criminal conduct, the collection of electronic evidence, and the onslaught of new technology. This course also analyzes the phases, processes, and challenges of cybercrime investigations, and it examines technical, legal, and social issues relating to the search and seizure of digital evidence and computer forensics. Students will encounter the challenges of the latency between technology and the law.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/31/23 - 12/29/23 01/01/24 - 02/25/24 Winter 2024 Session B 8 Week session
08/28/23 - 02/02/24 02/05/24 - 03/31/24 Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
09/25/23 - 03/01/24 03/04/24 - 04/28/24 Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session
10/30/23 - 03/29/24 04/01/24 - 05/26/24 Spring 2024 Session B 8 Week session
11/27/23 - 05/03/24 05/06/24 - 06/30/24 Spring 2024 Session I 8 Week session
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3871

|
Telecommunications networks are a critical component of the global economic and social infrastructures. Securing critical infrastructure is an established priority within Information Security Management. This course examines the field of secure telecommunications networks, including emerging threats, system vulnerability, network evolution, and network defense mechanisms.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/31/23 - 12/29/23 01/01/24 - 02/25/24 Winter 2024 Session B 8 Week session
08/28/23 - 02/02/24 02/05/24 - 03/31/24 Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
09/25/23 - 03/01/24 03/04/24 - 04/28/24 Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session
10/30/23 - 03/29/24 04/01/24 - 05/26/24 Spring 2024 Session B 8 Week session
11/27/23 - 05/03/24 05/06/24 - 06/30/24 Spring 2024 Session I 8 Week session
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4101

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This course is an advanced study of the models of investigative methods for finding evidence in a wide scope of disparate digital devices such as computers, laptops, netbooks, networks, mobile devices – phones, notepads, PDAs, digital audio and video players, and any device or appliance that carries an electronic circuit board which could potentially store data or information. It also examines the science, the evidence, and the law related to digital forensics, the validation of findings, and determination of acceptable and irrefutable evidence in a court of law. It also evaluates various digital forensics models for data identification, preservation, collection, examination, analysis, preparation, and presentation. ( Prerequisite: ISSC621 )
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
09/25/23 - 03/01/24 03/04/24 - 04/28/24 Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4102

|
This course is an advanced study of the principles and methodologies of the e-discovery process and the increasing importance of digital evidence in litigation. Topics include contemporary investigative methods, legal issues, cost containment, collecting and prioritizing data sets, preservation of digital evidence, document review, metadata and spoliation considerations, comparative assessments, and forensic investigations. (Prerequisite: ISSC621)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/28/23 - 02/02/24 02/05/24 - 03/31/24 Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
11/27/23 - 05/03/24 05/06/24 - 06/30/24 Spring 2024 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 3874

|
Information Security includes an evaluation of the techniques, policies and strategies to ensure that data stored in an organization's computers cannot be accessed or processed without the consent of the organization. Also included, is an analysis of Information Security & Risk Management, Access Control, Physical Security, Security Architecture & Design, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning, Telecommunications & Network Security, Application Security, Operations Security, Law, Compliance & Investigations. This course also reviews the building blocks of information systems and cryptography is provided to reinforce the scope of security management.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/31/23 - 12/29/23 01/01/24 - 02/25/24 Winter 2024 Session B 8 Week session
08/28/23 - 02/02/24 02/05/24 - 03/31/24 Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
09/25/23 - 03/01/24 03/04/24 - 04/28/24 Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session
10/30/23 - 03/29/24 04/01/24 - 05/26/24 Spring 2024 Session B 8 Week session
11/27/23 - 05/03/24 05/06/24 - 06/30/24 Spring 2024 Session I 8 Week session
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

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Admission Requirements

All APU master's degree and graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

For this program, you must provide an official transcript of your previously completed bachelor's or master's degree and have ONE of the following:

  • Associate or bachelor's degree in information technology or a related field (ex: computer science, information systems, database development, etc.)
  • 2 years of work experience in the specific sub-field for this degree
  • Completion of one of our undergraduate IT certificates
  • Completion of 6 credits in IT-related courses
  • Completion of an IT-related minor or concentration during your undergraduate program
  • Certifications in at least one of the below:
    1. CompTIA Security+® (2010 to present recommended)
    2. CompTIA Network+® (2010 to present recommended)
    3. CompTIA A+® (2010 to present recommended)
    4. CompTIA Project+® (2010 to present recommended)
    5. CompTIA CySA+® (2010 to present recommended)
    6. CISSP® certification (valid up until the expiration date)
    7. SSCP®
    8. EC-Council Ethical Hacking
    9. Cisco CCNA® Security
    10. A valid and current Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute

CompTIA Security+®, CompTIA Network+®, CompTIA A+®, CompTIA Project+®, and CompTIA CySA+® are all registered trademarks of the Computer Technology Industry Association, Inc.

CISSP® and SSCP® are registered trademarks of International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc.

CCNA® is a registered trademark of Cisco Technology, Inc. 

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • If the IT-specific requirements are not noted in the official bachelor's or master's transcript, you must provide official copies of your undergraduate transcripts that show the appropriate coursework.
  • The verification of the 2-years work experience needs to be sent to the university via formal resume/CV.
  • Preadmission courses completed at the undergraduate level must be graded C or better; B or better at the graduate level.

Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.

An APU admissions coach will contact you via email or phone to assist you with the enrollment process, review your documentation, and to notify you when you have been admitted into the program and may register for courses.

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University’s transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

 

*Cost Per Credit Hour

American Public University's Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for all undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.