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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:17 pm Post subject: Best Online Schools for Masters Degree in CF
Can someone advise which online schools offer masters degree programs in Computer Forensics. I have a BA in Geography but would rather go straight for a masters in computer forensics instead of doing another 4 year degree. Even if I have to take some prereq classes first.
How good are Masters Certificates? My plan is to get a CCE certification, then go back for the education in either a masters degree or masters certificate. Any guidance would be much appreciated.
With respect to the issue of certifications, CompTIA offers the A+ certification which covers basic hardware and software (operating systems), and the Network+ certification which covers basic concepts pertaining to local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wired networks and wireless networks. These are very good foundational courses for those without significant computer hardware and networking experience and provides relatively vendor neutral coverage. IFSCE offers the Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) certification with training provided by various authorized trainers; this should be your first forensic-specific certification because it addresses both the theory (written multiple-choice examination) and practical (hands-on examination) in a vendor-neutral manner. Afterwards, vendor certifications for Guardian Software EnCase and Access Data Forensic Toolkit (FTK), depending upon the requirements of your organization and budgetary considerations. Access Data provides a variety of digital forensic software in addition to the FTK. There are numerous open source digital forensic products, for example SleuthKit, available besides the proprietary, closed source commercial products. _________________ LLB - start 09/2009
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 2:20 pm Post subject: thanks
Thank you for your very informative post. I am working on getting into Central Florida State school you mentioned. Probably going for the Masters Degree - expensive but worth it.
Joined: Oct 18, 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:36 am Post subject:
Same here. I will be enrolling in the UCF Digital Forensics Grad program within the next year.
Meanwhile, my plan was to get both certs discussed previously in this thread: CCE and the EnCE. It seems that both of those are decently priced and will show that you have a basic knowledge of computer forensic investigations as well as hardware, software, and peripheral competency.
I graduate this December from Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI) with a B.S. in Information Security and Intelligence. It is a new program and worth checking out: http : // isi.ferris.edu/ISI_Home.html
My current struggle, however, is to find an DF internship around my area.
I went to UCF's website and did not see the certificate program in CF, only the MS. Could you point me to the certificate program?
Also, how did you like the Champlain curriculum and quality of classes? Was it worth the $12K? Why are you going on with the UCF degree? It seemed similar to the Champlain cirriculum.
Lastly, did you pick Champlain's certificate over others that are available, and if so, why?
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm an IT professional with a master's degree already, but want to change career tracks and go into CF. Sounds fascinating and right up my alley.
With respect to the issue of certifications, CompTIA offers the A+ certification which covers basic hardware and software (operating systems), and the Network+ certification which covers basic concepts pertaining to local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wired networks and wireless networks. These are very good foundational courses for those without significant computer hardware and networking experience and provides relatively vendor neutral coverage. IFSCE offers the Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) certification with training provided by various authorized trainers; this should be your first forensic-specific certification because it addresses both the theory (written multiple-choice examination) and practical (hands-on examination) in a vendor-neutral manner. Afterwards, vendor certifications for Guardian Software EnCase and Access Data Forensic Toolkit (FTK), depending upon the requirements of your organization and budgetary considerations. Access Data provides a variety of digital forensic software in addition to the FTK. There are numerous open source digital forensic products, for example SleuthKit, available besides the proprietary, closed source commercial products.
I went to UCF's website and did not see the certificate program in CF, only the MS. Could you point me to the certificate program?
University of Central Florida Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics
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Also, how did you like the Champlain curriculum and quality of classes? Was it worth the $12K?
Overall, the quality of the classes was very good. The criminal procedures and criminal law courses were challenging since they focused on US legal system while I am from Canada where the legal system is sufficiently different. I justified the cost, to myself at least, as worth it because I transfered the credit hours into a bachelor degree completed elsewhere. There were a few deficiencies but nothing that deterred from the overall value of the learning experience.
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Why are you going on with the UCF degree? It seemed similar to the Champlain cirriculum?
I plan to transfer the graduate credit hours into a doctorate degree in applied computer science and having graduate-level courses in digital forensics will hopefully look good when I try to obtain teaching positions at colleges. Plus, the UCF certificate covers a few areas that the CC certificate did not address, particularly being an expert witness and case management.
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Lastly, did you pick Champlain's certificate over others that are available, and if so, why?
The certificate at Champlain College is undergraduate-level and I needed additional undergraduate credit hours to apply towards a bachelor degree in which I was enrolled at the time. The flexibility of online courses in digital forensics was another factor in Champlain College's favour. At the time I lived in a province that bordered Vermont so I always had the option to visit the school and meet the instructors.
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Sorry for all the questions, but I'm an IT professional with a master's degree already, but want to change career tracks and go into CF. Sounds fascinating and right up my alley.
The UCF graduate certificate would likely boost your resume while the CC undergraduate certificate might appear as a step backwards though both cover much the same topics and issues. The CC certificate does place heavy emphasis on the US Fourth Amendment and emphasizes professional-level writing skills. And the UCF certificate is only USD1000.00 per course compared to the slightly more expensive certificate offered by Champlain College. Champlain College students have successfully obtained internships with the FBI. _________________ LLB - start 09/2009
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm an IT professional with a master's degree already, but want to change career tracks and go into CF. Sounds fascinating and right up my alley.
Its a good move to change your career track towards CF (computer forensics) because after completing distance learning <Link removed by Moderator> online BIT degree with a concentration in Computer Forensics can help you advance in number of career opportunities as a:
• Computer Forensics Specialist
• Security Network Analyst
• IT Investigator
• Counterintelligence Analyst
In the past, computer forensics programs were largely certificate programs, In the last five years degree programs in computer forensics have expanded to include associate's degrees, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Many have obtained their computer forensics education on-the-job through certification programs, who now according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) earns medium salary of $ 37,640
Last edited by Annia on Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:48 am; edited 2 times in total
Nowadays online courses are becoming very popular because they provide you the freedom of studying anytime and anywhere. I will also take LSAT in Feb 2018 so have also registered with the best online prep course at the testmaxprep app. I hope that I will be able to score well in the test.
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