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Online Master's Degree Digital Forensics &
Cyber Investigation

Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation
Master of Science
DEGREE AT A GLANCE
  • 30 credits
  • Transfer up to 12 credits
  • All courses available online
  • Select hybrid courses available
TUITION RATES
  • $694 per credit (in-state)
  • $694 per credit (out-of-state)
  • $336 per credit (military)
  • Other fees may apply
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Develop the cutting-edge skills and knowledge you need to become a digital forensics expert.

The online master’s degree in digital forensics and cyber investigation from University of Maryland Global Campus is designed to prepare you to meet the growing demand for investigative, leadership, and executive skills in analyzing and mitigating cyber crime. Learn how to determine whether a digital system has been attacked or compromised, and master reliable methods to identify, preserve, analyze, and present evidence for legal prosecution and administrative proceedings.

Total Credits Required: 30

Core Courses  

  • (3 Credits, DFCS 605)

  • (3 Credits, DFCS 615)

  • (3 Credits, DFCS 625)

  • (3 Credits, DFCS 635) 

  • (3 Credits, DFCS 645)

Elective Courses

Take four 3-credit elective courses (outlined under Select Digital Forensics Elective Courses) for a total of 12 credits.

Capstone Course

  • (3 Credits, DFCS 690)

This program requires a total of 12 elective credits. To fulfill this requirement, you'll need to take four of the courses listed below.

  • Where specified, if you take four courses from a topic area, you may be able to earn a graduate certificate.
  • You may also choose to mix and match these credits to retain a more general focus.

Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation

  • (3 Credits, DFCS 655)

  • (3 Credits, DFCS 660)

  • (3 Credits, DFCS 665)

  • (3 Credits, DFCS 685)

  • (3 Credits, DFCS 686)

Cybersecurity Management & Policy

Complete these four courses to earn a graduate certificate in cybersecurity management and policy:

  • (3 Credits, CMAP 605)

  • (3 Credits, CMAP 615)

  • (3 Credits, CMAP 625)

  • (3 Credits, CMAP 635)

Cybersecurity Technology

Complete these four courses to earn a graduate certificate in cybersecurity technology:

  • (3 Credits, CTCH 605)

  • (3 Credits, CTCH 615)

  • (3 Credits, CTCH 625)

  • (3 Credits, CTCH 635)

Data Analytics

Complete these four courses to earn a graduate certificate in business analytics:

  • (3 Credits, DATA 605)

  • (3 Credits, DATA 615)

  • (3 Credits, DATA 625)

  • (3 Credits, DATA 635)

General Master's Degree Requirements

  • You must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher at all times.
  • All degree requirements must be fulfilled within five consecutive years.
  • Any transfer credits must have been earned within the above five-year time frame to be applied toward a graduate degree.
  • Please review the overall master’s degree requirements for additional considerations.

Accelerated Pathway

If you completed your undergraduate degree at UMGC with a major in cybersecurity technology, an accelerated pathway between UMGC's graduate and undergraduate degree programs in this field may allow you to reduce your total coursework for this program by up to 9 credits.

Explore the MARS Program in Your Courses

Some of UMGC's online cyber graduate courses utilize the Multi-Dimensional Applied Relevant System (MARS), an AI-driven virtual learning platform that allows students to demonstrate their abilities and apply their cyber skills in a practical, immersive environment.

 

Search Course Catalog

These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2024–2025 academic year. For prior year requirements, visit our catalog archive.

Master’s Degree Requirements

In addition to the specific course requirements outlined on each master's degree webpage, UMGC maintains certain requirements for all master’s degrees.

Program Highlights

Develop skills and gain knowledge through coursework that draws from the expertise and experience of our respected faculty.

Industry Snapshot

This program is designed to help prepare you for work in government organizations, the private sector, and law enforcement agencies in the areas of computer and digital crime.

$9B+
Projected Market
The global digital forensics market size is projected to more than double from $4.15 billion in 2017 to $9.68 billion by 2022.
Source: MarketsandMarkets Research Private Ltd. | "Digital Forensics Market“ | March 2018

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Current Program
Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation
Master of Science

Additional Program Information

We recommend having a background in computing and programming for this program. Strong writing skills are also encouraged.

For some of the upper-level cybersecurity and IT courses in this program, you will need equipment that meets the following specifications. Courses in graphics- or computing-intensive disciplines may require a higher processing speed, more RAM, and/or better screen resolution.

Hardware Requirements

  • 64-bit processor, Intel Core i5 (7th generation or higher), or equivalent (e.g., AMD, M1) 
  • Processor speed: 1.5 GHz or higher (2 GHz recommended) 
  • Storage: At least 250 GB (SSD [preferred] or HD), with at least 30 percent free space 
  • RAM: At least 4 GB (8 GB recommended) 
  • Display/monitor: Minimum 13” 
  • Screen resolution: Minimum 1280 px x 1024 px 
  • Keyboard and mouse/trackpad 
  • High-speed Internet connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) 
  • 32-bit video card

Operating System

Choose one of the following:

  • Windows 10 (recommended; version 1909 or higher required for any course using Adobe Creative Cloud) 
  • Mac OS X 10.15 or higher 
  • Ubuntu 18.04+ (or other Linux LTS) 

Software

  • Microsoft Office 2019 or later (Office 365 Education is available for free with your student email address.) 
  • Most recent version/update of a web browser (Firefox, Safari, or Chrome) 
  • Antivirus software 
  • Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader 

Additional Recommendations

  • Built-in camera (or USB port for a webcam)
  • Built-in microphone and speakers (or USB ports for external audio devices)

Computing Club

The Computing Club provides a dynamic environment where members can work collaboratively, share innovative ideas, enhance their career-readiness, and gain marketable experience in their respective fields. It is available to graduate or undergraduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Students and alumni can join the Computing Club group on CareerQuest.


Cyber Competition Team

The Cyber Competition Team represents UMGC at various cybersecurity events and tournaments nationwide. Being a member of the team gives students an opportunity to develop their cybersecurity skills and network with other students. The team is open to undergraduate and graduate students and alumni through a tryout process. Email jesse.varsalone@umgc.edu or visit the team webpage to learn more.


Upsilon Pi Epsilon (Computing & Technology Disciplines)

Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the international honor society for the computing and IT disciplines, is designed to promote the computing and information sciences and to encourage the enhancement of knowledge in the field. Upsilon Pi Epsilon is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in the computing and information science disciplines. Membership is by invitation only.

Undergraduate membership is open to students majoring in one of the computing disciplines who have completed at least 45 credit hours towards their degree, including 30 or more credits at UMGC (in graded coursework) and at least 15 credits from information technology and computer science courses. Undergraduate students need to have a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher and a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all coursework taken from the information technology and computer science courses.

Graduate student membership is open to students pursuing a master's degree in cloud computing systems, cyber operations, cybersecurity management and policy, cybersecurity technology, data analytics, or digital forensics and cyber investigation; a master's degree in information technology with a concentration in database systems technology, informatics, information assurance, software engineering, or systems engineering; or a legacy master's degree in cybersecurity. Graduate students must have completed at least 18 resident credits towards their degree at UMGC, with a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher.

For more information, please email upe@umgc.edu.

FAQs

I live and work in Guam and I earned my degree at University of Maryland Global Campus.

Suzan L., Guam MS in Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation

 

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