Digital and Cyber Forensic Science

This Ph.D. program is intended for students with a bachelor's degree in computing science, computer engineering, or digital forensics and provides the theoretical, conceptual, methodological, and computational skills needed to understand the role of digital and cyber forensic science in post-technological societies. This degree is designed to produce graduates with the technical and leadership skills needed for leadership positions in business and industry, federal and state security agencies, and academia. 

Students seeking their Ph.D. in digital and cyber forensic science must complete 85 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. Previously completed master's level coursework is evaluated on an individual basis. For advancement to candidacy, you must be enrolled full-time, maintain a 3.0 grade point average, complete 46 graduate credit hours of coursework and internship, submit a portfolio for review, and pass Comprehensive Examinations.

Students who advance to doctoral candidacy must complete and defend a doctoral dissertation, and a minimum of 15 credit hours of dissertation with continuous enrollment in the dissertation course until graduation are required.

Transcript evaluation of your baccalaureate degree if it is conferred outside of the U.S.

1. Complete an online application and pay the $90 non-refundable application fee.

2. Create your SHSU Self Service Center account and upload additional application materials.
   See your program of study for specific submission deadlines.

3. Provide a transcript evaluation of your baccalaureate degree if it is conferred outside of the U.S.

   This evaluation must be provided by a NACES accredited evaluator. SHSU only requires a summary report showing your degree converted into U.S. equivalents to verify that hours attended, and overall GPA meet admission standards.

   NACES accredited evaluators include SDR in Houston and WES. Additional NACES evaluators can be found at www.naces.org/members.

4. Submit an English proficiency test score
   
   • Students who completed undergraduate or previous degree coursework at a university where English was the language of instruction, and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, may be eligible for a english proficiency waiver.