Digital Forensics (MS)

Protect Your Organization by Detecting, Investigating and Defeating Cybercrime

The master™s in digital forensics program provides you with the latest techniques and hands-on approaches to analyzing computers and other types of digital media. The program™s coursework examines the various methods used to determine whether something has been used for illegal or unauthorized activities, or has fallen victim to an illegal attack. Upon graduating, you have the knowledge and skills required to work as an examiner in the field or continue on to a doctoral degree or law school. Gain employment in a number of industries from government to law enforcement to the private sector. This program also prepares you for certification exams, including CompTIA A+, GIAC Security Essentials and CompTIA Network+.

Designed to help you balance school, work and life, the UCF Online digital forensics program is available 100 percent online. Please note that if you choose the thesis option, you will be required to have a one-time on-campus thesis defense before you can graduate. UCF also provides a Computer Forensics Graduate Certificate, which requires completing 12 credit hours.

The Master of Science in Digital Forensics degree is a collaborative effort between various UCF academic departments ” Computer Science, Forensic Science of Chemistry, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies ” and the National Center for Forensic Science. The National Center for Forensic Science is a State of Florida Type II Center and a member of the National Institute of Justice Forensic Resource Network of the Department of Justice, serving the needs of state and local law enforcement and forensic scientists.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution recognized by UCF or its equivalent from a foreign institution AND a GPA of 3.0 or more (on a 4.0 maximum) in all work attempted while registered as an undergraduate student OR while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student (normally based on the last sixty attempted semester hours); OR, a graduate degree or professional degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent from a foreign institution in a field related to the discipline of the program to which the student is applying.
• Students applying to doctoral programs should refer to the graduate catalog requirements for their program.
• Students applying to doctoral programs must also submit three letters of recommendation, a resume or curriculum vitae, and a written essay.
• International students must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language. International students, except those who are from countries where English is the only official language, those who have earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or those who have earned a degree from a country where English is the only official language or from a university at which English is the only official language of instruction, are required to submit a score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS before they can be admitted to the university. A computer-based TOEFL score of 220 or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (or equivalent score on the paper-based test) or 6.5 on the IELTS is required unless otherwise specified by the program.
• International students applying to master’s or doctoral programs that do not require a GRE (or GMAT), except those that have earned or will earn a Masters or Doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution recognized by UCF, must submit a course-by-course evaluation of their official transcripts from a credential evaluation service recommended by UCF. This course-by-course evaluation must show a GPA that is equivalent to a 3.0 from an earned degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
• UCF now accepts scanned copies of official transcripts as part of your application materials. You will have the ability to upload these materials during the application process. After you have been offered admission to a graduate program and prior to the beginning of the semester term, you will be required to submit your official transcripts. When obtaining official transcripts, be sure to request that the transcripts show the degrees you have earned.

• those who are from countries where English is the only official language;
• those who have earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university;
• those who have earned a degree from a country where English is the only official language;
• those who have earned a degree from a university at which English is the only official language of instruction; or
• those who have successfully completed UCF English Language Institute Level 8 or higher with a grade of “B” or better at UCF Global.