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

Digital Forensics

Online Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Forensics

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation
$0 Textbooks & eBooks

About This Program

Bringing cybercriminals to justice requires individuals with computer forensics certification who have the ability to quickly collect, analyze, and present cybercrime evidence. Become familiar with digital forensic measures for security incident response with an undergraduate certificate in digital forensics from American Public University (APU).

Study how to prevent the loss of sensitive proprietary information and deter future cyberattacks. In addition, you’ll learn about common incident response procedures, web attacks, router forensics, email crime, corporate espionage, and steganography in your online courses in digital forensics.

This certificate also teaches you to analyze file systems, hard disks, and various other types of digital media. It is an ideal way to heighten your digital forensics knowledge without committing to a degree.

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. Grow your knowledge of incident response procedures, computer investigation processes, digital forensics lab work, and investigative reports
  2. Deepen your understanding of wireless network attack forensics, wireless internet use security and access procedures, search warrants, and chain of custody
  3. Study corporate espionage and prevention techniques and computer-related laws and crimes
  4. Learn about image files using forensic processes, recovering deleted files, data acquisition, duplication procedures, and steganography tools

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$350 | $250*
$315**
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant or APUS Opportunity 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: 4006

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The explosion in the use of the Internet and the ensuing growth in cybercrime have given rise to the field of computer forensics (also called digital forensics). Digital forensics is used to assemble digital evidence to prosecute cybercrime, analyze intrusions, mitigate risk, and for data recovery. This course examines the theory, best practices, and methodologies to conduct computer forensics investigations; it includes the ethical issues, data presentation, and chain-of-evidence procedures. It also appraises current tools and technologies to analyze, acquire, and organize digital evidence. This course maps to the general objectives of the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) certification. Requires CITRIX CLIENT SOFTWARE INSTALLATION FOR ONLINE VIRTUAL LABS accessibility.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4411

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This course is an introduction to Computer Forensics Investigation Procedures and Response. It provides a basic understanding of the importance of computer forensics, how to set up a secure lab, the process for forensic investigation including first responder responsibilities, how to handle various incidents and information on the various reports used by computer forensic investigators.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4412

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The growth of wireless networking technologies has given rise to many security issues. Wireless technology has become popular because of its convenience and low cost. This course pertains to the study of Computer Forensics Students will be introduced to advanced techniques in computer investigation and analysis with interest in generating potential legal evidence. An overview of cybercrime and security will be addressed by explaining the basic security procedures and will include discussions of the various security threats that today’s users face. This course will prepare students to gather all necessary information and evidence to support prosecution in a court of law. This course will examine wireless networks and devices and will discuss how to investigate wireless attacks, as well as PDA, iPod®, iPhone®, iPad®, and BlackBerry® forensics. Current literature will be examined on such topics. iPod®, iPhone® and iPad® are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc. BlackBerry® is a registered trademark of BlackBerry Limited.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4413

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The increase in the use of the Internet and ensuing growth in cybercrime have given rise to the field of digital forensics. Students will be introduced to advanced techniques in computer investigation and analysis with interest in generating potential legal evidence. This course examines computer related crime and abuse cases in order to gather all necessary information and evidence to support prosecution in a court of law. Collection of evidence, investigating information hiding, and intrusion response techniques will be explored. This course will examine network intrusions, network traffic, web attacks, DoS attacks and corporate espionage. Current literature will be examined on such topics.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4414

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This course is designed to expose the student to the process of detecting attacks and collecting evidence in a forensically sound manner with the intent to report crime and prevent future attacks. Learners are introduced to advanced techniques in computer investigation and analysis with interest in generating potential legal evidence. The course provides a basic understanding of steganography, data acquisition and duplication. It examines how to recover deleted files and partitions and image file forensics.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4415

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This course is designed to expose the student to the process of detecting attacks and collecting evidence in a forensically sound manner with the intent to report crime and prevent future attacks. Learners are introduced to advanced techniques in computer investigation and analysis with interest in generating potential legal evidence. The course provides a basic understanding of file systems, hard disks and digital media devices. Boot processes, Windows and Linux Forensics and application of password crackers.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jan 6
Register by Jan 3
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Admission Requirements

  • All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED).
  • Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

Materials Cost

Software and/or lab equipment required for some courses in this program must be purchased at the student’s expense, and are not included in the university book grant. Expenses may depend on courses chosen for electives and concentration requirements. Estimated costs can be found at https://apus.libguides.com/bookstore. 

 

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].

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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

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for 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.