15 Universities with Online Computer Forensics Programs

The field of computer forensics is rising to meet digital security needs. As the amount of digital information entered, shared, and stored online increases, so too does the need for information security professionals to protect privacy. By illustration, Fortune Business shows that the global smart home market size was valued at $101.07 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from $121.59 billion in 2024 to $633.20 billion by 2032. Additionally, the smart home market in the United States is predicted to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of $105.25 billion by 2032.

This rapid expansion means time-saving enhanced services between consumers and manufacturers in healthcare, retail, and transportation but also leaves individuals and corporations vulnerable to digital information breaches.

Also known as information security analysts, this career field is poised for growth in the coming decade. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts information security analyst careers will grow by 33 percent from 2023 to 2033 (BLS 2024). This rate is much faster than the national average for all occupations (4 percent) and equates to 59,100 new computer forensics positions.

Befitting the digital nature of this job, there are several online computer forensics programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Computer forensics programs also have titles such as digital forensics and cybersecurity. The computer forensics programs listed here teach students how to prevent theft and corruption of personal data, extract information from computers and mobile devices, and safely preserve and document digital evidence to be presented in a court of law if needed.

Why are computer forensics programs important? The answer is simple: as information technology policies and practices continue to involve day-by-day, more than ever, it is critical for law enforcement and digital security teams to stay ahead of criminals trying to steal and misuse private information.

Here are 15 online degree and continuing education programs for those getting started or wanting to enhance their skills and expand their career opportunities in computer forensics and information security.

1. American Military University

American Military University’s School of Science, technology, Engineering, and Math offers an online graduate certificate in digital forensics providing students with an advanced understanding of innovative methods and tools for analyzing and collecting digital data and devices associated with cybercrime. Completing this program does not award any professional certifications, but may be helpful in preparing to earn such certifications.

Made up of 18 credits, the program includes courses such as computer forensics; advanced cybercrime analysis; telecommunications and network security; advanced digital forensics; advanced eDiscovery; and information security management.

• Location: Charles Town, WV
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Within a year

2. Strayer University

Strayer University offers an online bachelor of science program in criminal justice with a concentration in computer forensics, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to support criminal investigations. They learn to leverage data and computer forensics for collecting, analyzing, and preserving digital evidence.

Graduates will learn the basics for investigating computer-based crime. They will dig into the methods used by criminals for identifying and exploiting network vulnerabilities and developing countermeasures to prevent data and information breaches from criminals.

This 40-course program includes classes in networking security fundamentals; information technology in criminal justice; introduction to networking; computer forensic technology; crime and criminal behavior; criminal justice report writing; criminal investigation; and criminal procedure, among others.

• Location: Alexandria, VA
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four years

3. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida, located in Orlando, offers a master’s degree in digital forensics that is nearly all online. Students defend their thesis on-campus or pursue one of the non-thesis options: enrolling in an internship or taking two elective courses.

Comprising 30 credits, the program includes courses such as computer forensics; topics in forensic science; the practice of digital forensics; advanced topics in computer security and computer forensics; wireless security and forensics; malware and software vulnerability analysis; operating systems and file system forensics; and incident response technologies.

• Location: Orlando, FL
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

4. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online bachelor of science in cyber security degree. This 120-credit program provides students with didactic coursework, hands-on experience in online cybersecurity labs, and the opportunity to transfer credits and earn certifications such as CompTIA Network+ and others.

In addition, students in this program can choose from two concentrations in data analytics and project management, and the curriculum is aligned with nationally recognized standards such as NIST’s NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and CSEC Cyber Security Education Consortium.

Some of the courses in the curriculum include fundamentals of information technology; computer operating systems; introduction to computer networks; cybersecurity foundations; computer networking; network security; operating system security; cyber defense; and network defense.

• Location: Manchester, NH
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four years

5. Devry University

Devry University offers an online bachelor’s degree in computer information systems with a specialization in computer forensics that helps students develop skills related to programming, operating systems, connectivity, security, and hardware that they can leverage in today’s IoT economy.

The program will teach students how to utilize computer forensic software applications and the ethics and laws that affect digital evidence. They will also learn about recovering and gathering evidence from viruses and information security breaches that could be destroyed or encrypted and use them to prepare reports that may be submitted in court.

Consisting of 124 credits, the program includes courses such as digital forensics; cybersecurity and data privacy; information systems security planning and audit; web application development; database systems and programming fundamentals; introduction to cloud computing; fundamentals of information systems security; and introduction to digital devices.

• Location: Lisle, IL
• Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four years

6. Pace University

Pace University offers an online bachelor’s degree in professional technology studies with a concentration in computer forensics. Students take 20 credits in core IT classes and 20 credits in their career focus emphasis. Core IT classes include computer security overview; crime and public policy; and mobile device forensics. Another 16 to 24 credits are taken in general education liberal arts studies.

The Seidenberg School at Pace University is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

The curriculum includes courses such as forensic investigation; evidence admissibility; mobile device forensics; crime and public policy; terrorism and society; database management systems; systems development and project management; web development with content management systems; and object oriented concepts and development.

• Location: New York, NY
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Three to four years

7. Champlain College

Champlain College offers a 100 percent online bachelor’s degree in computer forensics and digital investigation. In this 120-credit program, students take courses such as criminal law and operating systems and expand their knowledge further through classes like cybercrime and mobile forensic analysis at the upper levels.

The program is offered in partnership with the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3), enabling students to access industry credentials and reducing degree completion requirements by five courses. In addition, students can choose to earn the Department of Defense Digital Media Collector and the Digital Forensic Examiner certificates to access jobs in the federal government and private sectors.

Some of the courses in the curriculum include criminal law; criminal procedure; networking fundamentals; introduction to python; criminal investigation; digital forensic investigation techniques; malware forensics; anti-forensics and network forensics; operating system forensics; and mobile forensics.

• Location: Burlington, VT
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four years

8. Stevenson University

Stevenson University, with campuses in both Stevenson and Owings Mills, Maryland, offers an online master of science degree in cybersecurity and digital forensics. In addition to courses like incident response and evidence collection; windows forensic examinations; network penetration testing; legal compliance and ethics; malware detection, analysis, and prevention; file systems forensic analysis; and windows intrusion forensic investigations, the program also provides students with an opportunity to hone real-world skills with the mock intrusion and response capstone.

Stevenson University also offers a fully online 18-credit graduate certificate in digital forensics and an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice; cybersecurity and digital forensics; and legal studies. Other programs offered by Stevenson include master’s degrees in crime scene investigation; forensic accounting; forensic investigation; forensic science; and forensic studies; and post-baccalaureate certificates in crime scene investigation; digital forensics; forensic accounting; and forensic investigation.

• Location: Owings Mills, MD
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

9. University of the Potomac

The University of the Potomac, with campuses in Washington, D.C. and Falls Church, Virginia, has a fully online bachelor of science degree in cyber security and policy, offered in-person and online. A total of 18 credits in cybersecurity are required in lower-level courses such as cyber law; computer systems technology; and network security management, while 30 credits in cybersecurity and computer courses are needed for the upper level.

Courses include an introduction to digital forensics; network defense and countermeasures; and evaluating emerging technologies. In addition, students can choose from five concentration areas: government contract management; healthcare management; information management; international business; and management.

• Location: District of Columbia & Falls Church, VA
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four years

10. Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University, located in Huntsville, Texas, offers a hybrid online master’s degree in digital forensics that is 30 credits. Students must take six required courses, including cyber law; digital security; network and cyber security; file system forensics; and digital forensics investigation, for a total of 18 credits and then four additional elective courses.

In addition, the campus features a network security lab to prepare students for training in data, network, and cyber security intrusion detection, prevention, and tracing. This program is ideal for students with major or minor degrees in computer science and criminal justice or professional experience who want to expand their knowledge and skills.

• Location: Huntsville, TX
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

11. Boston University Metropolitan College

Boston University Metropolitan College in Boston has a graduate certificate in digital forensics that students can complete on-campus, hybrid, or online. Students take four classes in this 16-credit program, and if desired, students can apply these classes toward a master’s degree in computer information systems at the school.

Required courses include business data communication and networks; digital forensics and investigations; and mobile forensics and security. This program is certified by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS).

• Location: Boston, MA
• Accreditation: Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center (GAC); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM); New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Eight to 12 months

12. Penn State Online

Penn State Online in University Park, Pennsylvania, offers an online master of professional studies degree in homeland security with a cyber threat analytics and prevention option. This 33-credit program is ideal for bachelor’s degree holders in technical or scientific fields such as applied mathematics, computer information systems, and statistics.

Required courses include homeland security administration: policies and programs; homeland security: social and ethical issues; and violence, threats, terror, and insurgency.

Courses in the cyber threat analytics and prevention option and electives include computer and cyber forensics; network management and security; cybersecurity analytics; data collection and cleaning; contemporary information systems architecture; web security and privacy; network and predictive analytics for socio-technical systems; and crisis, disaster, and risk management.

• Location: University Park, PA
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: One year

13. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus, with a campus in Adelphi, Maryland, has an online master’s degree in digital forensics and cyber investigation that is 30 credits long and includes a three-credit final capstone project.

Five core courses include digital forensics and cyber investigation foundations; collection and examination of digital evidence; windows forensics and security; linux forensics and security; and cloud and network forensics. For the remaining 12 credits, students will be required to take four 3-credit elective courses.

Students learn skills such as creating navigation plans for digital forensic incidents and identifying malicious software, network activity, suspect traffic, and intrusion artifacts through review and analysis. Graduates from this program are prepared to take industry-level standard certifications such as GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA) and EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE).

• Location: Adelphi, MD
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two to five years

14. Utica University

Utica University in Utica, New York, has a master’s degree in cybersecurity with a digital forensics specialization available online. In this program, students learn how to analyze information on handheld devices like mobile phones and digital devices and recover and preserve such digital evidence. Students complete 18 credits in core required courses, nine credits in their specialization area, and a three-credit capstone course.

The core courses of the program include principles of cybersecurity; programming applications for cybersecurity; cloud infrastructure; defending critical national infrastructures and national security; threat hunting and incident response; and securing and defending networks. The digital forensics specialization includes courses in computer forensics and investigation methods; intrusion forensics and network analysis; and a malware practicum.

• Location: Utica, NY
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years

15. Capella University

Capella University offers an online master of science program in information assurance and cybersecurity with a concentration in digital forensics. The program positions students as cybersecurity leaders, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed for performing advanced computer forensics, including an in-depth understanding of the legal challenges associated with digital investigations. Graduates will be able to elevate their IT expertise and help make communities safer.

This program includes courses such as information technology security fundamentals; network security fundamentals and cryptography; information security regulatory and legal environment; operating system defense; and identifying and managing risk. Specialization courses include data engineering; digital forensics processes; digital forensics tools; programming for security professionals; and network architecture and cyber operations. The program requires a total of 48 credits.

• Location: Minneapolis, MN
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years