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Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics


Enrollment for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics is now open. The recommended first course starts in May 2010. After April 15 students should contact df_gradcert@cs.uri.edu to get permission to take the first course. Please contact us before submitting your application to the degree program.

What is a Graduate Certificate? A Graduate Certificate is a university-issued graduate degree. It involves acceptance to the graduate program, graded course work, and typically a paper or project. It is similar to a Master's Degree program but with less course work and a shorter-duration project. It is designed for professionals who wish to obtain a focused graduate degree, but cannot commit to a full Master's degree.

Degree Requirements.
Note that the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics is designed to be done completely online so that professionals from anywhere may take all requirements for the degree online.

Completion of the Graduate Certificate Requires:

  • Admission to the program (see Application Process below).

  • 15 credits of URI course work in approved courses relating to Digital Forensics.

  • Demonstration of course work (any course work including but not limited to: undergraduate, graduate, or non-matriculated) equivalent to:
    • CSC414 (Computer System Fundamentals, 4 credits, online course, typically Summer semester)
    • CSC585 (Topics in Computer Forensics, 4 credits, online course, typically Fall semester)
    • CSC586 (Topics in Network Forensics, 4 credits, online course, typically Spring semester)
    • CSC590 (Digital Forensics Practicum, 3 credits, done online or done as on-site "boot camp")

    Course syllabi are available upon request to forensics@cs.uri.edu

    The requirements state 15 credits, which can be done by taking the four courses listed above. For students who have taken equivalent courses, or wish a different emphasis, there are other courses that can be substituted for these courses to make up the 15 credits.

  • The degree must be completed within a 3-year period with a GPA of at least 3.0. No grades below "B" will be counted toward the 15-credit Certificate minimum. All rules respecting scholastic standing as promulgated by the Graduate school and described in the University Catalog are applicable to the Certificate program.

Typical Plan of Study. A typical student will follow this 16 month schedule to achieve the degree:

  • CSC414 Summer
  • CSC585 Fall
  • CSC586 Spring
  • CSC590 Summer

Required Background. Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics are expected to have an undergraduate degree and demonstrable technical sophistication (e.g. A+ and Net+ certifications, or a Bachelors degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, or significant experience in a professional position working with computers and networks). Computer programming is not required for the typical course plan for this degree.

Application Process. Students apply to the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics through the URI Department of Computer Science by submitting an online graduate application to URI's Graduate School. Click here for the online application. In the application's Plan Information area enter:

  • In the Plan drop down box, choose "Digital Forensics - Grad Certificate". This will auto-fill the Degree and Academic Program boxes.
  • Enter nothing in the Subplan drop down box.
  • In the Concentration text box enter "Graduate Certificate-DF"
Also, in the first line of your personal statement, state that you are applying to the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics.

The fee for applying is $65.

The Graduate Record Exams (GRE) are not required for admission to the Graduate Certificate program. They are required for admission to the Masters and PhD programs.

Transfer to the Master's Degree Program. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics may, upon request, be admitted to the Computer Science Master's Degree program, but may have additional requirements imposed if they have not taken undergraduate computer science courses. Note that the Graduate Certificate is itself a terminal degree; transfer to the Master's Degree Program is simply an option for further study.

For more information email forensics@cs.uri.edu.

Apply Now

Apply Now to the University of Rhode Island.

Apply Now to the Digital Forensics Undergraduate Minor.

Apply Now to our Digital Forensics Professional Certificate Program.

Apply Now to our Digital Forensics Graduate Certificate Program.

Coming Soon

Starting in Spring 2010 URI will be offering a full course in EnCase Forensics Software. This course will be eligible to any student who is currently enrolled in one of the degree or certificate programs and has successfully completed CSC485 or CSC585. Enroll now to be one of the first students eligible. Students who complete the course will be eligible to take their EnCe certification test.