Students at work in the Digital Forensics lab

Digital Forensics

Degree Type:
Minor
Mode of Study:
On Campus

Methodist University’s Digital Forensics minor takes a bottom-up approach to information security to give students an understanding of all components that possibly could be compromised if attacked. The program consists of introductory courses in cybercrime and networking, digital forensics, data recovery, and cybersecurity. The program also focuses on the techniques, policies, and operational procedures that are needed by organizations to assist with securing a company’s infrastructure.

Curriculum & Courses

The Digital Forensics minor consists of 18 credits, distributed as follows:

JUS 2410 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) JUS 2500 Digital Crime Investigation (3)
JUS 2430 Introduction to Cybercrime (3) JUS 3600 Basic Data Recovery (3)
JUS 2450 Cybercrime Law and Ethics (3) JUS 4650 Mobile Device Forensics (3)

All students must earn a final grade of C or better in all required coursework for the minor in Digital Forensics. See Criminal Justice course descriptions for detailed information on each course.

Common Career Paths

Some of the top jobs for those with Digital Forensics educational backgrounds include information security analyst, computer forensics technician, software developer, security consultant, digital forensic investigator, and much more.

Common Salary Ranges for Graduates

As mentioned above, there’s a long list of career opportunities for those with Digital Forensics educational backgrounds. But, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for the following positions (which may require additional education) in North Carolina in 2021:

  • Information security analyst: $113,270
  • Software developer: $120,990

Average Tuition Cost

The average cost for an incoming residential freshman to attend MU is less than $18,000 – similar to the cost of attending one of the big-box public schools, but with the enhanced value of a highly-regarded private school with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

While tuition varies, depending on a student’s financial aid package, it’s important to know that the average financial award for an incoming residential freshman at MU is more than $34,000.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

More than 97% of MU students receive some form of financial aid, with the University offering more than $24 million annually to students for scholarships. If a student is active military, family of active military, or a veteran, they may also qualify for MU’s military education benefits.

Interested in Methodist University’s Digital Forensics minor?

If you have questions, see the FAQ below or reach out to Dr. Eric See at his contact info at the bottom of the page. If you’re ready to apply today, visit the link below!

Frequently Asked Questions

Digital forensics takes a bottom-up approach to information security with an understanding of all components that possibly could be compromised if attacked.

The demand for college-trained individuals in the Digital Forensics field is higher than ever. Since cybercrime occurs in every industry and cybersecurity professionals are needed for all industries, Methodist University’s Digital Forensics minor will prepare students for a variety of careers in different types of industries. Students will be prepared to pursue careers in desktop support, technical support specialist, network architecture and design, network administration, system architecture, IT Auditing and Compliance, incident response, digital forensics, penetration testing and vulnerability analysis.

Students can begin to take courses in the minor as a sophomore. If a student has no prior knowledge of computers, it is strongly recommended that the student take CSC 1000 Computer Literacy:  Introduction to Computers and Information Technology.

Methodist University has a dedicated cyber lab that is separate from University network resources that allows students to apply learning in a self contained environment. Students in the Digital Forensics classes are exposed to industry standard software such as Guidance Software Encase, Access Data Forensic Toolkit, Oxygen Forensics Suite, Internet Evidence Finder, FTK Registry Finder, XRY and Cellebrite.  

Yes. Methodist University’s Digital Forensics classes are aligned with the objectives of several industry standard technical certifications. 

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