Master of Science
Digital Forensics &
Cyber Investigation
Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation
Master of ScienceAT A GLANCE
- 36 credits
- Transfer up to 6 credits
- All courses are available online
- Select on-site and hybrid courses available
TUITION
- $350 per credit hour
(Europe & Downrange)
See our Tuition Rates page for details.
Next Session Starts
Develop the cutting-edge skills and knowledge you need to become a digital forensics expert.
The online master’s degree in digital forensics and cyber investigation from University of Maryland Global Campus is designed to prepare you to meet the growing demand for investigative, leadership, and executive skills in analyzing and mitigating cyber crime. Learn how to determine whether a digital system has been attacked or compromised, and master reliable methods to identify, preserve, analyze, and present evidence for legal prosecution and administrative proceedings.
- Courses
- Requirements
- Sequence
- Accelerated Pathway
Total Credits Required: 30
- Required Core Courses: 15
- Required Capstone Course: 3
- Elective Courses: 12
Introductory Course
- CBR 600
Core Courses
- (6 Credits, DFC 610)
- (6 Credits, DFC 620)
- (6 Credits, DFC 630)
- (6 Credits, DFC 640)
- (6 Credits, CYB 670)
* This information is for students who enroll in the 2024-2025 academic year. For prior year requirements for this program or to review UMGC's complete program requirements for a specific academic year, visit our program catalog archive
- You must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher at all times.
- All degree requirements must be fulfilled within five consecutive years.
- Any transfer credits must have been earned within the five-year time frame to be applied toward a graduate degree.
Please review our overview of overall master's degree requirements for additional considerations.
Core Rules & Recommendations
- All courses must be taken in the order listed.
- You must complete each course with a grade of B or better to advance to the next course.
- The grade of C is not available for these courses.
- The courses in this program will have seven-day and 60-day options for the grade of Incomplete.
Accelerated Pathway
If you completed your undergraduate degree at UMGC with a major in cybersecurity technology, an accelerated pathway between UMGC undergraduate and graduate programs in cybersecurity allows you to earn 6 credits toward the following programs:
- Master's degrees in Master of Science in Cloud Computing Systems, Cyber Operations, Cybersecurity Management and Policy, Cybersecurity Technology, or Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation
- Graduate certificates in Cloud Computing and Networking, Cyber Operations, Cybersecurity Management and Policy, Cybersecurity Technology, or Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation.
To be eligible for the pathway, you must enroll in a related graduate program within two years of completing Current Trends and Projects in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity (3 Credits, CMIT 495).
If eligible, you may be awarded credit for the introductory course in the specified graduate program—either Communicating, Problem-Solving, and Leading in Cybersecurity (6 Credits, CBR 600) or Decisive Thinking, Communicating, and Leading in Technology Fields (6 Credits, DCL 600T). You may only earn credit for one course through this accelerated pathway.
Total Credits Required: 30
- Required Core Courses: 15
- Required Capstone Course: 3
- Elective Courses: 12
Introductory Course
- CBR 600
Core Courses
- (6 Credits, DFC 610)
- (6 Credits, DFC 620)
- (6 Credits, DFC 630)
- (6 Credits, DFC 640)
- (6 Credits, CYB 670)
* This information is for students who enroll in the 2024-2025 academic year. For prior year requirements for this program or to review UMGC's complete program requirements for a specific academic year, visit our program catalog archive
- You must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher at all times.
- All degree requirements must be fulfilled within five consecutive years.
- Any transfer credits must have been earned within the five-year time frame to be applied toward a graduate degree.
Please review our overview of overall master's degree requirements for additional considerations.
Core Rules & Recommendations
- All courses must be taken in the order listed.
- You must complete each course with a grade of B or better to advance to the next course.
- The grade of C is not available for these courses.
- The courses in this program will have seven-day and 60-day options for the grade of Incomplete.
Accelerated Pathway
If you completed your undergraduate degree at UMGC with a major in cybersecurity technology, an accelerated pathway between UMGC undergraduate and graduate programs in cybersecurity allows you to earn 6 credits toward the following programs:
- Master's degrees in Master of Science in Cloud Computing Systems, Cyber Operations, Cybersecurity Management and Policy, Cybersecurity Technology, or Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation
- Graduate certificates in Cloud Computing and Networking, Cyber Operations, Cybersecurity Management and Policy, Cybersecurity Technology, or Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation.
To be eligible for the pathway, you must enroll in a related graduate program within two years of completing Current Trends and Projects in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity (3 Credits, CMIT 495).
If eligible, you may be awarded credit for the introductory course in the specified graduate program—either Communicating, Problem-Solving, and Leading in Cybersecurity (6 Credits, CBR 600) or Decisive Thinking, Communicating, and Leading in Technology Fields (6 Credits, DCL 600T). You may only earn credit for one course through this accelerated pathway.
Program Highlights
Develop skills and gain knowledge through coursework that draws from the expertise and experience of our respected faculty.
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Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
We recommend a background in computing and programming. If you need to improve your computing skills, we recommend you take ASC 605. If you have not taken programming courses, we recommend you take ASC 609. We recommend ASC 601 if you'd like to improve your graduate writing skills.