DIGITAL FORENSICS

(Associate in Applied Sciences Degree)

Richland only

• Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
• Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.

Degree Plan Code: AAS.DIGIT.FOREN.12

This degree is designed to prepare students for various career opportunities in the computer forensics arena in government, private sector, and law enforcement agencies. The program consists of two degree tracks leading to the Associate in Applied Science Degree. Students may specialize in the Cyber Crime or Information Assurance Track. The Cyber Crime Track places emphasis on investigative techniques, audit and financial analysis applicable to computer forensics. The Information Assurance Track places more emphasis on computer operating systems, network security, and incident response to security threats. This program is intended to provide a foundation on which the graduate can build a computer forensic career through expanded experience and/or further education. In order to enter the field of Information Assurance/Digital Forensics, a clear criminal background is required by most employers. The State of Texas, in most cases, requires those working in this field to hold a valid Private Investigator (PI) license that can be obtained after employment.

For better transferability of AAS of Digital Forensics degree to universities, students should complete an AAS in Digital Forensics degree's Information Assurance Specialization requirement plus:

(1^st YEAR CURRICULUM)

SEMESTER I

SEMESTER II

SEMESTER III

A student must complete the Semester I, II, III, and all the courses in one of the following specializations (Cyber Crime or Information Assurance) in Semesters IV and V in order to be awarded the AAS in Digital Forensics.

*First two courses for Cyber Crime Specialization.

**First two courses for Information Assurance Specialization.

+Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Social/Behavioral Sciences.

++Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Humanities/Fine Arts.

+++Specialty Elective - must be selected from the following courses:

SEMESTERS I, II, and III

SEMESTER IV

SEMESTER V

SEMESTERS I, II, and III

SEMESTER IV

SEMESTER V

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.

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DIGITAL FORENSIC ANALYST

Gainful Employment Information

(Advanced Technical Certificate)

Richland only

• Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
• Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.

Degree Plan Code: ATC.DIGIT.FOREN.12

The Digital Forensic Analyst Certificate is an advanced technical certificate that provides an opportunity for students to acquire advanced specialized knowledge and skills to collect, identify, classify, and analyze digital evidence related to criminal or civil investigations. Those working in this field may be required to testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. In order to award this certificate, students must hold an associate degree or higher degree in the related field (information technology, computer science, criminal justice, accounting, law, or health). Exceptions will be granted for other degrees and junior level status in related areas will be approved by the program coordinator.

CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER I

ITDF 1305	Digital Data Storage Forensics	3
ITDF 2320	Digital Forensics Collection	3
		6

SEMESTER II

ITDF 2425	Digital Forensics Tools	4
ITDF 2330	Digital Forensics Analysis	3
ITDF 2435	Comprehensive Digital Forensics Project OR	4
ITDF 2471	Internship for Digital Forensics	(4)
		11

Minimum Hours Required

17

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.

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