Graduate Certificate in Digital Investigation

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

The Digital Investigation certificate provides students with a concentration of expertise to conduct digital investigations using a wide array of specialized tools and knowledge. Individuals holding a baccalaureate degree in Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Information Systems, or a related field would be suitable candidates for this program. 

This Graduate Certificate is eligible to receive Title IV funding – Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS loans by request. To be considered for aid, students need to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate certificate program in Digital Investigation must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  1. Graduate Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcript from the baccalaureate degree granting institution
  4. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a closely related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  5. Up-to-date resume

Stem Requirement

At the minimum, students are expected to present a background comparable to that provided in the following courses as described in the Undergraduate Catalog of Sam Houston State University:

Prerequisite courses

Prerequisite Courses
COSC 2327Intro to Computer Networks3
COSC 3318Data Base Management Systems3
MATH 1420Calculus I4
STAT 3379Statistical Methds in Practice3

Students who have not fulfilled the prerequisites in formal coursework are required to take one or more of the graduate stem courses, in addition to the 30 semester credit hours required in the graduate certificate in Digital Investigation.

Graduate Stem Course Requirements

Graduate Stem Course Requirements
COSC 5301Quantitative Foundations of CS3
COSC 5302Computer Science Core Topics3
Graduate Certificate in Digital Investigation
Specified Courses
DFSC 5315Network and Cyber Security3
DFSC 5317Digital Security3
DFSC 5327Digital Forensics Investigatn3
COSC 5330Malware3
DFSC 6312Multimedia Forensics3
Total Hours15

Stem Requirement

At the minimum, students are expected to present a background comparable to that provided in the following courses as described in the Undergraduate Catalog of Sam Houston State University:

Prerequisite courses

Prerequisite Courses
COSC 2327Intro to Computer Networks3
COSC 3318Data Base Management Systems3
MATH 1420Calculus I4
STAT 3379Statistical Methds in Practice3

Students who have not fulfilled the prerequisites in formal coursework are required to take one or more of the graduate stem courses, in addition to the 30 semester credit hours required in the graduate certificate in Digital Investigation.

Graduate Stem Course Requirements

Graduate Stem Course Requirements
COSC 5301Quantitative Foundations of CS3
COSC 5302Computer Science Core Topics3

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state's 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The Graduate Certificate in Digital Investigation is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Digital evidence analysis skills.
  • Data security planning and implementation.
  • Networking security planning and implementation.