Digital Forensics Major

Release your digital investigation skills. Adopt the investigator's mindset, solve mysteries, and master artifact discovery with Digital Forensics at Champlain College.

Two digital forensics students in a room of other students working on projects

Nationally Recognized

Champlain College is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and Digital Forensics.

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Program Type: Major

School/Division: Division of Information Technology & Sciences

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Investigating digital mysteries

The digital world needs protecting, and this well-rounded and practical program prepares you for a growing job market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for information security analysts is expected to surge 33% from 2020 to 2030. The Digital Forensics program at Champlain College dives deep into the digital realm to equip you with the skills needed to tackle future challenges in digital investigations, computer networks, law, and cybersecurity.

What Is Digital Forensics?

Digital Forensics is an exciting field that involves investigating and analyzing digital devices and data to uncover evidence for legal purposes. It’s like being a digital detective, using specialized tools and techniques to solve cybercrimes, protect sensitive information, and support legal investigations. You’ll learn how to collect and examine data from computers, smartphones, networks, and even the Internet to find clues, identify digital footprints, and reconstruct events. It’s a vital skill in today’s technology-driven world, with endless job opportunities in law enforcement, cybersecurity, private investigation, and more. If you’re curious, enjoy problem-solving, and have a passion for technology, this could be a fascinating and rewarding career path.

Why Study it at Champlain?

Studying Digital Forensics at Champlain College offers unique advantages. Champlain is recognized as a leading institution in the field, with a curriculum designed by industry experts and tailored to the sector’s needs. You’ll receive hands-on training using the latest tools and techniques, preparing you for real-world investigations. Champlain’s strong industry connections provide opportunities for internships with government agencies, technology companies, and security firms, giving you valuable real-world experience.

The College’s Senator Patrick Leahy Center for Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunity to work on real-world cases. In addition, Champlain has been designated a National Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence by the U.S. Department of Defense, ensuring that the program meets the highest standards. By choosing Champlain, you’ll receive a comprehensive education, industry recognition, and a strong foundation for success in this dynamic field.

a cybersecurity student checks a mobile app and the computer code

Different by Design

Nationally Recognized

Our program is recognized by the Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Agency, and the National Institute of Justice, and has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.

Real-World Projects

Our state-of-the-art digital forensics lab offers real-world project opportunities with clients such as the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and Secret Service. You’ll also participate in conferences, research presentations, and digital forensics competitions.

Focus on Investigative Skills and Tools

We focus on developing the investigative mindset and teaching artifact discovery, manual extraction, data interpretation, and learning to use various forensic toolkits. Our curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and prepares graduates for a variety of digital forensic investigations.

Facts & Stats

100%

of Digital Forensics majors in the Class of 2023 were employed within six months after graduation. That’s success you can see.

$120,360

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts earn competitive salaries, reflecting the high demand for their specialized skills in investigating and preventing cybercrime.

$67,500

Median starting salary for Digital Forensics graduates in the Class of 2023.

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Sample Courses in the Digital Forensics Major

Check out some of the hands-on courses in the program. Our Different by Design curriculum means you’ll be in classes in your major right away.

First Year

FOR 100 Introduction to Cybercrime & Digital Forensics

FOR 120 Introduction to Digital Forensic Analysis

Second Year

FOR 210 Operating Systems Fundamentals

FOR 230 Operating System Forensics I

Third Year

FOR 330 Operating System Forensics II

FOR 370 File System Forensics

Fourth Year

FOR 440 Network Forensics and Threat Hunting

FOR 480 Digital Forensic Practicum

See the Learning Outcomes for the Digital Forensics major.

View Full Curriculum

Students in this course will be presented concepts from white collar and cyber crime arena. The topics may include identify theft, fraud, cyber terrorism, hacking, cyber bullying, child pornography and sexual exploitation, testimony, civil and criminal litigation. Students will learn best practices with hands-on experience in identifying and preserving digital evidence.

Prerequisites
Credits	3

This course will examine digital forensics as it relates to both civil and criminal investigations. The course content includes best practices in examining and reporting on digital evidence. Students will be exposed to current technologies and methods as well as leading edge techniques with practical based projects. Students will utilize various popular commercial and free/open-source tools to test and cross-validate results.

Prerequisites	Complete FOR-100 with a minimum grade of C.
Credits	3

In this course, students will learn basic computer organization and operating system functions. The course will cover Processes, Threads, CPU Scheduling, Process Synchronization, Memory Management, Virtual Memory, and Disk Management. Finally, the students will be introduced to System Security, Networking and Virtualization.

Prerequisites	FOR-120 with C or better
Credits	3

This course explores more advanced topics and methodologies for examining digital evidence. Topics taught in this class include File System Forensics, Computer Operating System Forensics and Mobile Device Forensics. Students are challenged to work individually and in groups to examine and prepare detailed reports showing the relevance of digital evidence to mock cases. This course presents a higher level of technical detail and will balance theory and hands-on aspects for conducting digital forensic examinations.

Prerequisites	Complete FOR-120 with a grade of C or better
Credits	3

This course dives into more advanced topics related to operating system forensics such as encryption, sandboxes, telemetry data, different system processes, and cloud applications. The course will also cover many user and system artifacts on various operating systems, such as but not limited to Linux and Mac. Students will conduct complex examinations by correlating between artifacts found on different operating systems in order to reconstruct a timeline of events that happened.

Prerequisites	FOR-230 with C or better
Credits	3

File systems are the underlining structures of hardware systems and are used as a method of storing and organizing computer files and their data. Students will gain a practical knowledge of the elements of digital forensics as it relates to parsing and understanding file system structure and use.

Prerequisites	FOR 230 with C or better & any intro level programming class (CSI 1xx)
Credits	3

An organization’s network is always at risk of being compromised. Students will learn how to find threats and eliminate them by mastering the practical and theoretical aspects of traffic analysis and network forensics as it applies to enterprise investigations. Students will collect and analyze of evidence from different network sources such as firewalls, routers, DNS & DHCP services, Host/Network IDS, and logs. Starting with basic network packet capture analysis, detection of abnormal activity, and covert communication channels to lateral movement, students will apply Threat Hunting to follow the footprints of a threat actor.

Prerequisites	Complete FOR-350 or SEC-350 with a C or better.
Credits	3

The digital forensic practicum provides students the opportunity to apply their academic learning, practical experience and acquired skills in an environment closely resembling a real world setting, working on cases that represent a comprehensive understanding of digital forensics.

Prerequisites	Complete FOR-230 with a grade of C or better.
Credits	3

You might also be interested in these…

Based on your interest in the Digital Forensics major, we thought you also might like to check out these other academic programs and opportunities.

Majors
- Computer Networking & Cybersecurity Major
  
  For our digital future to be secure, information must be safe. Earn real-world experience in computer networking and cybersecurity at Champlain College, and prepare yourself for a vital role protecting society from cyber threats.
- Computer Science & Innovation Major
  
  Help create the digital future. Free your creativity, do real work right away, and fuel your passion for technology and innovation.
- Applied Mathematics Major
  
  Use math to tell stories, crack real-world issues, explore diverse applications, and gain problem-solving skills for future success in many industries.
- Criminology & Criminal Justice Major
  
  Make communities safer. Build a better and more just system. Be an agent of organizational change.
Minors
- Computer Science Minor
  
  Analyze problems, develop software systems, and use a variety of tools to evaluate computer programs and bring your innovations to realization in the Computer Science minor.
- Criminal Justice Minor
  
  Justice at all levels is a keystone of a functional society. Learn the criminal justice process at multiple levels and how your knowledge of this system can benefit your career.
- Cybersecurity Minor
  
  Learn to develop and understand the security components of technology environments. Find solutions for networking and security problems while balancing business concerns and technical issues.
- Law Minor
  
  A strong base understanding of law and the legal system is a valuable asset to any résumé. Tailor your classes to focus on the specific kind of law that applies to your chosen career and get ahead.
Areas of Study
- Cybersecurity, Computer Science & Digital Technology
  
  Solve everyday problems to build a better future with one of these tech-centered majors.
- Individualized Studies & Undeclared
  
  Learn what you love, and love what you learn with one of these professional pathways.
- Law & Society
  
  Want to uphold a system of justice through meaningful public service? Check out these majors that revolve around “doing good.”
- Education, Humanities & the Sciences
  
  The born educator, the team player, the change maker, the advocate. Which of these human-centered majors fits you career goals?
- Business & Data Analytics
  
  Drive change at the intersection of information and impact with one of these majors.

National Recognition

DC3 Designation

Champlain College has been recognized as a National Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence (CDFAE) by the U.S. Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3). As one of the first institutions to receive this distinction, Champlain meets or exceeds the standards set by the DC3 and produces highly sought-after graduates in digital forensics and cybersecurity.?

The CDFAE program was created to address the growing need for skilled professionals to combat digital crime. It allows colleges and universities to partner with the government to ensure that graduates are well-prepared to meet the increasing demands of digital forensics in law enforcement, government, and corporate security.
- Learn More on the DC3’s Website
NSA Designation

Champlain College has been designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense Education. With the Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation, Champlain College’s cybersecurity courses, curriculum, and practices meet the criteria established by the NSA and federal partners such as the FBI and the Department of Defense.?

As part of the NCAE program, Champlain actively contributes to strengthening the national information infrastructure through higher education and research in cyber defense. The designation ensures a high standard of cybersecurity education and the production of confident professionals with extensive expertise in cyber defense.
- Visit the NSA’s Website
- Visit the CAE Community Website

Meet Nick Spanos

Class of 2022

More About Me

Nick Spanos

Class of 2022

School/Division	Division of Information Technology & Sciences
Class	2022
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Home State	Florida

足彩胜负14场

Leahy Center, Technical Intern of 足彩胜负14场 Safety & Cybersecurity

Favorite Class

Operating System Forensics

Why Champlain for studying Digital Forensics?

With the Leahy Center and Champlain being federally recognized for their excellence in digital forensics, it became very clear that Champlain was the school for me. Other colleges don’t boast the same hire rate straight out of college. If you told me in high school that I would be accepted for a job with the federal government by my sophomore year, I wouldn’t have believed you. But in 2020, I signed a two-year contract with the Department of Defense for doing cybersecurity.

What projects have you worked on in classes that you’ve found particularly rewarding or useful?

My public speaking class helped me not only become a better speaker, but also a better presenter. I never knew how to properly end a presentation besides with “So yeah, thank you.” I didn’t have good openings either. The class has helped strengthen my stage presence and my writing ability, which has carried over into my presentations for other classes.

Describe your internship experience.

I was a Technical Intern of 足彩胜负14场 Safety & Cybersecurity at the Leahy Center. This involved researching cyber threats targeting local businesses around Vermont, and creating materials for these businesses with information about different attacks and how to defend against them.I landed this internship my first semester of my first year, so I was building skills in the classroom as I went through the internship. The classes helped with the internship and vice-versa, as my internship introduced me to new concepts that we covered deeper in class.

Career Success

The Digital Forensics program teaches you career-ready skills. 100% of Computer and Digital Forensics majors in the Class of 2023 were employed within six months of graduation.

Your Career Outlook

Learn more about our career-focused education

By the time you graduate, you will…

Possess in-depth knowledge of computer forensics, digital investigations, and the role of digital evidence in criminal and civil cases.
Have developed strong skills in conducting comprehensive and professional digital investigations, following the established investigative process from identification to reporting.
Adhere to the highest standards of professional ethics and conduct, ensuring impartiality and privacy.
Be able to identify and document potential security breaches and violations of legal, ethical, and social standards related to computer information.
Demonstrate expertise in computer networks, operating systems, file systems, hardware, and mobile devices to conduct effective digital investigations and protect computer network resources.

You’ll Find a Career In…

Digital Forensics and Incident Response
Cybersecurity and Threat Analysis
Law Enforcement and Criminal Investigations
Data and Information Security
E-Discovery and Litigation Support
Fraud Detection and Prevention
Risk and Compliance Management

Pre-College Summer Program: Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics Academy

The Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics Academy offers students an in-depth learning experience in the field of cybersecurity and digital forensics. Students work together to solve real digital forensics problems faced by law enforcement agencies all over America and gain hands-on learning experience from veterans of the cybersecurity industry in this pre-college summer program.

This program is designed for students entering grades 10–12 and recent high school graduates.
Learn More on the Pre-College Summer Program Website

Digital Forensics

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large computer screen with computer code on it

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Senator Leahy talks with a small group of people

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More Inside Digital Forensics Major

Overview

Release your digital investigation skills. Adopt the investigator's mindset, solve mysteries, and master artifact discovery with Digital Forensics at Champlain College.
Curriculum

Get hands-on learning from the first semester, covering digital forensics, cybersecurity, and mobile device analysis. Study abroad options available.
Faculty

Learn from expert digital forensics instructors who have real-world experience as authors of books, software, and national and international best practices.

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