Why Stevenson University?
The online Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics offered by this small private university in Owings Mills, Maryland provides professional advancement to cybersecurity professionals. Applicants to the program should hold an undergraduate degree in a technical or quantitative field of study or have related professional work experience.
Standardized test scores are not required, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is expected.
Program Snapshot
| University Name | Stevenson University |
| Location | Owings Mills |
| State | Maryland |
| Niche.com Grade | B- |
| Name of Degree | Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics |
| School or Department Administering Program | Department of Forensics, Law and Criminal Justice |
| Credits | 36 |
| Cost per credit | $695.00 |
| Tuition for Entire Program | $25,020.00 |
| Test Requirements | None |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| Campus Visit Required? | No |
| Typical Time to Complete | 2 years |
| When Can Students Start the Program? | Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Program Concentrations | None |
| Synchronous Classes | Some |
| Required Courses | · Incident Response and Evidence Collection
· Windows Forensic Examinations · Intrusion Detection Systems (ids), Firewalls, Auditing · E-systems Security · Network Penetration Testing · Network and Cloud Forensics · Mobile Device Forensics · Cyber Warfare and Cyber Terrorism · Live Response and Live Acquisition · Legal Compliance and Ethics · Malware Detection, Analysis, and Prevention · Mock Intrusion and Response |
| Does the Program Include a Capstone? | No |
| Does the Program Include a Practicum or Internship? | No |
| Other Features that Make the Program Unique | Focus on digital forensics and data analysis, highly specialized virtual lab environment, students utilize state-of-the-art digital forensic technology to perform hands-on work related to advanced forensic analysis, participate in exercises based on real-life events such as thefts of electronic information, cyber attacks, and other cyber crimes, focus on career, program is certified by the Quality Matters initiative as a quality program designed around measurable learning objectives or competencies |
| Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program) | Select the appropriate tools to recover operating systems, artifacts, and data, Identify current attack vectors and exploited vulnerabilities, including advanced persistent threats, used by criminals to gain access to information systems and propose appropriate defenses to exploitation, Analyze information systems for signs of breaches and identify data that has been exfiltrated from those systems, Produce a professional forensic report that includes the methodology used for the collection, handling, and preservation of digital evidence, Interpret and apply the applicable laws and statutes that govern the search and seizure of digital evidence, Collect and preserve digital evidence (including volatile data and network data) during a computer forensic examination in an appropriate and effective manner, Provide an oral defense of the findings that appear in a written report, |
| Program Description | Consisting of 36 credits, this degree is taught from a criminology and criminal justice perspective. This is a generalist program with no concentrations offered. The program follows a traditional course schedule |
What will I Learn?
The curriculum emphasizes practical skills in a sophisticated virtual lab environment, with a focus on digital forensics and investigation. Students will learn how to choose the right tools to recover operating systems, artifacts, and data, how to identify existing attack vectors and exploited risks, how to assess information systems for evidence of breaches, and how to identify data stolen from those systems. They learn how to write a professional forensic report that includes the process for collecting, handling, and preserving digital evidence, as well as how to acquire and preserve digital evidence and defend their results orally. They know how to evaluate and implement the laws and statutes that regulate digital evidence searches and seizures.
The curriculum is entirely coursework-based, with no capstone or internship. All students take the same courses and no specialization is possible. Required courses are as follows: Incident Response and Evidence Collection, Windows Forensic Examinations, Intrusion Detection Systems (ids), Firewalls, Auditing, E-systems Security, Network Penetration Testing, Network and Cloud Forensics, Mobile Device Forensics, Cyber Warfare and Cyber Terrorism, Live Response and Live Acquisition, Legal Compliance and Ethics, Malware Detection, Analysis, and Prevention, and Mock Intrusion and Response.
The Stevenson University program has been certified by the Quality Matters initiative as a quality program designed around measurable learning objectives or competencies.
How much will the program cost?
Most students complete the program within 2 years and pay $695.00 per credit for a total of 36 credits, or $25,020.00 in total.
How does the program fit into my life?
Some courses are asynchronous, meaning that students complete coursework on their own schedule each week, including watching pre-recorded lectures and participating in online discussion. Some courses are synchronous, requiring attendance at a “live” class at the same time each week.
Students receive substantial career planning support. No campus visit is required. Most students complete the program within 2 years. Students can enter the program in Fall, Spring, or Summer.
Summary
Mid-range in terms of cost, the cybersecurity master’s from this accessible university is taught from a criminology and criminal justice perspective. Following a traditional course schedule, students focus on digital forensics and data analysis, students perform hands-on exercises based on real-life events such as thefts of electronic information, cyber attacks, and other cyber crimes. Communication skills and career preparation are emphasized.
