Abstract
This research focuses on the development of a standard digital forensics master’s curriculum. A current state analysis has been done of various master’s programs across the United States. Each of the courses were analyzed and compared against digital forensic domains from previous studies, including the Digital Forensic Certification Board’s (2009) KSA domains and Beebe and Clark’s (2006) knowledge domains. The courses were charted under their appropriate categories in an effort to identify the topics covered within each curriculum. Both a qualitative and frequency analysis were then completed to review the domains covered within each program. The results showed a wide variety of topics from school to school. Eight of the twelve master’s programs were more generalized and touched briefly on a majority of the domains, while the remaining programs emphasized more specific areas such as computer science, law, and criminal justice. Using the data gathered from the analyses in combination with the KSA and knowledge domains, a standard digital forensics curriculum has been identified as a starting point for future research. This model curriculum includes required courses, potential electives, and descriptions of each. Future research should further test whether this standard curriculum is generalizable to all programs within this field.
Keywords
Digital Forensics, Standards, Curriculum Development
Date of this Version
4-27-2010
Department
Technology
Department Head
Lonnie D. Bentley
Month of Graduation
May
Year of Graduation
2010
Degree
Master of Science
Head of Graduate Program
Gary Bertoline
Advisor 1 or Chair of Committee
Marcus Rogers
Committee Member 1
Marcus Rogers
Committee Member 2
Rick Mislan
Committee Member 3
Mark Pollitt