Master of Science in Forensic Computing Program

Frequently Asked Questions about Admissions

• Admissions deadlines and procedures

• Background and undergraduate preparation

• Entrance requirements

• About the program

• Transfer students and admissions exceptions

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Admissions deadlines and procedures

What important dates and deadlines are there

Can I visit the college and arrange an interview with a program faculty member?

Can I apply to begin my studies in the Spring semester?

Background and undergraduate preparation

What sort of students is the program looking for?

What type of criminal justice or social science background do applicants need?

What type of computing background is needed to qualify for the program?

What courses would fulfill the computing background requirements?

What if I know the material covered in the required undergraduate prerequisite courses but have learned it without taking the required college courses?

What type of mathematics background do students need to qualify for the program?

Can I satisfy the math requirement without the required two courses in calculus?

Entrance requirements

What GPA is required for admission?

What GRE tests are required?

What GRE scores are required for admission to the program?

How many students are accepted?

Transfer students and admissions exceptions

Can I be admitted to the program if I do not meet all of the admissions undergraduate course requirements?

May I submit GMAT, LSAT, or other graduate entrance exams instead of GRE scores?

Do I have to submit GRE scores if I have already been admitted to a graduate degree program or have already earned a graduate degree?

Can I take courses as a non-matriculated student?

How many graduate credits can be transferred into the program?

FAQ's about the Program

Why are undergraduate computer science courses required?

Why is calculus required?

What technical resources does the program have?

Is the program offered online or via distance learning?

What career prospects are there with this degree?

How long does it take to complete the program?

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What important dates and deadlines are there?

FCM applicatons are considered on a rolling basis; however, the deadline for assured consideration of applications is June 30 for the Fall semester and November 30 for the Spring semester. International students coming from abroad need to apply earlier than this to assure they complete immigration processing in time. Be sure to take the GRE's early enough to have your scores received for a timely review of your application. Files are not reviewed until they are complete.

Can I visit the college and arrange to speak with a program faculty member?

Of course. Please make arrangement to do so by contacting the Graduate Office of Admissions.

Can I apply to begin my studies in the Spring semester?

The prerequisite structure of the required courses allows students to begin in either semeser. Spring students simply join the Fall students in the normal sequence of courses.

What sort of students is the program looking for?

The program seeks individuals who have the background and interest to become leaders in the field of digital forensics. We especially seek to attract people who have a computing background into law enforcement and investigative roles. Both mid-career and continuing students are sought who combine sophistication in the use of computers and a commitment to public service.

What type of criminal justice or social science background do applicants need?

The program does not require any particular background or undergraduate college coursework in criminal justice or social science. Of course, applicants with law enforcement and investigative experience are especially welcome. All applicants, however, should be prepared to demonstrate a capacity to succeed in social science and law courses that require substantial reading and writing at the graduate level. Demonstration of this capacity may be based upon such factors as grades in social science or humanities courses, personal publications, and the verbal and analytical writing score on the GRE’s.

What type of computing background is needed to qualify for the program?

The program seeks people who have a standing and strong interest in computers. Moreover, graduate computer science courses are taught assuming that students have a basic computer science background comparable to that received by undergraduate computer science majors. Thus applicants need undergraduate level course work or comparable knowledge in the following computer science areas (typical names of suitable courses are shown in brackets):

• An object oriented programming language. [e.g., Introduction to Computing and Programming; Object Oriented Computing]

• Data structures (stacks, queues, linked lists and trees) and algorithms (searching and sorting). [e.g., Advanced Data Structures; Computer Algorithms]

• Operating systems fundamentals [e.g., Operating Systems]

What courses would fulfill the computing background requirements?

The following courses offered at John Jay would fulfill the computing background requirement. Comparable courses are offered at most colleges and universities although the required topics may not be perfectly aligned with the John Jay courses.

MAT 271. Introduction to Computing and Programming
MAT 272. Object Oriented Programming
MAT 373. Advanced Data Structures
MAT 375. Operating Systems
MAT 377. Computer Algorithms

What if I know the material covered in the required undergraduate prerequisite courses but have learned it without taking college courses?

As an alternative to presenting credits from courses comparable to those required, applicants may take the GRE subject exam in Computer Science and present a score on that examination for consideration with the application.  Otherwise, applicants need to have taken the required undergraduate courses.   Information about the GRE exam in Computer Science can be found on the GRE web site: www.gre.org/subdesc.html

What type of mathematics background do students need to qualify for the program?

Graduate coursework in computer science often employs calculus and mathematics to develop points and theory.  Thus, one year of undergraduate calculus is a prerequisite for all the computer science courses in the program. The following John Jay College courses would fulfill the mathematics background requirement; however, comparable courses are offered at most colleges and universities:

MAT 241. Calculus I
MAT 242. Calculus II

Can I satisfy the math requirement without the required two courses in calculus?

In lieu of two semesters of college coursework in calculus, students may present a score from the ETS Advanced Placement test in Calculus (BC version). A score of 4 or 5 is required to waive the two semester requirement of calculus. Information about the Advanced Placement Examination in Calculus can be found on the College Board website: www.collegeboard.com.  

What GPA is required for admission?

Admission to graduate programs typically requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, although that does not guarantee admission. For Forensic Computing applicants, however, the GPA of the last two years and in mathematics, computer science, and social science courses are considered most important> so it is possible for students who have performed well in their last two years to be considered. For mid-career applicants who have been out of school for some time, the undergraduate record is considered in the context of their work experience and other graduate school or academic experience.  

What GRE tests are required?

Scores from the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required. A computerized version of the GRE is offered monthly at many locations. The GRE score is one factor in the admissions decision and is especially useful to assess a candidate’s potential to succeed in graduate law and social science classes where significant reading and writing are assigned. Information about the GRE is available at www.gre.org .   

Are there minimum GRE scores required for admission to the program?

GRE scores are just one factor in the admissions profile of applicants. Thus, the program has not set any minimum qualifying scores for the verbal and math portions. However, low scores must be balanced by strong evidence of potential on other counts. While there is no minimum score required for the either the math or verbal parts of the GRE, nor any minimum combination score, a minimum score of at least 3.5 on the Analytical Writing Sample is required for admission.

May I submit GMAT, LSAT, or other graduate entrance exams instead of GRE scores?

Applicants who have already taken other graduate entrance exams that include written and verbal components may ask to waive the GRE requirement and submit an alternative exam. These exams include the GMAT and LSAT. If you have already taken such an exam then you should have your scores submitted with your application and a letter requesting a waiver. If you have not already taken such an exam then you need to submit general GRE scores as part of your application.

Do I have to submit GRE scores if I have already earned a graduate degree?

Applicants who have earned a graduate degree have the option of not submtting GRE scores.

Can I be admitted to the program if I do not meet all of the admissions prerequisite requirements?

You may qualify for the Forensic Computing Bridge Program. This may be offered to applicants who are otherwise qualified but lack some of the undergraduate prerequisites, such as the need for calculus or some of the required undergraduate computing courses.  For information about the Bridge program click <here.

How many students are accepted?

The program's goal is to have from 10-15 new students each year. The first two cohorts each had 17 students. About half of those who have applied yave been accepted for admission and almost all of those accepted the offer of admission.

Can I take courses as a non-matriculated student?

Yes.  However, students who wish to attend technical courses on a non-matriculated basis must submit an application for admission and meet the basic prerequisites of the program. According to the Registrar's rules, students may attend two semesters on a non-matriculated basis.   

How many graduate credits can be transferred into the program?

Up to twelve graduate transfer credits can be accepted for credit. These credits must be for courses that are comparable to courses in the program.

Why are undergraduate computer science courses required?

The program faculty are resolved that a graduate program in computer forensics should be grounded in science and provide an education beyond technology training. Our philosophy is that a rigorous and scientifically grounded approach to the study of computer forensics will add value and attract fresh talent to the field and prepare the graduate to make a significant contribution to the field.

Why is calculus required?

Of course, the language of computer science is essentially mathematics. While calculus is not used in every course, it is essential to at times but more generally provides a useful grounding in core mathematical concepts and an intellectual maturity for abstract thought that proves valuable for both understanding and problem solving.

Is the program offered online or via distance learning?

No. While most classes in the program have some online component, the program is not available either online or via distance education.

What technical resources does the program have?

The program has a dedicated computer lab equipped with workstations, a VMware network, and a Panavision Smartboard. As well, it has a student laboratory, called the "Sandbox", equipped with four special purpose dual processor computers, a RAID, routers, and a collection of laptops and other digital devices. The classroom and labs are equipped with various forensic software, such as Encase, FTK, and Smart. Students are able to use the lab anytime the college is open to students except when a class might be in session.

What career prospects are there with this degree?

The era of high-technology crime has eclipsed the capacity of traditionally equipped and trained law enforcement agencies and personnel to cope with ever increasing amounts of digital evidence and novel modes of cybercrime. Thus, electronic crime labs are being opened around the country by federal, state and local agencies and the demand for managers, investigators and technicians to work in such labs is growing. As well, virtually every major corporation and agency encounters forensic challenges and must confront the need for qualified investigators. The forensic workload far exceeds the supply. Many training programs geared to first responders, prosecutors and investigators are being developed and offered. Thus, more and more positions requiring forensic computing expertise are being created. This trend and the demand for forensic specialists can be charted by checking federal job listings and online placement services. For its contribution, the program seeks to produce a cadre of forensic computing specialists who are comfortable with the science underlying the technology and have the capacity to solve emerging problems independently, to engage in research, to assess and validate forensic computing tools, and to train others in the field. Thus, the career prospects of the program's graduates seem very promising. That may not last indefinitely but all signs suggest there should be growth in the field for some time to come.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The degree program of 39 credits is designed to be completed in two years with full-time study. For full-time students, the last semester is slated for their fieldwork or thesis research. The pace for completion of the degree requirements by students who attend part-time will vary. Students can speed up degree progress a full semester by doing their fieldwork during the summer.