Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity - D4CS

(formerly Forensic Computing - FCM)

Frequently Asked Questions
by Prospective Students

Below you will find answers from the program director for many of the questions posed to the program director by prospective students. While the information provided here should be correct, it reflects the program director's unofficial views (some information may be provided about changes to be made in the program before they are official).

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

What does a bridge program entail?

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

Entrance information

What GPA is required for admission?

What GRE tests are required?

What GRE scores are required for admission to the program?

Is there any financial aid available?

How many students are accepted?

Transfer students and admissions exceptions

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

How many students are in the program?

When are courses offered?

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?

The current deadline for FCM applicatons can be found on the graduate admissions web page here. Applications are considered when all required materials have been received. Thus, be sure to request references and take the GRE's early enough to have them received for a timely review of your application.

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

Sure! Please make arrangements to do so by contacting the program director or the Graduate Office of Admissions.

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

Yes. The deadline for Spring applications is December 1, 2011.

What type of computing background is required for the program?

The program requires students to have understanding of basic computer science. Why? Because serious digital forensic science requires understanding the science behind forensic and security technology. The background knowledge required includes such fundamental skills and concepts as programming, data structures, algorithms, operating systems and networks. Students who were computer science majors should have this knowledge in hand. A fair assumption is that people who did not major in computer science or a closely related major lack some of this requisite knowledge. The irony is this may include people who have extensive experience and training in information technology, and even people who work in digital forensics and computer security. If you wish to become a digital forensic scientist, however, rather than just a technician then you need to know the science underneath the technology. The good news is you can prepare for that with CSIBridge, the Computer Science for Digital Forensics Bridge Program.

What does a bridge program entail?

Our bridge program provides non-computer science majors with the background they need to take our technical courses in digital forensic science and cybersecurity based on computer science. We offer a special admissions program for that called CSIBridge: Computer Science for Digital Forensics.

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 CSIBridge, applicants may take the GRE subject exam in Computer Science and present a score on that examination for consideration with their application. 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 forensic computer science employs various mathematical concepts, mostly from discrete math.   Applicants must demonstrate a facilty with mathematics either through success in undergradaute calculus, statistics, or discrete math courses, or high math GRE scores. Students without a course in discrete math may be required to take either an undergraduate course or enroll in a CSIBridge Foundations course. A solid math background is a significant advantage in the program as applicants who have completed two semesters of calculus will be qualified to study the statistical techniques becoming more common in digital forensics.

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 criminal justice, law enforcement and investigative experience are especially welcome. All applicants, however, should be prepared to demonstrate a capacity to succeed in criminal justice 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 GPA is required for admission?

The GPA is one measure of an applicant's potential to succeed in graduate school coursework. An undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 causes concern because the minimum GPA required in graduate school is a 3.0. For mid-career applicants who have been out of school for some time, there may be a weak link between their current potential and their undergraduate record. Thus, the GPA is considered in the context of career experience and other graduate school or academic experience. For applicants without career experience, however, a GPA of 3.0 or better is regarded as one fair measure of potential to succeed in the program.  

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 criminal justice courses 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. However, verbal and quantitative scores above the median and a writing analytic score of 4.0 or better are viewed favorably. Scores below these must be balanced by strong evidence of potential in other areas.

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

Applicants who have already taken other graduate entrance exams 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. However, candidates whose GMAT or LSAT scores are below the median are advised to submit GRE scores.

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

Applicants who have earned a graduate degree that required a thesis have the option of not submtting GRE scores. Non-thesis masters students are required to submit GRE scores. In any case, possession of a graduate degree does not assure admission and an application may be strengthend by providing GRE scores.

How many students are accepted?

The program's goal is to have from 10-15 new students each year. About two-thirds of those who apply are accepted for admission.

Is there any financial aid available?

Several financial aid programs are available:

• IGERT Fellowship in Digital Forensics and Cyber Security. Fellowships funded by the National Science Foundation are available to support students who are committed to seeking doctoral training. These fellowships provide tuition and a stipend of up to $30000 a year. Currently we have two IGERT fellows in residence. We anticipate funding to support another IGERT fellow in Fall 2012.
  
  
• Need Based IGERT Fellowships. Need based fellowships are available for forensic computing students of up to $7,500 per year. For information, check here.
  
  
• Customary Financial Aid. Of course, there are the usual veteran's benefits and loan programs. Information may be obtained here: Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Can I take courses as a non-matriculated or a non-degree student?

Students may attend courses up to two semesters as a non-matriculated student. To apply use the regular application form, indicating it is a non-degree application and submit a $50 fee rather than the $125 fee for regular admission.

• Post-Graduate Students. Students who have a graduate degree in computer science or a related field may apply to take courses on a non-matriculated or non-degree basis. Just alert the program director of your desire to do so. Normally, just evidence of your degree is required. Students with other degrees need to provide the normal admissions information required of applicants.
  
  
• CUNY Permit Students. Students from other CUNY graduate programs may apply as Permit students to attend a course in the FCM program of study. Permit students from non-computer science programs must meet the same entrance requirements as FCM students. If you have difficulty getting an ePermit through SIMS, please contact the FCM Program Director.
  
  
• Non-CUNY Graduates. Computer science graduates who wish to enroll as non-matriculated students but who are not already enrolled in a related graduate degree program must apply and meet the same standards as applicants to the degree program.

  

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.

When are courses offered?

Classes are normally offered in the early evening (4:15-6:15PM) or evening (6:20-8:20PM) from Monday to Thursday night to accommodate working students.

Is the program offered online or via distance learning?

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

How many students are in the program?

There are usually about 40 students enrolled in any given semester.

What career prospects are there with this degree?

Pretty good, it would seem. If you are interested in a career in investigations 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. The career backstop, however, is that the demand for cybersecurity and information assurance specialists will continue apace. It is fair to say cybersecurity is a much larger realm than digital forensics. For its part, John Jay seeks to produce versatile forensic computing and cybersecurity professionals with the educational foundation to assure a comfortable, rewarding and engaging career. Thus, the career prospects of the program's graduates are very promising.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The degree program of study is designed to be completed in two years with full-time study. For full-time students, the last semester is slated for the capstone experience of 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. Students who require a bridge program will need longer to complete the program.