Program Objectives

The objective of the graduate certificate in Computer Forensics is to provide a foundation in the discipline of Computer Forensics. The graduate certificate program will provide an immediate basis for professionals employed in the high-tech industry to improve their ability to counter threats to information systems, thereby increasing their value to organizations that employ them, and ensuring computer systems under their care are protected. The graduate certificate program will also enable WVU to provide programs that attract FBI and other law enforcement agencies to enroll their officers in this program. A peripheral objective is to provide an opportunity for new or recent graduates to acquire advanced skills in Computer Forensics.

Specifically it will meet the following objectives:

• CF certificate program will foster a high-quality, student centered education.


• CF academic content will provide students with a broad overview of the field and introduce them to recent advances and current research problems.


• The CF program will emphasize ethical, economic, social and legal impacts of computer forensics technologies.


• The program will provide a foundation for the development of advanced computer forensics graduate education and research programs (MS and PhD).


• The CF program will provide our students with ability to counter threats to information systems and provide appropriate "after incident" responses.