Master’s
Information Technology
MS in Information Assurance & Cybersecurity
Digital Forensics

Digital Forensics
Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity

As technology becomes more complex, crime is increasingly perpetrated and coordinated in digital environments. The online MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics at Capella University can position you as a cybersecurity leader with the skills to perform advanced computer forensics, including a deep understanding of the legal challenges associated with digital investigations. Elevate your IT expertise and help make communities safer.

Enhance your agility and skillset

Develop your agility and sharpen your skillset by participating in an immersive, gamified cybersecurity training simulation where you are tasked with defending your network against threats in real-time.

Know and use cybersecurity and digital forensics tools

Demonstrate use of tools appropriate for the information cybersecurity professional. Analyze and examine existing digital forensics tools and study the methods used in digital forensics network investigations.

Take certification exams on us

Capella offers eligible students certification exam vouchers from CompTIA, Cisco, and SAS.

Classes start July 11

Use the code SPRING to waive the $50 application fee.

At a glance

Online
6 Core courses
5 Specialization courses
Capstone

Reduce your tuition by $2,500

Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your master’s degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

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Explore digital forensics courses

This degree requires a total of 48 program credits
You’ll need to complete six core courses, five specialization courses and one capstone

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Show course with description

IAS5015 *	Network Security Fundamentals and Cryptography Learners apply foundational concepts of cybersecurity and information assurance to select appropriate information security policies, procedures, and controls to defend enterprise information assets from breaches of confidentiality and integrity. Learners identify specific points of vulnerability that may be mitigated through the use of administrative security policies and operational information security tools. Learners also examine principles of cryptography and some of the security controls and methods that use it. *Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in IAS5010 or PM5018.*	4 quarter credits
IAS5100	Data Engineering Learners in this course gain an understanding of basic abstract data structures and the role that data structures play in secure software development. Learners apply data structure concepts to information security problems and perform reverse engineering of data structures, databases, software, and hardware components to determine their functionality, inputs, outputs, and stored data. *Prerequisite(s): IAS5130.*	4 quarter credits
IAS5110 *	Digital Forensics Processes Learners in this course apply forensics tools and techniques to investigate incidents, analyze devices, and conduct forensics reporting. *Prerequisite(s): IAS5030.*	4 quarter credits
IAS5120	Digital Forensics Tools Learners explore and apply forensics tools and techniques to investigate and analyze digital devices and constructs such as personal digital devices, storage media, and network hosts and traffic.	4 quarter credits
IAS5130	Programming for Security Professionals Learners in this course examine core programming concepts such as variables, iteration structures, decision structures, data structures (such as arrays), and how to combine these core concepts to write simple scripts and programs. Additionally, learners apply secure coding practices using C and the Python scripting language in their associated integrated development environments. In working with the C language, learners apply defensive coding practices designed to prevent many security vulnerabilities. Using Python, learners write scripts that perform important network administration tasks such as monitoring network traffic.	4 quarter credits

*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.

What you'll learn

This specialization prepares information security professionals for successful performance-effective computer forensics, including the legal challenges associated with digital forensics investigations. Students examine the ways data can be hidden on a computer, evaluate computer forensics investigation tools and procedures, apply methods for handling and transporting uncovered data, and create the reports necessary for presentation of digital forensic evidence at trial.

On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:

Analyze common data structures and data formats for storing data in a computer system
Apply basic procedures such as probing, measuring, and data collection to identify functionality and affect modifications in the prevention of unauthorized malware and reverse engineering, which threaten information security
Apply a common reverse engineering software tool to the safe static and dynamic analysis of software (or malware) of unknown origin for the purposes of recovering the original implementation and/or understanding the software functionality
Analyze methods for the acquisition and analysis of mobile devices in digital forensics investigations
Analyze what can and cannot be retrieved from various operating systems in digital forensic investigations, employing “best practice” methodologies used in host/ network digital forensics
Analyze methods and approaches for forensic analysis on specified media
Analyze methods used in digital forensics network investigations

Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.

How much does the MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity cost?

The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.

GUIDEDPATH

A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.

Learn more about GuidedPath »

Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term

$25,200–$33,600^* MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS

$700 per credit, 48 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits

Learning outcomes »

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*This is only an estimate, using general program pricing, and it does not include fees (including application and resource kit fees). Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. If transfer credits are allowed in this offering, the prices above show what you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits and the price if you brought in the maximum allowed transfer credits.

Questions about cost?

Contact an enrollment counselor.

“Working full time as a Network Technician meant I needed to take classes at times that would work for me. Capella checked off all the boxes! The flexibility was outstanding.”

Will Resendes* – BS IT

*Actual Capella student who agreed to appear in promotional materials.

Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?

Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.

Military discount

Capella offers a tuition discount to active-duty service members and their spouses, Guard and Reserve members, and veterans.

$2.5K toward your master’s

Apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your master’s degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.

Prior learning assessment

Earn credits through prior learning assessment when you demonstrate mastery of competencies. You may also be eligible to transfer credits from previous coursework. Potential savings* of $13,850 on your Master of Science in Information Technology with your CISSP^® – Certified Information Systems Security Professional. See what you could save on your IT degree.

*Savings inclusive of fees charged by Capella to evaluate and award academic credit for your prior learning. The documented credit fee of $50 is assessed each quarter you request documented credit. Capella reserves the right to change fees at any time.

Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.

MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity admission requirements

Admission requirements

Applicants to the MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics program must provide the following information for admission:

Bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or an internationally recognized institution
Your official bachelor’s transcripts, minimum grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
A background acknowledgement form that indicates your technology degree or relevant work requirements for this program
A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs
A valid, government-issued form of photo identification

GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.

International student requirements

If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.

In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:

Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
Transcript evaluation

Learn more about international student admissions.

What support does Capella offer online students?

Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.

Faculty

Our courses are taught by distinguished faculty members who hold top credentials and have hands-on expertise in their fields.

Enrollment counselors

These experts will set you up for success. They’ll help you find the right degree program and answer all your questions about Capella.

Academic coaches

Through quarterly appointments and as-needed coaching sessions, these specialists introduce you to Capella and help you tailor your program to your personal goals and experiences.

Learn more about support from Capella

What can you do with an MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity degree?

Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics.

Job titles to explore

Information security analyst
Cybersecurity specialist
Cybersecurity manager
Chief information officer
Adjunct or part-time information security faculty
Information security officer
Information security engineer
Information assurance analyst
Security architect
Cybersecurity specialist
Security engineer
Network engineer

Employment settings to explore

Government agencies – local, state, federal
Government system integrators
Defense contractors
Military
Consulting firms
Local law enforcement
Land-based or online college or university
Community college
Technology
Finance
Health care
Retail

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.