BS Degree in Cyber Forensics & Security

Preparing you for a Career

The Marshall University Cyber Forensics and Security undergraduate program produces well-rounded graduates capable of using their knowledge of science and technology to solve investigative and cybersecurity problems. The CFS program is practitioner-focused, intent on providing students with the education and skills they need to help fill the cybersecurity skills gap. This program emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication through a challenging and hands-on environment. Students in the CFS program will learn to use many of the same professional tools, techniques, and procedures that are being utilized in the workforce.

The Cyber Security Skills Gap

Globally, the world is in need of cyber security specialists. According to a 2022 Fortinet Report, 80% of organizations suffered one or more breaches that were attributed to a lack of cybersecurity skills and awareness. Between July 2021 and May 2022, Cloudflare (a major CDN and DDoS mitigation company) reported a 10% increase in cyber attacks over the previous year – up to nearly 57.9 million attacks per day. Combined with the fact that the US currently only has 66% of its available cyber security jobs filled (leaving nearly 715k total openings), the US has found itself scrambling to hire cyber forensics and security analysts (Cyberseek). The MU CFS program seeks to fill those job openings with highly qualified candidates.

Tools , Labs, and Coursework

All of our core courses contain separate lab sections where students hone their digital forensics and cybersecurity knowledge and skills. Students get extensive experience using industry-standard tools such as MAGNET Axiom’s Process and Examine, Kali Linux, Cellebrite, WireShark, Social Engineering Toolkit (SET), Network Miner, Metasploit, Armitage, NMAP and many others.

Students are able to take certification tests for Cellebrite forensic tools. MU CFS Lab exercises focus on building discrete skills that culminate in realistic projects or scenario-driven problems requiring students to apply what they learned during the semester.

Our labs are either developed and delivered inhouse, or through Cyberbit. Cyberbit provides the Marshall University Cyber Forensics and Security Program a virtualized lab environment and a wide variety of pre-built lab exercises.

The program concludes with an intense capstone experience where students put their knowledge and skills to the test by working through challenging simulated cases, penetration tests, and real-world cybersecurity problems. This capstone experience is designed to assess and reinforce the major learning objectives from their core courses.

Program Requirements

FYS 100 – First Year Seminar – 3 hrs

ENG 101 – Beginning Composition – 3 hrs

ENG 201 – Advanced Composition – 3 hrs

CMM 103 – Fund Speech-Communication – 3 hrs

MTH 140 – Applied Calculus – 3 hrs

FSC 224 – Intro to Forensic Science – 4 hrs

CJ 200 – Intro to Criminal Justice – 3 hrs

Additional Required

Core II Humanities (3 hrs)

Core II Fine Arts (3 hrs)

Multicultural or International (3 hrs)

Non-CFS Courses

NRRM 200 – Analytical Methods: Statistics – 3 hrs

CIT 163 – Intro to Programming C++ – 3 hrs

CIT 263 – Web Programming I – 3 hrs

CIT 352 – Network Protocols and Admin – 3 hrs

CJ 314 – Crime Scene & Investigations – 3 hrs

CFS Courses

CFS 200 – Intro to CFS – 3 hrs

CFS 261 – Intro to Linux – 3 hrs

CFS 305 – Open Source Intelligence – 3 hrs

CFS 357 – Network Penetration and Attack – 4 hrs

CFS 400 – Intro to Cyber Forensics – 3 hrs

CFS 440 – Digital Forensics (WI) – 4 hrs

CFS 448 – Multimedia Forensics – 3 hrs

CFS 454 – Network Defense – 4 hrs

CFS 460 – Applied Cyber Forensics – 4 hrs

CFS 462 – Network Forensics – 4 hrs

CFS 467 – Mobile Device Forensics – 4 hrs

CFS 490 – Capstone

CFS 420 – Incident Response – 3 hrs

CFS 430 – Exploit Development – 3 hrs

CFS 445 – Mobile and Web Pen Testing – 3 hrs

CFS 461 – Cyber Warfare – 3 hrs

CFS 464 – Network Security and Cyber Crime – 3 hrs

CFS 480 – Special Topics

The Cyber Forensics and Security undergraduate program aims to have our students graduate in a four year timeline, in accordance with Marshall University’s goal of doing the same. Click here to view the Cyber Forensics and Security Curriculum.

Download a copy of the 4 Year Curriculum Plan.

Where are we located?

Cyber Forensics and Security degree program students take their classes in the Weisberg Family Applied Engineering Complex—a 155,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2015 with the latest technological capabilities. Our program’s majors will find they can gain experience in an advanced laboratory with the latest equipment used in the field around the country—and right here on our campus in West Virginia.

Also known as the WAEC, students will find the majority of their classes for CFS here at 1676 3rd Ave, Huntington, WV 25703.