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
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.
