In your honest opinions, as Forensic Experts?

Well I haven't heard anything about either of the schools forensic programs, but they're both decent schools.

From my perspective, I have a straight IT background, but my degree isn't in IT (it's Music actually). But since I grew up in the computer industry I can take more of my experience in how computers work and apply it to forensics. The actual forensics aspects of it I picked up from specific classes and certification programs. So by the time I went into computer forensics, a lot of the "bits and bytes" aspects already made sense to me, because I'd been working with it for years. It was more of the procedural and "don't damage the evidence" sort of things that I got out of the specific training.

And of course it's always nice to see another "Windy City" person on FF. )

Tom

Not (necessarily) a comment on your choice of schools, but you forgot to put an option for "neither". P

@Patrick4n6 - sorry, fixed. )

I just wanted to add a little more information about my background. I have been in the IT industry for almost 10 years now and have worked my way through being a level 1 desktop tech to a level 3 desktop tech. Even though it says I am a desktop tech I have always assumed the role of more of a generalist, I work with the servers and even a little bit of network. If there is a problem with IT, I fix it or figure out how to fix it.

I have always had an interest in the forensics portion of computing and have dabble with it at my current job. Mainly the discovery and investigation of "alternative" web browsing, but I hunger for more knowledge and expertise.

I have been reading a couple of forensic books on my own and have been learning about the different tools and techniques at a CF experts disposal for about 5 years now, but have never been able to obtain a job with just this and feel that the need is to have a degree with a couple of certifications behind it.

Like I said, I have wasted time and money at previous schools and want to avoid doing this again.
If you have other recommendations other than what I think please let me know.

Thank you again.

I am planning to go back to school and get a BS in Computer Science/Tech with Forensic focus, I want to know what the current Forensic experts of the world think about ITT or DeVry.

I have already gone through 2 years of Vatterott and felt it was a waste of time and money and do not want to go through that again and just want the experts honest opinions of the 2 schools.

Are you referring to Vatterott Educational Centers, Inc . or Vatterott College, or are these one in the same?

Since you are currently employed and have experience in various facets of IT I am going to suggest you consider earning a bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution to maximize future utility should you decide at some point to pursue a graduate degree. Fort Hays State University (FHSU) offers an excellent degree, Bachelor of Science in Information Networking and Telecommunication Computer Networking, which should provide you with a solid academic qualification to backup your work experience. To complement the Bachelor of Science in Information Networking and Telecommunication Computer Networking you could complete an undergraduate certificate in digital forensics from Champlain College or the graduate certificate in digital forensics from the University of Central Florida. The reason I recommend Fort Hays State University is the relatively low tuition fees and the positive experience a former coworker had with the school. For the record, I earned the Computer Forensics & Digital Investigation certificate from Champlain College. All these programmes offer on-line courses and are regionally accredited.

Read in small print at the bottom of the commercials for each place.

"Credits earned are unlikely to transfer"

That should be a hugeeeeeeeee red flag to run. All of my college credits transfer to anywhere in the world.

Read in small print at the bottom of the commercials for each place.

"Credits earned are unlikely to transfer"

That should be a huge red flag to run. All of my college credits transfer to anywhere in the world.

ITT Tech and DeVry have their places and uses, however, as you point out students should understand any potential limitations before embarking on studies at any institution. Even regionally accredited schools can refuse transfer credits from other regionally accredited schools although it tends to be rare.

There are exceptions to every rule except rules which have no exceptions.

99.9% of colleges which someone goes to get a 4 year degree will accept transfers. Big East, Big Ten, SEC, PAC, WAC, I can't think of one place where a credit from a reputable college wouldn't transfer.

Take that money from the places you are asking about and get some vendor training and maybe take a non vendor course, you'll thank me later.

Or you can go online to any of the job sites and email the places hiring and for testing purposes say I am going to get a degree at ITT where would that place me in your eyes as far as being a qualified applicant.

@ba2llb I believe that those are the same, I attended the Vatterott College of Saint Joseph, MO.

I am a little concerned with the transfers, I haven't attended college since 2001 and worry about the statute of limitations on those credits. I also had a few credit hours from a 4 year state college as well, but again quite some time ago.

I had also attended a 2 week MCSE boot camp that the instructor said it carried 42 credit hours that could be transferred to most technical schools. I definitely have a lot of "investigating" to do but getting really excited about this.

Thank you all for the assistance and wisdom.

I am also a Digital Forensics student, so my opinion is certainly not from an expert. I am currently enrolled in the Graduate Program of Digital Forensics at The Univeristy of Central Florida. At UCF they have a considerable presence in the forensics community. The National Center for Forensic Studies is based at UCF. The graduate program is also available as a completely online degree.

I have had nothing but excellent education opportunities while attending UCF. I believe you should definitely look at it as an option.

Just my humble opinion.

Juan Galvan