College Minors and Majors that would establish a foundation?

You can get degrees or certifications, but before I would recomend you to study some books, like Brian Carrier's 'File system forensic analysis' , or the 'Syngress the oficial CHFI study guide' by Dave Kleiman…… Both pdf are available on internet, and for me was the perfect place to start (specially Brian Carrier's book),

cheers

Generally, a good foundation in computer science would be a good idea.

I don't know if you have selected an online degree program yet, but I did my BS degree through Grantham University, and they are very military/ex-military and law enforcement friendly. They have a really nice BS in Information Security which has a good mix of pure computer science, information security, and digital forensics. I think that based on what you have posted, something simliar to this might be a good option.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your studies.

Champlain College in VT has both an online program (Computer Forensics & Digital Investigations) AND a campus program (Computer & Digital Forensics.) I am a student on campus now and the program is amazing. They also have a "Yellow Ribbon Program" for miltary vets.

http//www.champlain.edu/Yellow-Ribbon-Program.html
http//online.champlain.edu/computer-forensics-digital-investigation/bachelors-degree

Outstanding! Thank you ALL, for replying! The information I've received from all of you, may very well be the exact information I needed to get my foot into school! Im very excited to get started and i beleive that the combination of all the answers i have now will get me off to a good start! Thanks again and please feel free to comeback and talk more on this subject. I know i cant be the only one in these shoes and so there must be lots more! THANKS AGAIN! Your buddy, jerry 😉

Hey all, I had another question. I started doing some more in depth research on my schools around here after receiving all of this awesome information from all of you and found out that Arkansas Tech University offers these courses.

http//www.atu.edu/cis/undergraduate.shtml

Are any of these going to benefit me for wanting to get into Computer Forensics? Im guessing that if they do, then I may be able to take some of the transferable classes at a local community college and then transfer for the rest? THANKS AGAIN!! I am SO PUMPED ABOUT STARTING!!!
lol D

Hey all, I had another question. I started doing some more in depth research on my schools around here after receiving all of this awesome information from all of you and found out that Arkansas Tech University offers these courses.

http//www.atu.edu/cis/undergraduate.shtml

Are any of these going to benefit me for wanting to get into Computer Forensics? Im guessing that if they do, then I may be able to take some of the transferable classes at a local community college and then transfer for the rest? THANKS AGAIN!! I am SO PUMPED ABOUT STARTING!!!
lol D

In my experience, computer forensics has three parts criminal justice/law side, information security, and forensic knowledge. I have also found that a lot of forensic agencies are looking for people with programming and scripting capabailities, so the Computer Science program would be beneficial. As would any type of security class you can get your hands on. It all helps for background knowledge. Although, you would need actual computer forensic classes which will introduce you to the tools of the trade as well as the techniques.

Are you aware how flooded the entry level of the CF job market is right now? If you got a TS clearance in the marines, you may have a chance, but otherwise…

No, I wasnt aware of how flooded it was. I dont have nor did I have then a TSC but, I do know that I can get it if needed? That kind of news is definatley a bummer and discouraging -( Thanks for the heads up

Are you aware how flooded the entry level of the CF job market is right now? If you got a TS clearance in the marines, you may have a chance, but otherwise…

Sorry to have to say it, but I must back up Patrick. I am also a vet and still a reservist. I currently do forensics full time in LE. CF is the current BIG marketing word at schools to get you to enroll. Many of the people I see afterward with degrees in CF get few jobs.

I suggest you take a wider view to your education - don't pigeon hole yourself into something. For instance, no CF education is required to be forensics in most of the Fed gov. See their postings(usajobs.com), only need a 4 yr degree with at least 20 credits in Math/Science. For most police departments, you have to be a cop first, then get detailed to forensics. Civilian forensics - need experience, unless you get one of the few entry level jobs.

Best option for you - get degree in CompSci (BS), have at least 20 cred in math/science. Take some CF courses as part of degree, maybe minor. Get a job in IT somewhere - get to work in the IT field somehow. You need to be familiar with what happens on computers to be a good forensicator.

Then apply to all the US Federal agencies and make sure to mark your Vet status. It gives you a leg up.

Maybe get a certification- Access Data ACE cert is free, their program FTK v1.85 is free to download and use for testing (it's limited in size of evidence used, but full functional). You can get that cert with no money output. Granted, it is not prestigious - but it was free and it will get your feet wet.

One thing, you don't apply to any federal job when you NEED a job. You apply to fed jobs when you have a job but you want to work for the gov. Why…because it takes a year (oftentimes) for paperwork to flow through the system. If you dont get selected, try to find out if you passed all the qualifications - if not. Fix it, take another math class, whatever. Then apply again as many times as needed. Remember, you should already be working in IT industry while applying.

I helped a Champlain grad (who owned his own CF consulting firm for years) to get into the gov. It took him around 6 tries….

Keep trying.