I was just curious as to a good way to get into computer forensic science. Currently I am in college for a computer science degree and I also plan to minor in criminal justice. There is a school that I was considering that has a computer forensic science degree in Oklahoma. Could anyone possibly point me into the right direction if I am not. Thanks
Hi There
well you are going down the right route for now. Some work experience would be good with your local justice department/enforecement authorities would also be good to show you how investigations work on a day to day basis. A lilely step if you can afford it, or for later down the road is to get certified on something like EnCase sofwtare or similar. As with anyone trying to get a start you are in that can't get a job with no experience, can't get the experience. I would ring around the specialist companies and law enforcers and ask them for work experience and apply for graduate jobs. There also may be some individual investigators that may could use you as a techncian, that would be a good start - hope this helps.
There are some good tech. schools in Oklahoma focusing on computer forensics. Make sure you research them before you commit. Visit their facilities, labs, etc. Learn what hands-on work you will be doing, what certifications you will earn, and if they offer job-placement / internship assistance. Most companies prefer law-enforcement experience because of the unique training officers receive.
I am currently working / living in Oklahoma so I can hopefully offer some good advice.
Good luck!
OSUPDCCI, I really appreciate the adivce. One of the classes that I am in this semester is criminology and I got to talking to my proffessor one day after a test and he had suggested Redlands Comm. College in El Reno, Oklahoma just 25 miles west of Oklahoma City. He talked pretty highly of the school and also metioned that he had connections with the school if I needed anyone to talk to. He had also metioned that the schooling will offer an associates degree (but I wont be worried about that after my bachelors) and the ability to take one of the certification test that is highly sought after. The degree was called computer forensic science and I went to the school website to looked up the info and found about a paragraph of information. I then contacted the school to have them send some info about a week ago and have yet to recieve anything. If you or anyone has any information on this school or the particular degree and certifications that would be great. I have plenty of time, I still have two and a half years till my bachelors.
Does anyone have any information on Redland Community College in El Reno Oklahoma and if there are any other schools that teach computer forensic science that someone would suggest.
I drove down to El Reno, Oklahoma the other day ( I was in Oklahoma City and El Reno is only 25 miles west) and checked out Redlands Comm. College. It seemed like a decent school, but I would like to find out about some other schools that someone would suggest about computer forensics.
I have also been researching that the certification exam is five months. Can anyone fill me in on the truthfullness of this statement.
I graduated from Redlands in May 2002 with AAS in Computer Forensics. When I left they were just getting on the ball with labs and funding. Lets just say when I was there the networking class consisted of on tower server, 3 computers, Win NT, Win 2000, Novel 5, Red Hat, and so on. They are better equiped now. There are several powerful companies and agencies looking for their graduates.