Program Format

Upon admission, students meet with their academic advisor to outline their specific course of study. Five pre-requisite courses (3 credits each) may be required for students who lack the appropriate foundation to begin the Master's program. These pre-requisite courses are usually determined during the admissions process and are taken during the first two semesters.

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Prerequisite Courses (0 to 15 credits, one to five courses)

FORS 115 Introduction to Criminal Investigations
FORS 116 Introduction to Criminal Law
FORS 117 Introduction to Organizational Systems for Security Professionals
FORS 118 Introduction to Computer Systems for Security Professionals
FORS 119 Introduction to Network Systems for Security Professionals

Master's Program (36 credits, 12 courses)

FORS 261 Security Management
FORS 262 Risk Analysis and Loss Prevention
FORS 273 Research Methods for the Security Professional
FORS 264 Protection of Information Systems

FORS 259 Computer-Related Law
FORS 265 Ethics and Leadership
FORS 277 Computer Forensic I - Investigation and Evidence Gathering
FORS 279 Intrusion I - Understanding and Identifying Network-Based Attacks
FORS 285 Capstone Seminar: High Technology Crime Investigations

FORS 260 Security Case Law
FORS 263 Issues in Crisis and Disaster Management
FORS 267 Organizational Behavior for Security Professionals
FORS 268 Industrial Espionage and Corporate Privacy Issues
FORS 269 Corporate Fraud
FORS 270 Security Contracting with Federal and State Entities
FORS 271 Forensic Psychology
FORS 274 Video Forensic Analysis
FORS 278 Computer Forensics II - Evidence and Analysis
FORS 280 Intrusion II - Investigating Network-based Attacks
FORS 281 Forensic Accounting
FORS 282 Telecommunication Systems for Security Professionals
FORS 283 Steganography and Electronic Watermarking
FORS 286 Personnel Security
FORS 290 Selected Topics: Current Issues in High Technology Crime Investigation
FORS 295 Research
FORS 298 Practicum

Degree Requirements

In order to qualify for the Master's degree, students must first be admitted by the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Twelve graduate courses (36 credit hours) are required for completion of the MFS degree (excluding pre-requisite courses). Each degree candidate must prepare an approved program of studies in consultation with a faculty advisor. Degree candidates must enroll in at least four courses during the calendar year, comprised of the fall, spring and summer semester, maintain minimum cumulative grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), and pass a written Master's Comprehensive Examination after completion of at least 30 credit hours.