DeSales University Launches New Micro-Credential Program in High-Demand Digital Forensics

DeSales University has launched a new micro-credential certificate program in Digital Forensics, offering students a focused, hands-on foundation in investigating cybercrimes and analyzing electronic evidence. The program is designed to prepare graduates for the rapidly evolving demands of digital investigation in an era of escalating cybercrime.

The Digital Forensics micro-credential delivers problem-based training that builds progressively in complexity. Students begin by mastering core forensic principles including incident response, encryption, and the imaging and examination of digital evidence, before advancing into specialized network forensics. That advanced coursework covers TCP/IP protocols, log analysis, email tracing, and the collection of evidence from cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform.

"This suite of digital forensics micro-credentials give working professionals and career changers an accessible, flexible way to master high-demand technical skills," said Dr. Michelle Bolger, director of the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Program. "Whether mastering cloud evidence collection or diving into mobile forensics, students gain practical experience that directly translates to the workforce."

Together, the program's components give participants end-to-end technical expertise in tracing, analyzing, and protecting information assets within complex, real-world investigative scenarios.

The new offerings allow learners to build expertise through three distinct digital badges or combine them to earn a comprehensive digital certificate:

• Network and Cloud Forensics (Digital Badge): Explores the fundamentals of networking, TCP/IP, log analysis, and IP/email tracing, while examining how modern cloud platforms provide new sources of evidence in cyber investigations.
• Forensic Acquisition and Analysis (Digital Badge):  Immerses students in the imaging and analysis phases of the digital forensic process, with a focus on key data locations and the practical technical skills used to solve real-world investigative challenges.
• Digital Investigation and Evidence Collection (Digital Badge): Covers preliminary incident response, forensic tool usage, encryption techniques, web-based investigations, and the methods bad actors use to commit crimes through electronic devices.
• Digital Forensics (Digital Certificate): Offers a comprehensive, practical foundation spanning the entire investigative lifecycle, from core evidence imaging and incident response to advanced topics such as mobile device forensics, database mapping, and cross-platform link analysis.

The stackable digital badges give graduates a flexible way to showcase their expertise to employers, offering verifiable, skills-based credentials that complement traditional degree pathways. The micro-credential format lets students and working professionals gain in-demand skills without committing to a full degree program while still receiving university-backed instruction.

"Graduates of the program will develop expertise in a broad range of technical and investigative competencies essential to modern digital forensic investigations," said Scott McCulloch, instructor in the College of Sciences, and director of the Officer David M. Petzold Digital Forensics Laboratory of Lehigh County.” Through this comprehensive training, students will gain the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to investigate cyber incidents, analyze digital evidence, and support cybersecurity and forensic operations across a variety of environments."

The Digital Forensics micro-credential is now open for enrollment. For more information, visit Micro-credentials at DeSales | DeSales University or contact the DeSales University Admissions Department at 610-282-1100 ext. 1277 or admiss@desales.edu.