The state of California has a diverse economy consisting of information technology, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and the education sector.
Featured Programs and Schools
If you are interested in joining the field of computer forensics then the good news is that in addition to traditional programs, online programs in this field are offered as well. You need to make sure that whatever institute you enroll in, it is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). Only an accredited program is considered valuable by the employers.An associate’s degree in Computer Forensics usually takes two years for completion. It takes four years for the bachelor’s program and another two years to gain the master’s level degree in computer forensics. Computer forensics education offers an in depth study of electronic communication laws, password cracking methods, computer forensic crimes, computer forensics investigation, cryptography, governmental procedures regarding cybercrime and various tools designed especially for computer forensics purposes.
Top Computer Forensics Schools in CaliforniaFor students seeking advanced level education in the area of computer forensics, there are several Computer Forensics schools in California offering non-degree and degree-based programs in the field. Accredited California Computer Forensics schools include:
California State University
California State University in Fullerton offers a highly regarded Computer Forensics I certificate. The program lasts for 8-10 months and is offered online. It gives students hands-on experience in the usage of EnCase and Forensic Toolkit, which are the industry standard in computer forensic technology and in the usage of performing forensic exams of computer systems. The certificate program has five online courses, which adds up to 92 hours of lecture and hands-on experience.
American Intercontinental University
The American Intercontinental University offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) degree with a specialization in Digital Investigations, designed for aspiring forensic scientists. The degree enables students to develop essential IT skills with a special focus on digital laws and cyber security systems. The 180-credit hour program is designed to give students industry-relevant knowledge required to conduct investigations as a digital-crime professional.
Walden University
Walden University offers a comprehensive Bachelor in Information Technology program with a specialization in Cyber Security and Forensics. The degree will help students examine security and privacy issues in real-world cases and decrease the risk of security breaches for organizations using appropriate techniques. Students will study ways to structure computer security systems and practices in line with the needs of the organization.
Computer Forensics Salary and Job Growth
With a degree in computer forensics, you can start to work as an Information Security Analyst. The salaries and job projections figures paint a very good picture for these professionals in California.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, earned a mean annual salary of $107,580 in the US in 2020, while their annual mean salary in California was $125,990. Below is a list of the 5 highest paying states for Information Security Analysts in the US in 2020.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
According to the data provided by O*Net online, Information Security Analysts employed in California will experience a 33% job growth between 2018 and 2028, against the national average of 33% as well.