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B.S. in Cybersecurity: Cybercrime and Fraud Investigation Specialization

Catch Cybercriminals with the Latest Tools
and Technologies

Essential Skills in Computer Forensics

Prepare for Diverse, In-Demand Careers

Industry-Experienced Faculty

Earn Digital Badges

Learn More Today

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  • Duration 2-4 years
  • Cost per Credit $475
  • Credit Hours 120

Program Benefits

  • Detect, protect, and prevent piracy and espionage
  • National Security Agency and Dept. of Homeland Security designated leader in cybersecurity education
  • Transfer up to 75% of credits needed
  • 6 start dates per year

Cybercrime and Fraud Professionals Needed

$1 trillion — that’s what cybercrimes cost businesses worldwide according to a 2020 report conducted by McAfee and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).1

The number of ways fraud and cybercrime can be committed is dizzying: Piracy, espionage, denial-of-service attacks, hacking, identity fraud, dissemination of worms and viruses. These are just a few of the ways cybercriminals inflict harm.

In Utica University’s online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity with the Cybercrime and Fraud Investigation specialization, you’ll gain experience using cryptography, computer forensics, and steganography techniques. You’ll learn to leverage the latest technologies to conduct cybercrime and fraud investigations and bring white-collar criminals to justice.

Utica University is a leader in cybersecurity education, designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency.

Elevate Your Skills with Real-World Simulations

RangeForce logo

Gain crucial cybersecurity experience and become a better cyber defender. Many of Utica University’s cybersecurity courses include RangeForce, an innovative cloud-based training platform that simulates real-world cybersecurity battles. You’ll work to conquer threats, beat hacking simulations, and perfect your approach through gamified activities. These immersive experiences are separated into Learning Paths. As you successfully complete each Learning Path, you’ll earn impressive digital badges that you can share on your résumé and on social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Career Outlook

Companies need cybersecurity professionals who can lead efforts to prevent and detect fraudulent activity, then minimize damage if or when it occurs. According to the 2022 Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey:2

  • 46% of companies reported experiencing fraud or economic crime in the past two years
  • Those companies reported damages from single incidents ranging from $1 million to more than $50 million
  • Emerging security risks may cause greater disruption in the next few years

As cybercrimes and fraud make bigger headlines and people’s personal data is compromised, the pressure for CEOs to be held accountable for a lack of cybersecurity has increased. Of companies with global revenues over $10 billion, more than half experienced fraud in the past two years.2 As a result, organizations are enhancing technical capabilities and implementing stronger internal controls.2 That investment means more opportunities for you.

When you graduate from the cybercrime and fraud investigation specialization, you’ll have hands-on experience. Having worked directly with many of the tools and platforms used in the profession, you’ll stand out from other job applicants and possess the skills to make an immediate impact in your work.

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: FRAUD INVESTIGATOR

$73,240/year

As a fraud investigator, you could work across industries in private companies and government agencies. You would be responsible for knowing the applicable laws to carry out an investigation so evidence can be efficiently gathered and used in a court of law. You would search physical and digital evidence, serve and execute warrants, and conduct surveillance.3

Other titles you may qualify for:

  • Anti-Money Laundering Analyst/Investigator/Compliance Specialist
  • Credit/Debit Card Fraud Investigator
  • Fraud Detection Analyst
  • Internal Fraud Investigator/Auditor
  • Fraud Prevention/Risk Analyst
Jobs and Income

Curriculum: Gain Experience Conducting Investigations

The topics covered in this specialization span the intersection of fraud and cybercrime and include economic crime theory, white-collar criminology, applied cryptography, and fraud prevention and detection technologies.

You’ll gain experience in computer forensics, cryptography, steganography, compliance, security policies, and various aspects of white-collar crime and fraud investigation.

When you complete the Cybercrime and Fraud Investigation specialization, you’ll have the skills to prevent and combat white-collar crime and conduct investigations.

Course Spotlight: CRJ 347 – Fraud Prevention and Detection Technologies

Types of proactive technology programs and tools used to prevent and detect the occurrence of fraud in face-to-face transactions, e-commerce and e-business. Includes development and implementation of business models for production of prevention and detection products and techniques.

Explore Courses

Course Spotlight: CYB 355 – Digital Forensics I

This course explores practical methodologies for digital forensic examinations and intrusion detection. Students will learn how to acquire, authenticate, recover, and analyze forensic data to track user activity. Industry-leading tools are used to perform an in-depth analysis of Windows operating system artifacts providing students with the necessary skills to investigate a multitude of incident types. Prerequisite(s): CYB 205.

More Options for Your Degree

B.S. in Cybersecurity: Cyber Operations

The Cyber Operations specialization provides skills in defensive and offensive tactics, techniques, and procedures. Develop real-world skills using industry-recognized cyber operations tools. Gain advanced instruction on vulnerability assessments, malware analysis, and incident response.

View Program

B.S. in Cybersecurity: Digital Forensics and Incident Response

Pursue your passion for collecting evidence and investigating computer crimes such as fraud, ransomware and data theft with courses that emphasize a comprehensive understanding of the forensic tools and techniques used to investigate and analyze network-related incidents and preserve digital evidence. Computer crime encompasses a wide range of illegal activities that cost corporations revenue and pose a threat to our national security and individuals alike. In this 100% online master’s program, you’ll gain the skills you need for cyber forensics certifications and make an impact in this rapidly growing field.

View Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Advancing your life and career with an online degree comes with lots of questions, and we want to ensure your search for answers is effortless. If you have a question we haven’t covered, call (866) 295-3106 to speak with an enrollment counselor.

You can earn your bachelor’s degree in approximately three years by taking one class every 8 weeks in each 16-week semester. With Program Director permission, you can complete the program in a shorter time frame by taking more credits per semester.

Opportunities abound in this incredible field. There will be 3.5 million unfilled jobs in cybersecurity by 2021 and its projected cybercrime will cost organizations worldwide $6 trillion.

Companies desperately need qualified information security experts. 100,000 new jobs were posted in 2016 alone, and the median pay for entry-level Information Security Analysts was $95,510 in 2017.

Learn more about your career outlook in cybersecurity.

You don’t need a background in cybersecurity or computer science to apply to this program. Learn more about the admission requirements for this program.

This 60–63-credit program (variable based on your specialization and senior project) costs $475 per credit hour. Before including fees and other education costs, your tuition estimate is $28,500–$29,925.

Learn more about tuition for this program.

It’s up to you. We’ve designed our program to fit into the lives of students as they maintain full-time employment. As such, a typical course load is one class every eight weeks in each 16-week semester. This is considered full-time for financial aid purposes.

To begin with, you’ll take classes that give you a solid foundation of cybersecurity and computer science knowledge and skills. You will also focus your coursework through one of three specializations:

  • Network Forensics and Intrusion Investigation
  • Cybercrime and Fraud Investigation
  • Cyber Operations

Learn more about how our cybersecurity curriculum prepares you to guard private information, identify network weaknesses, and defend against threats from hackers, malware, and other cyberthreats.

Sources

  1. McAfee (2020, December 9). The Hidden Costs of Cybercrime. Retrieved on February 17, 2023, from https://www.mcafee.com/enterprise/en-us/assets/reports/rp-hidden-costs-of-cybercrime.pdf.
  2. PricewaterhouseCoopers (2022). Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey 2022. Retrieved on February 17, 2023, from https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/forensics/economic-crime-survey.html.
  3. O*Net Online (2021). “Summary Report for: 13-2099.04 – Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts.” Retrieved on February 17, 2023, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2099.04.