Forensic Certificate Program

The forensic certificate program is designed to prepare participants for a career in the field of fraud investigation by providing skills and tools to both prevent fraud from occurring and discovering fraud after it has occurred. The program consists of four undergraduate courses and a student can select either an Accounting or  Computer Information Systems (CIS) track. The curriculum encompasses fraud examinations, financial investigations, the psychology of white collar crime, forensic interrogations and evidence management and presentation for civil and criminal trials. A wide variety of teaching tools are employed including case studies, mock investigations, mock trials, guest speakers, and professionals who are experts in their areas.

Admission
Admission to the undergraduate certificate program is open to all College of Business Administration (CBA) majors and to those with who already have a bachelors degree and want to work in the area of fraud investigation. CBA students who want to participate in the certificate program should submit the Forensic Certificate Declaration to the CBA Undergraduate Academic Coordinator in the Deans Office in Sweigart Hall a semester prior to beginning coursework.  Students who are not presently enrolled at Rider University and who possess a bachelors degree should submit a completed Forensic Certificate application to the College of Continuing Studies.

Certificate Course Requirements

The certificate program consists of the following three required courses:

1) Fraud Examination and Business Forensics (ACC 325)*
2) Evidence Management and Presentation (BUS 425)
3) Business Forensics Applications (ACC 430)

And one of the following elective courses:
   
 Forensic Accounting Track: one of the following:
 Accounting Information Systems (ACC 320)   
 Auditing and Corporate Governance (ACC 400)

Computer Forensics Track:
Systems Analysis and Design (CIS 370)

 *prerequisite Introduction to Accounting (ACC 210)

Click here for detailed course descriptions.
Click here for Certificate course schedule (Fall 2008 - Spring 2010).