Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
NOTE: This site is an archive of 2011–2012 programs and policies at Boston University Metropolitan College. If you are looking for current information about Metropolitan College and its programs, please go to our official website: www.bu.edu/met.
Charles River Campus, Boston
The Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program is designed for those who wish to enter or advance in criminal justice careers, especially those considering advanced studies or administration and research in the area of criminal justice.
The program combines a foundation in the liberal arts with disciplinary and interdisciplinary concentrations in fields related to criminal justice. Through courses on the history, philosophy, politics, and social consequences of the American criminal justice system, students gain an interdisciplinary understanding of crime problems and criminal justice policy and administration.
The program accommodates students on both a part- and a full-time basis. The 40 credits required for the degree must be earned within five years.
Admissions Information
Candidates for admission to the degree program are selected on the basis of transcripts of academic experience, academic and personal references, and interviews or statements of intent.
There are no fixed application deadlines. The program allows for students to submit applications on a rolling basis. Admission decisions are announced promptly, pending receipt of all application materials. Students can also register and take two courses prior to applying to the degree program.
The Application for Graduate Admission can be found on the Metropolitan College website at www.bu.edu/met/admissions.
Degree Requirements
A total of ten courses (40 credits)* is required, as follows:
Required Core Courses (six courses/24 credits)
- MET CJ 602 Criminology
- MET CJ 625 Victimology
- MET CJ 632 White Collar Crime
- MET CJ 701 Crime and Punishment: A Conceptual and Ethical Inquiry
- MET CJ 702 Analytical Methods
- MET CJ 703 Research Methods
*For students accepted into the program prior to fall 2009, only nine courses are required.
Concentration Electives (four courses/16 credits)
With the advice of the department chair, students will select four courses from the following list. Other graduate-level courses may be selected upon approval of the department chair.
- MET CJ 601 History of Criminal Justice
- MET CJ 610 Selected Topics in Criminal Justice
- MET CJ 631 Youth Crime Problems
- MET CJ 650 Terrorism
- MET CJ 656 Forensic Criminal Investigation
- MET CJ 660 Gender and Justice
- MET CJ 725 Forensic Behavioral Analysis
- MET CJ 750 Police in the Multicultural Society
- MET CJ 775 Seminar in the Law and Criminal Procedure
- MET CJ 831 Criminal Justice Administration
- MET UA 507 Law and Justice in the City
- MET UA 801 Graduate Directed Study in Urban Affairs/City Planning: Internship for Credit
- MET UA 804 Supervised Fieldwork
Other Requirements
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination is required of all degree candidates.
Additional Information
A maximum of two graduate courses (8 credits) in criminal justice may be transferred from another accredited institution for credit toward the degree. No credit is allowed for courses used to fulfill another degree, and all transfer credit requires program approval. Up to three courses taken at Boston University outside the Criminal Justice program may be applied to the degree, with prior approval of the program director.
A maximum of two criminal justice courses (8 credits) taken at Metropolitan College prior to acceptance into the degree program may be applied toward the degree. The courses must be graduate-level, with a grade of B (3.0) or higher.
Minimum passing grade for a course in the graduate program is C, but a grade average of B (3.0) must be maintained to satisfy degree requirements.
Contact
For further information, contact Professor Daniel P. LeClair, Department of Applied Social Sciences, 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-3025; email: dleclair@bu.edu; www.bu.edu/met/programs.
Online
The online Master of Criminal Justice program is specifically for the working criminal justice professional. It is designed to advance careers, to further criminology studies, and to provide the ability to teach in the area of criminal justice. The program teaches the skills and knowledge to effectively work in today’s dynamic and complex criminal justice environment.
Courses cover the history, philosophy, politics, and social consequences of the American criminal justice system.
A total of ten courses (40 credits)* is required, as follows:
- MET CJ 602 Criminology
- MET CJ 625 Victimology
- MET CJ 631 Youth Crime Problems
- MET CJ 632 White Collar Crime
- MET CJ 650 Terrorism
- MET CJ 701 Crime and Punishment: A Conceptual and Ethical Inquiry
- MET CJ 702 Analytical Methods
- MET CJ 703 Research Methods
- MET CJ 725 Forensic Behavioral Analysis
- MET CJ 831 Criminal Justice Administration
*For students accepted into the program prior to fall 2008, only nine courses are required.
Contact Information
For program details and application information, visit www.bu.edu/online.
