The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice degree provides students with general knowledge in the methods and theories of social science and specialized preparation in the study of criminal activity, policing, criminal court procedures, corrections, and social policy related to crime control. The program is designed for working students and it may be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Distribution Requirements (total 48 credits)

• English: Two courses: MET EN 104 and EN 201.
• Mathematics: MET MA 113 or MET MA 213.
• Computer Science: MET CS 101 Computers and Their Applications.
• Natural Science: Two natural science courses, selected from natural science offerings designated by the letter “N.”
• Literature: Any 100- or 200-level MET EN literature course or MET HU 221.
• Philosophy: MET PH 150 or a similar philosophy course dealing with ethics.
• History: One course.
• Additional: Three courses: one from distribution course offerings in the humanities (H); two courses chosen
• from humanities (H) or the natural sciences (N).

Specialization/Major Core (total 52 credits)

Thirteen courses completed with a grade of C or higher.

Professional Core Courses:

• MET CJ 101 Principles of Criminal Justice
• MET CJ 251 Police and Society
• MET CJ 271 Corrections: Concepts, Systems, and Issues
• MET CJ 351 Criminal Law
• MET CJ 352 Courts, Society, and Criminal Procedure
• MET SO 201 Sociological Methods (offered only in alternate years)

Professional Elective Courses:

Choose seven from the following (at least four of these courses must be at the 300 level or higher).

• MET CJ 380 Business Intelligence and Industrial Security
• MET CJ 510 Special Topics in Criminal justice
• MET CJ 540 Computer Applications in Criminal Justice
• MET PS 241 Developmental Psychology
• MET PS 251 Psychology of Personality
• MET PS 261 Social Psychology
• MET SO 204 Contemporary Social Problems
• MET SO 207 Sociology of Minority Groups
• MET SO 209 Crime and Delinquency
• MET SO 305 Violence and the Family
• MET SO 308 Individual and Society
• MET SO 335 Technology, Environment, and Society
• MET SO 344 Drugs and Society
• MET SO 510 Rehabilitation and Reintegration
• MET UA 301 Introduction to Urban and Public Affairs

Additional courses may be chosen with academic counselor’s approval.

Related Courses (total 12 credits)

Three courses from any department, with at least one at the 300 level or higher, selected with the advice and approval of the Criminal Justice Advisor, to supplement the curriculum to allow students to develop further specialization in such areas as computer sciences, foreign languages, psychology, sociology, and other closely related areas.

Electives (total 16 credits)

Usually four courses (16 credits), but possibly more depending on transfer credits, chosen with the advice of an academic counselor.

Contact Information

For further information, contact Undergraduate Student Services, 755 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 102, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-2980; email: metuss@bu.edu.

The criminal justice system is comprised of three major components—law enforcement, the judiciary, and corrections. The Undergraduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Certificate provides a comprehensive and in-depth study of these components, beginning with introductory principles of criminal justice, and then laying the foundation for deeper study into the critical areas of the justice system—police, courts, and prisons.
The certificate integrates scholarship about criminal justice within a student’s existing program of study at Boston University, or may serve as a stand-alone credential for non-degree students enrolled in Metropolitan College. For those who want to enhance their educational experience, improve their employment prospects, or prepare for post–baccalaureate study, the certificate lays a foundation in the discipline of criminal justice that could serve as preparation for graduate study or to enhance professional development.

Required Courses (Four courses/16 credits)

• MET CJ 101 Principles of Criminal Justice
• MET CJ 251 Police and Society
• MET CJ 271 Corrections: Concepts, Systems, and Issues
• MET CJ 352 Courts, Society, and Criminal Procedure

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. Degree candidates study a required core of courses in the history, philosophy, politics, and social consequences of the American criminal justice system.

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 (five courses/20 credits)

• 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

A total of five courses (20 credits) is required. With the advice of the department chair, students will select these 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 602 Criminology
• 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 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 of 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 Information

For further information, contact Professor Daniel P. LeClair, Boston University Metropolitan College, 808 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-3025; email: dleclair@bu.edu; www.bu.edu/met/programs.

The online Master of Criminal Justice 
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 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.