MS in Criminal Justice
Offered on campus or online, the Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) program is designed for those who want to enter or advance in the field of criminal justice, or who seek a deeper understanding of crime and justice for application in related fields. MSCJ graduates are theory-informed, analytically skilled, ethically grounded professionals capable of designing, evaluating, and implementing evidence-informed responses to complex public safety challenges. Students in the MSCJ program have the option of deepening their knowledge and skills through one or more concentrations in Crime Analysis, Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity, or Strategic Management.
This program requires an average of 8–16 months to complete. Students may begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer term.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply and critically evaluate criminological theory and criminal justice frameworks to analyze contemporary crime problems and assess their implications for policy, practice, and reform.
- Design, conduct, and interpret quantitative and qualitative research and program evaluations to inform evidence-based decisions.
- Analyze ethical, legal, and governance dimensions of justice systems and develop strategies that promote accountable, legitimate, and equitable practice.
- Integrate scholarly research and applied data to produce clear, actionable recommendations for professional and policy audiences.
Admissions Information
For current admissions information, please visit the Metropolitan College website.
Degree Requirements
A total of eight courses (32 units) is required, as follows:
Core Courses (four courses/16 units)
- MET CJ 570 Criminology and Crime Policy
- MET CJ 571 Criminal Justice Administration and Ethics
- MET CJ 590 Research and Evaluation Methods
- MET CJ 591 Applied Analytical Methods
General Electives (four courses/16 units)
With the advice of the department chair, students who are not choosing a concentration will select four courses from the following list.
- MET CJ 511 Rehabilitation and Re-Integration
- MET CJ 512 Sexual Violence
- MET CJ 531 Youth, Crime, and Justice
- MET CJ 610 Cybercriminology
- MET CJ 612 Crime and Intelligence Analysis
- MET CJ 620 Cyberterrorism and Cyber Defense
- MET CJ 632 Financial Crimes in the Digital Age
- MET CJ 640 Performance Management Analytics
- MET CJ 650 Terrorism
- MET CJ 660 Gender and Justice
- MET CJ 705 Threat Assessment
- MET CJ 710 Cybercrime Investigation
- MET CJ 711 Planning and Implementation
- MET CJ 720 Trauma and Crisis Intervention
- MET CJ 725 Forensic Behavior Analysis
- MET CJ 750 Policing in a Democratic Society
- MET CJ 801 Special Project in Criminal Justice
With advisor approval, students may choose to take courses outside of the general electives list.
Concentrations
Crime Analysis
The MSCJ concentration in Crime Analysis provides students with specialized coursework that teaches cutting-edge skills to analyze data that informs the investigations, strategies, and policy decisions of criminal justice organizations. This set of skills is crucial to a growing field within public safety and related domains in criminal justice, community-based organizations, and private firms. Data-informed approaches to crime have become the standard among contemporary criminal justice organizations. The concentration prepares students to fill in-house crime analyst or similar positions and strengthens the skills of students working in investigations, management, and operations to utilize analysis more effectively.
Learning Outcomes
- Acquire, clean, integrate, and manage complex public safety datasets (e.g., incident, calls-for-service) for analytical use.
- Apply statistical, spatial, and predictive analytical techniques—including mapping, GIS, and emerging data science tools—to identify crime patterns, trends, risk factors, and actionable insights.
- Produce professional analytical products (e.g., intelligence bulletins, tactical briefings, dashboards, and executive reports) that directly inform investigations, deployment strategies, and policy decisions.
- Evaluate and apply ethical, legal, and governance standards in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of crime and intelligence data within democratic public safety systems.
Concentration Requirements
In addition to the MS in Criminal Justice core curriculum (16 units), students pursuing a concentration in Crime Analysis must also take the following concentration requirements and electives:
(four courses/16 units)
- MET CJ 612 Crime and Intelligence Analysis
- MET UA 598 Foundations of GIS and Spatial Analysis
- One course selected from the following list:
- MET CJ 620 Cyberterrorism and Cyber Defense
- MET CJ 640 Performance Management Analytics
- MET CJ 705 Threat Assessment
- MET CJ 840 Applied Crime Analysis Project
- MET CS 521 Information Structures with Python
- MET CS 555 Foundations of Machine Learning
- MET CS 577 Data Science with Python
- MET CS 699 Data Mining
- MET UA 642 Geospatial Intelligence
- One course selected from the list of general electives
Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity
The MSCJ concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity provides students with applied knowledge and practical competencies for addressing cybercrime and digital evidence issues within criminal justice and investigative contexts. The concentration emphasizes cybercriminology, digital investigative procedures, legal standards governing digital evidence, and policy considerations related to cybercrime prevention and response. Students develop practical and foundational knowledge of cybercrime investigation and cybersecurity practices that support professional roles in investigative and security environments.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply criminological and investigative principles to cybercrime cases by examining offender behavior, assessing investigative and jurisdictional challenges, and addressing the legal admissibility of digital evidence.
- Apply digital forensic methods and industry standard tools to support cybercrime investigations and analyze digital evidence with professional-level competency.
- Identify cybercrime and cybersecurity threats and evaluate appropriate responses through technological controls, investigative practices, policy considerations, and education or awareness strategies.
Concentration Requirements
In addition to the MS in Criminal Justice core curriculum (16 units), students pursuing a concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity must also take the following concentration requirements and electives:
(four courses/16 units)
- MET CJ 610 Cybercriminology
- MET CJ 710 Cybercrime Investigation
- Two courses selected from the following list:
- MET CJ 620 Cyberterrorism and Cyber Defense
- MET CJ 632 Financial Crimes in the Digital Age
- MET CS 684 Enterprise Cybersecurity Management
- MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations
- MET CS 694 Mobile Forensics and Security
Strategic Management
The MSCJ concentration in Strategic Management offers a specialized curriculum designed to provide the skills needed to face contemporary criminal justice challenges and lead reforms. Effective leadership in the increasingly complex field of criminal justice requires a strong footing in ethics, organizations, analysis, management, and implementation. The Strategic Management concentration develops valuable skills that enhance the ability to analyze diverse problems and develop sound, sustainable policies, programs, or other initiatives that are guided by logic and planning—making it the ideal program of study for experienced, mid-career criminal justice professionals who seek to advance into policymaking, upper-management, or executive-level positions in their agencies.
Learning Outcomes
- Lead organizational change in criminal justice agencies by applying contemporary theories of organizations, ethics, and strategic planning to real-world initiatives.
- Design and implement evidence-based policies, programs, and operational strategies that align mission, resources, stakeholder expectations, and measurable outcomes.
- Use performance analytics and evaluation tools to drive decision-making, monitor implementation, and improve accountability within justice organizations.
- Integrate strategic thinking across complex justice environments, balancing legal constraints, political realities, community expectations, and organizational capacity.
Concentration Requirements
In addition to the MS in Criminal Justice core curriculum (16 units), students pursuing a concentration in Strategic Management must also take the following concentration requirements and electives:
(four courses/16 units)
- MET CJ 640 Performance Management Analytics
- MET CJ 711 Planning and Implementation
- Two courses selected from the following list:
- MET CJ 511 Rehabilitation and Re-Integration
- MET CJ 512 Sexual Violence
- MET CJ 531 Youth, Crime, and Justice
- MET CJ 610 Cybercriminology
- MET CJ 612 Crime and Intelligence Analysis
- MET CJ 620 Cyberterrorism and Cyber Defense
- MET CJ 632 Financial Crimes in the Digital Age
- MET CJ 650 Terrorism
- MET CJ 660 Gender and Justice
- MET CJ 705 Threat Assessment
- MET CJ 710 Cybercrime Investigation
- MET CJ 720 Trauma and Crisis Intervention
- MET CJ 725 Forensic Behavior Analysis
- MET CJ 750 Policing in a Democratic Society
- MET CJ 801 Special Project in Criminal Justice
- MET AD 612 Public Emergency Management
Master's Thesis Option (two courses/8 units)
Students have the option to complete a master’s thesis by taking two master’s thesis courses (8 units) in addition to the program’s eight-course (32-unit) requirement. The thesis must be completed within 12 months and is available to degree candidates who have completed at least four courses toward their degree and have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher. Students are responsible for finding a thesis advisor and principal readers within the department. The advisor must be a full-time faculty member; the principal reader may be part-time faculty. Department approval is required.
- MET CJ 810 Master’s Thesis I
- MET CJ 811 Master’s Thesis II
