Program at a Glance
- On Campus
- Part-Time Study
- 16 Credits
- 8–12 Months to Completion
- 17 Core Faculty
- No GRE/GMAT
- Tuition & Fees—Part-Time Study*: $14,020
*Based on 2024–2025 Boston University tuition and fees.
Hone Your Skills in Networking & Data Communication
Available on campus, the Graduate Certificate in Computer Networks at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) offers a broad foundation in information technology, along with an in-depth exploration of computer data communication and modern networking. In this program, you will undertake a comprehensive examination of network design and implementation, network performance analysis and management, network security, and the latest networking technology. The program is designed to empower you with extensive knowledge and hands-on experience, in order to analyze, design, procure, manage, and implement cutting-edge computer networking solutions and technologies.
#8, Best Online Master's in Computer Information Technology Programs
MET’s online master’s degrees in computer information technology are ranked #8 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 2024.
Learn More
Computer Science Career Outlook
Top computer science careers in data science, software development, and other popular areas of IT.
Learn moreWhy BU Should Be Your Top Choice for Computer Science Graduate Study
- Recognized & Certified: Boston University is recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense and Research. BU MET’s information security programs are certified by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS).
- Active Learning Environment: BU MET’s computer networks courses ensure you get the attention you need, while introducing case studies and real-world projects that emphasize technical and theoretical knowledge—combining in-depth, practical experience with the critical skills needed to remain on the forefront of the information technology field. In addition, BU’s Center for Reliable Information Systems and Cyber Security (RISCS) offers opportunities to collaborate and participate in research on system reliability and information security.
- Engaged Faculty: In BU MET’s computer science graduate programs, you benefit from working closely with highly qualified faculty and seasoned industry leaders in a wide range of technology fields who are committed to teaching the latest technologies within the framework of ideas, concepts, and methods that drive innovation.
- Extensive Network: Study alongside peers and professionals with solid IT experience, learn from faculty who have valuable contacts across several sectors, and benefit from an alumni community with strong professional connections.
- Student Support: Enjoy an exceptional student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring close interaction with faculty mentors and access to support.
- Valuable Resources: Make use of Boston University’s extensive resources, including the Center for Career Development, Educational Resource Center, Fitness & Recreation Center, IT Help Centers, Mugar Memorial Library, Center for Antiracist Research, Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, George Sherman Union, Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering, and many others.
- Flexible Evening Study: Study at the pace that works for you, evenings on campus. Courses begin fall, spring, and summer.
- Track Record: Learn from the best—BU MET’s Department of Computer Science was established in 1979 and is the longest-running computer science department at BU. Over its four decades, the department has played an important role in the emergence of IT at the University and throughout the region.
Prepare for the Future of Technology with BU MET
The four-course Computer Networks graduate certificate is part of BU MET’s portfolio of computer science and IT graduate programs. For over forty years, the Department of Computer Science at Metropolitan College has prepared students to tackle contemporary challenges in the field. Our programs are uniquely flexible—we offer courses evenings on campus, fully online, or in a blended format that combines online study with occasional campus visits—so you can balance graduate school with your career, family, and other obligations. We take pride in providing training in critical specialization areas and emphasizing practical, insightful, and adaptable knowledge that can be immediately applied on the job while informing your career growth for years to come. We also offer extensive advising to help you identify the subjects you’ll need to achieve your career goals.
Our degree programs are certified by the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS)—the MS in Computer Information Systems has additional accreditation from the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Boston University is designated a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense and Research by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.
Gain Expertise in Computer Networking
Metropolitan College’s Graduate Certificate in Computer Networks will equip you with:
- Advanced knowledge of data communication networks and protocols along with the ability to identify issues involved in multi-access media and devices as applied to wired and wireless networks; the ability to identify key areas for performance analysis and debugging of networks; and techniques for network management in small- to large-scale networks.
- Proficiency in data communication protocols and networks, including such areas as: flow control, distributed synchronization, error detection and correction, and routing techniques, and where to implement them.
- Competence sufficient to design, specify, and develop data transfer protocols for specific purposes; design, specify, plan, and define networks of any size; and analyze, evaluate, and select networking devices applicable to the network area that they are being implemented in, whether LAN, MAN, WAN, or wireless.
Certificate-to-Degree Pathway
You can earn the master’s in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Computer Networks by completing the Graduate Certificate in Computer Networks and the Graduate Certificate in Information Technology, plus three additional courses: Introduction to Probability and Statistics (MET CS 546), Enterprise Cyber Security (MET CS 695), and either Information Structures with Java (MET CS 520) or Information Structures with Python (MET CS 521). Students currently enrolled in a graduate certificate who are interested in transitioning into a master’s degree should contact their academic advisor to declare their interest in this pathway. A new master’s degree application is not required. Connect with a graduate admissions advisor at csadmissions@bu.edu to learn more about this option.
Computer Networks Graduate Certificate Curriculum
(Four courses/16 credits)
MET CS 535 Computer Networks
MET CS 635 Network Media Technologies
MET CS 690 Network Security
MET CS 685 Network Design and Management
MET CS 775 Advanced Networking
Computer Science Faculty
View All Faculty
Tuition & Financial Assistance
Competitive Tuition
Our part-time rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education.Comprehensive Financial Assistance
Our services include scholarships, graduate loans, and payment plans.How Much Does This Program Cost?
Tuition, fees, and total program cost are determined by enrollment status. Course enrollment in this certificate program is 1–2 courses (4–8 credits) in a semester, and tuition is charged the part-time per-credit rate.
Computer Networks Graduate Certificate (On Campus)
| Enrollment Status | Part Time |
| Courses per Semester | 2 courses (8 credits) |
| Time to Degree | 2 semesters (8 months) |
| Tuition* | $550-$975 per credit** |
| Fees per Semester* | $60 |
| Total Degree Cost* | $14,020 |
*Based on 2024-2025 Boston University tuition & fee rates.
**Cost per credit is determined by course number (100–599 = $550/credit, 600–999 = $975/credit).
Questions? Please contact us to hear from an Admissions Advisor who can help you determine the best enrollment pathway. For information regarding financial aid, visit BU MET’s Financial Aid page.
Get Started
Please visit the BU MET admissions page for details on how to apply, financial assistance, tuition and fees, requirements for international students, and more.
What to Read Next: MET Computer Science & IT Knowledge Center
- How Long Does a Master’s in Computer Science Take to Complete—and What is the Cost?
- Why Get a Master’s Degree in Computer Science at BU MET?
- What Do My Career Options Look Like with a Master’s in Computer Science from BU’s Metropolitan College?
- Are There Different Computer Science Graduate Programs or Specializations at BU?
