Qualify for Crime Analysis Jobs with a Master’s in Criminal Justice
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice concentration in Crime Analysis at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) develops your expertise in using and analyzing a variety of data sources to inform the investigations, strategies, and policy decisions of criminal justice organizations. This set of skills is crucial to a growing field within law enforcement and related domains in criminal justice, since policework is not just knocking on doors and interviewing witnesses anymore. The proliferation of data generated by surveillance cameras, body cams, GPS, mobile devices, social media, email and text exchanges, wearable tech, sensors, and other sources has enhanced the potential to map hotspots, discern patterns and trends, gather evidence, solve crimes, and demonstrate results. Having the skills to analyze this data is critical for tactical, operational, and strategic efforts in law enforcement, and essential to research and policy development and reform.
*Based on 2024–2025 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Advance Your Criminal Justice Career
The Crime Analysis concentration of BU MET’s MS in Criminal Justice prepares you to fill in-house crime analyst roles or similar positions, while strengthening the overall skillset of individuals who are involved in investigations, management, and operations.
What Is My Career Outlook as a Graduate of This Program?
1,039,708
Total number of US Jobs
137,466
Annual job openings
+4%
Annual job openings
3%
Projected ten-year growth in jobs
(faster than average)
$79.2K
Median annual salary
Common job titles include:
Crime/Intelligence Analyst
Cybersecurity Investigator
Special Agent
Criminal Investigator
Policy Coordinator
Detective
Employers seek expertise in:
Data analysis
Performance management
Investigation
Digital forensics
Source: Lightcast, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
“As someone who had no experience in the criminal justice field going into this program, I left it feeling very prepared and it definitely paid off. I have been told in several job interviews that my resume is impressive, and that is largely thanks to having Boston University on there. The name carries weight and gives you an edge over other candidates. On top of that, the skills and knowledge you gain really do prepare you for a job in the field.” Read more.
Bella Zak (MET'22)
Contractor, Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Chicago, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives MS, Criminal Justice, concentration in Crime Analysis
Why BU’s Criminal Justice Master’s Has Been Top 4 since 2015
Active Learning Environment: Benefit from a criminal justice master’s that employs case studies, simulations using real data, and hands-on problem solving to develop practical skills you can immediately apply on the job.
Engaged Faculty: Collaborate with faculty who have subject-matter expertise, research-based insight, and extensive field experience in law enforcement, corrections, cybercrime investigation and digital forensics, research and policy, forensic mental health, the judicial system, strategic management, and many other areas.
Extensive Network: Study alongside classmates whose diversity of criminal justice experience inspires discussion and debate, along with the opportunity to form valuable, long-lasting connections in the field.
15:1 Class Ratio: Enjoy an exceptional student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring close interaction with faculty and access to support.
Flexible Options: Study at the pace that works for you, evenings on campus or fully online. Courses begin fall, spring, and summer; online courses have two starts per term.
Track Record: Learn from the best—BU MET has offered criminal justice education since 1973, introducing the master’s degree in criminal justice in 1980, which became BU’s first fully online program in 2002.
Merit Scholarships: US citizens and permanent residents are automatically considered during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.
Prepare for the Future of Criminal Justice
The Crime Analysis concentration is part of BU MET’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ), focusing on the data-driven and intelligence-led approaches to crime that are rapidly becoming the standard among contemporary criminal justice organizations.
The master’s in Criminal Justice at BU MET is designed for professionals who want to enter or advance in the field of criminal justice—or simply gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating discipline and how it intersects with careers in mental health, public health, journalism, and law. Emphasizing practical, insightful, and adaptable knowledge, BU MET’s criminal justice courses develop practical skills that can be immediately applied on the job while informing your career growth for years to come.
Graduate with Expertise in Crime Analysis
Metropolitan College’s Criminal Justice master’s degree concentration in Crime Analysis will equip you to:
Understand the wide variety of data sources available for crime and intelligence analysis, including the methods of data collection, uses, strengths, and limitations.
Prepare different sources of data for use in analysis processes (e.g., data reorganization, matching).
Conduct analysis using a variety of different techniques, including mapping and spatial analysis and other advanced methods.
Incorporate analyses into effective written and oral reports that are useful to investigation, strategy, and policy decisions within law enforcement organizations.
Comprehend the ethical and legal rules and values that govern crime analysis within law enforcement organizations operating in a democratic society.
Inform effective data-driven or intelligence-led investigations, strategies, and policies based on awareness of contemporary law enforcement and security approaches.
Certificate-to-Degree Pathway
You can also earn the master’s in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Crime Analysis by completing the Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice and the Graduate Certificate in Crime Analysis. 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 apssadmissions@bu.edu to learn more about this option.
Dual Concentration Option
Students in the MS in Criminal Justice program have the option to complete both the concentrations in Crime Analysis and Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity by completing just two additional courses (for a total of ten courses/40 credits). Along with the four required courses, candidates for the dual concentration would also complete the following:
MET CJ 610 Cybercrime
MET CJ 612 Crime and Intelligence Analysis
MET CJ 620 Cyberterrorism and Cyber Defense
MET CJ 710 Applied Digital Forensic Investigation
MET UA 598 Foundations of GIS and Spatial Analysis
This course explores potential answers to complex and important questions about criminal behavior by drawing on the social science of criminology. Criminology is the interdisciplinary study of the development of law, criminal phenomena and societal responses to crime. The course has two primary focuses: 1) to explore and evaluate major explanations or theories of crime and 2) understand and evaluate the policy implications of major crime problems. Because criminology is interdisciplinary, students will examine theories that are grounded in a range of academic perspectives, including sociological, biological, political, psychological and economic explanations for crime. These theories will be centered on important public policy debates about a host of contemporary problems, including: firearm violence, high post- incarceration recidivism, opioid use disorder crisis and human trafficking. Course lectures and discussions focus on the historical development of the theories, their major assumptions and propositions, their relevance for public policy and practice. As the course progresses through each explanation for crime, students will have the opportunity to critically evaluate the validity of different explanations for crime as well as criminal justice policies and practices that they support. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
O1
IND
Rousseau
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET CJ 571 Criminal Justice Administration and Ethics
Sprg ‘25
This course will introduce students to the concepts of criminal justice administration and ethics. Students will learn about: the management of justice organizations in the United States, and the various debates as to how best to carry out crime control. Topics covered include: organizational theory and structure, professional ethics, leadership and management styles, organizational deviance and socialization, employee motivation, and management responses to stress and burnout. The course is designed to help students understand the characteristics of effective leadership and policy implementation in the field of criminal justice. Students will also have the opportunity to analyze ethical dilemmas commonly confronted in criminal justice work. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
O1
IND
Cadigan
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET CJ 590 Research and Evaluation Methods
Sprg ‘25
The skills used in research method have become central to many positions within criminal justice administration and related areas. Not only are professionals required to understand and critically evaluate the program and policy science in their field to make decisions, they often employ methodological skills in program and policy development, implementation, management and assessment. This course takes students through the research process from question development to administration and reporting. It emphasizes applied research situations and settings and specifically program evaluation and assessment. After examining various research design models, the course focuses on specific techniques that inform both quantitative and qualitative evaluation studies. These include sampling procedures, survey design, interview techniques, participant observation and case studies and process evaluations. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
O2
IND
Cadigan
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET CJ 591 Applied Analytical Methods
Sprg ‘25
Evidence-based and data-driven approaches to crime problems are the industry standard among criminal justice agencies and non-governmental organizations. This course will cover a variety of statistical "tools" from three broad areas: (1) descriptive statistics, (2) inferential statistics and hypothesis testing, and (3) measures of association. Students will learn how to develop research questions, describe and draw conclusions from quantitative data, and interpret statistical research findings, and be able to present these findings to a variety of audiences in a clear and accurate way -- to be able to "tell a story" with numbers. In addition, students will develop a proficiency working with large data sets and conducting analysis with a critical lens, using the analytical software -- Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) -- commonly used in criminal justice and related fields. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Cronin
STH B20
R
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O2
IND
Holt
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
Crime Analysis Concentration Requirements
(Four courses/16 credits)
MET CJ 612 Crime and Intelligence Analysis
Sprg ‘25
Contemporary law enforcement agencies regularly employ crime and intelligence analysis to develop and inform effective responses to crime. This course provides an in-depth examination of crime and intelligence analysis techniques. It also explores the role of the crime and intelligence analyst within law enforcement organizations and processes, the historical evolution of this approach, key legal and policy issues, and challenges to implementation. Students have the opportunity to apply these skills to case study simulations involving an array of common crime problems and cases using real-world examples and sources of information. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
O1
IND
Cronin
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET UA 598 Foundations of GIS and Spatial Analysis
Sprg ‘25
Foundations of GIS and Spatial Analysis provides an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specifically with a focus on applications in urban planning. The role of spatial analysis in local, state, and regional planning has steadily increased over the last decade with the infusion of windows-based GIS software such as ESRI ArcGIS. The class focus is to prepare students to feel comfortable communicating with other GIS users, research spatial data, and produce high-quality digital maps in an applied learning environment. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Sungu-Eryilmaz
CAS 327
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
Plus at least one course from the following list:
MET CJ 620 Cyberterrorism and Cyber Defense
Sprg ‘25
Cyber-terrorists continuously leverage sophisticated techniques in efforts to attack the nation's critical infrastructures by damaging their functionalities and stealing highly sensitive intellectual property, private information, and valuable assets. This course is designed to explore a new explanatory angle for studying cyberterrorism issues from a cyber- intelligence perspective. Major cyberterrorism cases will be empirically analyzed and applied into a lab environment for gaining hands-on-experience and to develop defensive strategies and counter measures. This course aims to examine three main types of cyberterrorism 1) Information Attacks, 2) Infrastructure Attacks, and 3) Technology Facilitation for building both technical capability and a set of policy recommendations to counter these potential threats. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
O2
IND
Choi
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET CJ 640 Performance Management Analytics
Sprg ‘25
Data analysis informs administration, management and accountability processes within criminal justice and related organizations. While traditional crime analysis often narrowly seeks to improve the organization's effectiveness towards public safety outcomes, management and accountability analysis seeks to also ensure fair, efficient, transparent, and accountable practices as well. This course examines contemporary management and accountability practices with an emphasis on the ways in which data can be employed to improve these practices. Students will learn skills to work with real data sources across justice-system domains, from policing to corrections, as well as community-based organizations. Contemporary challenges, such as disparate treatment, abuse of force, 'overpolicing,' frame discussions and assignments. Students will understand the strengths and limitations of data-informed approaches. The course is valuable to students seeking careers in analytical roles, other practitioners, non-profit managers, and those interested in justice reform more broadly. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Cronin
COM 217
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O2
IND
Malcolm
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET CJ 705 Threat Assessment
Sprg ‘25
Threat assessment is a systematic strategy for identifying, assessing, and preventing potential violent incidents. Using an interdisciplinary approach combining insights from criminology, law enforcement, psychiatry, and psychology, behavioral threat assessment is designed to provide alternatives to violence before an attack occurs. In this class, students will learn the principles of behavioral threat assessment and explore ongoing developments in the field by reviewing case examples and studies of school shooters, mass murderers, lone actor terrorists, as well as more common offender types such as domestic violence offenders. The course is intended for a wide variety of law enforcement officers, mental health practitioners, school administrators, workplace managers, and public officials who are charged with maintaining community safety. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
E1
IND
Silver
CAS 204A
M
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O2
IND
Silver
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET CJ 840 Applied Crime Analysis Project
Sprg ‘25
Students in the Crime Analysis (CA) concentration or certificate program are encouraged to engaged in a supervised project as part of their degree. The project is supervised by an instructor, typically the concentration area coordinator. It can be used to fulfill a 4-credit elective course within the concentration or certificate. Project-based and experiential learning activities are central to graduate professional education and to our own program's learning outcomes. The project gives students an opportunity to enhance and synthesize skills learned in other courses, apply skills to real-world problems and settings, and make connections into the professional field. Projects in the CA concentration or certificate will focus applied research and analytical methodologies and/or organizational processes connected to analysis within criminal justice or related agencies. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
DRS
Cronin
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
O1
DRS
Cronin
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
O2
DRS
Cronin
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET CS 521 Information Structures with Python
Sprg ‘25
HUB
This course covers the concepts of the object-oriented approach to software design and development using Python. It includes a detailed discussion of programming concepts starting with the fundamentals of data types, control structures methods, classes, arrays and strings, and proceeding to advanced topics such as inheritance and polymorphism, creating user interfaces, exceptions and streams. Upon completion of this course students will be able to apply software engineering principles to design and implement Python applications that can be used in with analytics and big data. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Creativity/Innovation, Critical Thinking.
Prerequisite: Programming experience in any language. Or Instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Formerly titled CS 555 Data Analysis and Visualization with R. This course provides an overview of the statistical tools most commonly used to process, analyze, and visualize data. Topics include simple linear regression, multiple regression, logistic regression, analysis of variance, and survival analysis. These topics are explored using the statistical package R, with a focus on understanding how to use and interpret output from this software as well as how to visualize results. In each topic area, the methodology, including underlying assumptions and the mechanics of how it all works along with appropriate interpretation of the results, are discussed. Concepts are presented in context of real world examples. Recommended Prerequisite: MET CS 544 or equivalent knowledge, or instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Wu
SHA 202
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A2
IND
Alizadeh-Shabdiz
CAS 228
W
12:30 pm – 3:15 pm
A3
IND
Alizadeh-Shabdiz
STH B22
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O2
IND
Alizadeh-Shabdiz
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET CS 677 Data Science with Python
Sprg ‘25
Students will learn major Python tools and techniques for data analysis. There are weekly assignments and mini projects on topics covered in class. These assignments will help build necessary statistical, visualization and other data science skills for effective use of data science in a variety of applications including finance, text processing, time series analysis and recommendation systems. In addition, students will choose a topic for a final project and present it on the last day of class. Prerequisite: MET CS 521 or equivalent. Or, instructor's consent. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Pinsky
CAS 216
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A2
IND
Pinsky
HAR 316
T
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A3
IND
Mohan
CDS 264
R
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
O2
IND
Chertushkin
ARR
12:00 am – 12:00 am
MET CS 699 Data Mining
Sprg ‘25
Prerequisites: MET CS 521 & MET CS 546; MET CS 579 or MET CS 669; or consent of instructor. - Study basic concepts and techniques of data mining. Topics include data preparation, classification, performance evaluation, association rule mining, regression and clustering. Students learn underlying theories of data mining algorithms in the class and they practice those algorithms through assignments and a semester-long class project using R. After finishing this course, students will be able to independently perform data mining tasks to solve real-world problems. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Lee
CAS 218
M
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
A2
IND
Lee
EPC 206
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
MET UA 642 Geospatial Intelligence
Sprg ‘25
Studying Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) for Urban Analysis equips students with the analytical tools and methodologies to understand and solve complex urban challenges. This knowledge is crucial for making informed decisions related to urban planning, infrastructure development, disaster management, and sustainability efforts. Through practical applications and real-world case studies, the course prepares students to contribute effectively to the development of smarter, more resilient, sustainable, and equitable urban environments. [ 4 cr. ]
Section
Type
Instructor
Location
Days
Times
A1
IND
Sungu-Eryilmaz
W
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
And one additional criminal justice (CJ) course or approved course in a related discipline.
Any request for addition or substitution of elective courses requires approval from the department.
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.
BU MET programs offer the flexibility of part-time or full-time study, either on campus or online. Tuition, fees, and total program cost are determined by enrollment status. If you enroll in 1–2 courses (4–8 credits) in a semester, you are charged the part-time per-credit rate. If you enroll in 3–4 courses (12–16 credits) in a semester, you are charged the full-time semester rate.
MS in Criminal Justice, Crime Analysis Concentration (Online and On Campus)
Enrollment Status
Part Time
Full Time
Courses per Semester
2 courses (8 credits)
4 courses (16 credits)
3 courses (12 credits)
Time to Degree
4 semesters (16 months)
2 semesters (8-12 months)***
3 semesters (12-16 months)***
Tuition*
$550-$975 per credit**
$33,335 per semester
$33,335 per semester
Fees per Semester*
$60
$478
$478
Total Degree Cost*
$21,240– $24,080
$67,626
$75,486
*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). ***Summer semester enrollment is not required for international students to maintain F-1 visa status. Enrollment in summer semester coursework will expedite completion of program and reduce total program cost.
International students seeking an F-1 visa for on-campus study must enroll full time and demonstrate availability of funds to cover the Estimated Cost of Graduate Study; those who wish to study online may enroll part-time but are not eligible for a visa. Learn more about International Student Tuition & Fees.
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.