Qualify for Cybercrime Investigation Jobs with a Master’s in Criminal Justice
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) provides practical and essential knowledge of cybercrime investigative techniques and cybersecurity practices.
While traditional crime has been on the decline since the 1990s, cybercrime has been on the rise. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), from its inception in 2000 through 2019, there have been 4,883,231 complaints received. In the years since 2015, IC3 reported an average of more than 340,000 complaints annually, with $10.2 billion in financial losses. That is just the tip of the iceberg, however, as some estimate that only 1 in 10 incidents are reported to law enforcement.
Program at a Glance
- Top 4 Online Programs since 2015
- Online and On Campus
- Part-Time or Full-Time Study
- 32 Credits
- 8–16 Months to Completion
- 4 Full-Time Faculty Members
- No GRE/GMAT
- Tuition & Fees—Part-Time Study*: $24,640
*Based on 2024–2025 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Advance Your Criminal Justice Career
With cybercrime occurring globally, and across jurisdictions, the challenges for police are real, as is the need for specialized resources and expertise in cybercrime investigation training. The Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity concentration of BU MET’s MS in Criminal Justice focuses on developing the competency and practical knowledge needed to work with various issues related to cybercrime. In this program, you will gain insight into cybercriminology and the practical digital investigative knowledge, legal practices, and policies related to cybersecurity risk assessment. As a graduate, you will be eligible to take the forensic examiner certification exams.
You also have the option to complete both the Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity concentration and the Crime Analysis concentration by completing just ten courses (40 credits). See Dual Concentration for more information.

#6 in 2025, and top 6 since 2015
MET’s online master’s degree in criminal justice is ranked #6 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 2025.
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#4, America’s Top Online Colleges
Newsweek magazine ranked Boston University’s online programs #4 in the nation in its 2023 survey.
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Criminal Justice Career Outlook
Top criminal justice careers in cybercrime, crime analysis, and management.
Learn MoreWhat 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

"I believe my degree will make me more competitive for advancement within my agency...what I learned has made me sharper and more familiar with progressive policing strategies. Most importantly, my degree has provided me with additional cyber and investigative skills that I can use to contribute to my work as a member of the Rhode Island State Police." Read more.
Matthew C. Moynihan (MET'19)
Captain, Rhode Island State Police
MS, Criminal Justice, concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity
Why BU’s Criminal Justice Master’s Has Been Top 4 since 2015
- Grant-Supported Curriculum: BU MET’s Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity program is the recipient of a grant from the US Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) supporting the Student Computer Forensics and Digital Evidence Educational Opportunities Program—designed to enhance current capacities of law enforcement agencies in the areas of computer forensics and digital evidence.
- 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.
- Career Counseling: MET’s Career Development office and BU’s Center for Career Development offer a variety of job-hunting resources, including one-on-one career counseling by appointment for both online and on-campus students.
- 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.
- Valuable Resources: Make use of Boston University’s extensive resources, including the Center for Career Development, Fitness & Recreation Center, IT Help Centers, Mugar Memorial Library, Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, Center for Antiracist Research, Initiative on Cities, Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, George Sherman Union, and many others.
- 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 Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity concentration is part of BU MET’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ). In this course of study, you will learn from industry experts whose designations include chair of the American Society of Criminology’s Division of Cybercrime.
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 Ready to Fight Cybercrime
Metropolitan College’s Criminal Justice master’s degree concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity will equip you to:
- Understand various criminological perspectives, including cybercriminals’ mindsets and the motivational factors that contribute to the committing of illegal activities.
- Evaluate enforcement and sanctioning issues particular to the nature of cybercrime, and identify specific problems with the use of new technology in international jurisdiction.
- Formulate criminological strategies for the prevention of cybercrime.
- Comprehend issues around the legal admissibility of digital evidence and recognize various cybercrime environment issues in the course of a cybercrime investigation.
- Exhibit comprehensive knowledge of cybercrime-focused digital forensics and develop the ability to apply digital forensic knowledge to cybercrime cases.
- Use state-of-the-art digital forensic tools of the industry with an adequate degree of proficiency and gain essential preparation for the Digital Forensic Examiner certification exams.
- Understand the process of conducting computer crime investigation and indicating security characteristics, threats, and responses via security measure assessment from technology; policy and practice; and education, training, and awareness dimensions.
- Practice risk management—identification, quantification, response, and control—and disaster recovery procedures and countermeasures for the business enterprise.
Certificate-to-Degree Pathway
You can also earn the master’s in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity by completing the Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice and the Graduate Certificate in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity. 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
- And one course selected from the list of Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity electives
Connect with a graduate admissions advisor at apssadmissions@bu.edu to learn more about this option.
Master’s in Criminal Justice Curriculum
Required Courses
(Four courses/16 credits)
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
Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity Concentration Requirements
(Four courses/16 credits)
MET CJ 610 Cybercrime
MET CJ 710 Applied Digital Forensic Investigation
Plus two of the following electives:
MET CJ 620 Cyberterrorism and Cyber Defense
MET CJ 632 White-Collar Crime
MET CJ 812 Cybersecurity Capstone
MET CS 684 Enterprise Cybersecurity Management
MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations
MET CS 694 Mobile Forensics and Security
Any request for addition or substitution of elective courses requires approval from the department.
Criminal Justice 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?
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, Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity 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* | $24,640 | $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.
What to Read Next: MET Criminal Justice Knowledge Center
- Why Get a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice at BU MET?
- What Do My Career Options Look Like with a BU Master's in Criminal Justice?
- Are There Different Criminal Justice Graduate Programs or Specializations at BU?
- Alumni Profile: BU MET Master's in Criminal Justice
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