For Alum Moynihan (MET’19), Flexible Schedule, Peer Insight, and Guest Speakers Distinguish BU MET

This interview was originally published in fall 2019. Matthew has since accepted the position of Chief of Police for the South Kingstown Police Department.

Why did you choose BU MET for your graduate studies? What set MET apart from other programs you were considering?
After looking at a number of programs, I originally chose BU MET in the Fall of 2004, when I was a much younger trooper and wanted to pursue a graduate degree in terrorism and homeland security. I was able to take two classes before setting my educational goals aside to focus on challenging opportunities on the job and increased responsibilities at home. I was working in narcotics with an assigned K-9 and knew that sixteen-hour days at work and a family life that now included an infant and a toddler were not conducive to studying.

As the years passed, I always kept my eye on the offerings at BU MET. The coursework was more interesting than at other schools, and it has a reputation for rigor that other programs seemed to lack. After 13 years, I thought “it’s now or never” and jumped back in—but this time to pursue a Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree with a concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity.

Were you able to use faculty as a resource? Is there a particular faculty member who enhanced your experience?
Each course is taught by highly skilled and well-prepared faculty. The team approach, where additional guidance and instructions are provided by online course facilitators, helped me to understand the presented material and provided the necessary resources when I needed further clarification. I frequently consulted with course facilitators while completing assignments to further enhance the learning experience.

To complement scheduled coursework, MS in Criminal Justice students have opportunities to participate in “live classrooms” with guest speakers from other criminal justice courses at MET. In February of 2018, Professor Shea Cronin’s Policing in a Democratic Society (MET CJ 750) had a particularly impactful guest speaker, Frederick Ryan, the then-chief of police from Arlington, Mass. Chief Ryan has received national recognition as a leader in law enforcement response to the opioid overdose epidemic. Under his leadership, the Arlington Police Department was an early adopter of police-led outreach models. This live classroom session was particularly influential in my professional life as I had just been assigned to a newly created position with the Rhode Island State Police as the Opioid Enforcement and Prevention Coordinator, and was in the process of creating a plan for our program. I was not enrolled in Professor Cronin’s class, but still had the opportunity to hear Chief Ryan’s inspirational story of how he led the efforts in Arlington to combat the epidemic. I was able to connect with him after the session and his innovative approach to handling the opioid crisis, known as “the Arlington model,” informed my work as I developed the HOPE Initiative in Rhode Island. The HOPE Initiative is the first statewide post-overdose outreach program in the country, and since the program launched late in 2018 we have made more than 1,600 contacts with Rhode Islanders struggling with addiction.

In addition to the support I received from various professors and facilitators, I also appreciated the input and support from my fellow students and found our interactions to be valuable, as many times they challenged the assumptions I was making as a mid-career law enforcement officer.

How were you able to adapt to some of the challenges of balancing work, home-life, and school? Did you benefit from BU MET’s flexible class delivery options?
Balancing work, family, and school was as challenging as the coursework. As someone with a full-time job and demanding schedule, there’s no question that the flexibility—and the structure—offered by BU MET was critical. Saturdays and Sundays were usually spent on homework, and when I was able to anticipate a particularly busy week at work, I was able to work ahead. The live classroom sessions were extremely helpful, but occasionally, due to unplanned demands from work, I was not able to participate live. The ability to review recorded sessions, and then follow up with assigned facilitators regarding questions I may have had, allowed me to still engage with the presented material while maintaining the flexibility required to balance a hectic schedule.

I’m especially grateful to my wife and sons for their patience and understanding. Without their steadfast support, pursuing this degree would not have been possible. The coursework is challenging, but with proper planning and the flexible class delivery options, your graduate goals can be achieved.

Are there any specific skills or competencies you acquired during your studies that qualified you for a promotion, professional designation, title change or other benefit?
While there is no requirement for graduate work, most of my peers do hold a master’s degree, so I believe my degree will make me more competitive for advancement within my agency. One clear benefit is that 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.