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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

Headshot of Bridget Bishop, MS, Criminal Justice, concentration in Strategic Management (MET’22)

“MET’s MS in Criminal Justice was the perfect one-year opportunity to expand my knowledge about a field that interested me. These professors kept me engaged in learning and showed me firsthand how to have an impact. The drive their dedication inspired was one of the most important ingredients to my success. My coursework throughout this program has shown me there are so many opportunities to make a mark on policy and practice in the criminal justice system and beyond.” Read more.

Bridget Bishop (MET'22)
Law Student, University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School
MS, Criminal Justice, concentration in Strategic Management

Headshot of Vanessa Burns, MS, Criminal Justice, concentration in Strategic Management (MET’22); BS, Criminal Justice (MET’18)

“While in this graduate program, I have picked up knowledge about ethics, research, policy creation, etc., which are specific to criminal justice but can also be applied outside of it. I also have new perspectives on fixing our system...in the classes I’ve taken, with people expressing a multitude of viewpoints, I have learned the problems are not insurmountable, there are solutions. I love that this program brings together people from different places, professions, and points in their lives and provides us with a blueprint for mending our flawed system.” Read more.

Vanessa Burns (MET'22, MET'18)
Parole Officer, Massachusetts Parole Board
MS, Criminal Justice, concentration in Strategic Management; BS, Criminal Justice

Michael Sullivan, Sergeant Detective, Boston Police Department

"I believe the education I received at BU will make me more marketable within my agency and provide me with additional external opportunities. There is certainly a need in law enforcement for a greater number of investigators who know how to conduct cybercrime investigations and can understand the different sources of potential digital evidence." Read more.

Michael Sullivan (MET'20, MET'08)
Sergeant Detective, Boston Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit
Graduate Certificate, Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity; Master of Criminal Justice

A headshot of South Kingston Chief of Police Matthew C. Moynihan.

"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

“I know my studies have made me a better analyst because I have become more strategic and critical when assessing intelligence and policies. And while a graduate degree is not a requirement, I feel confident that my degree—coupled with my experience—has made me more competitive for advancement and promotion.” Read more.

Daisy Lui (MET'17)
Criminal Intelligence Analyst, Calgary Police Service
MS, Criminal Justice

“The program at Boston University is a great blend of theoretical and practical knowledge. As such, I have been able to implement certain lessons almost immediately as a Boston Police detective after learning them in class. I plan on growing within my organization and putting myself in a position to help shape the future of policing in Boston.” Read more.

Clifford Davis IV (MET'20)
Detective, Human Trafficking Unit, Boston Police Department
MS, Criminal Justice, concentration in Strategic Management

“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

“Completing this program allowed me to move forward in my crime analysis career by expanding the range of positions that I could apply for in the field. While I did undertake this program with the intention of advancing my career, I also had the opportunity to learn skills that were applicable in my current position. After completing this program, I could perform more varied and elaborate analyses of the kind expected of traditional crime analysts.” Read more.

Caitlin Kloess (MET'22)
Crime Analyst, Denver Police Department
Graduate Certificate, Crime Analysis; Undergraduate Certificate, Criminal Justice

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.
  • 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.