Are You Ready to Take on the Challenges of Criminal Justice—and Make a Difference?
In the service of equal justice, the Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) will prepare you to understand age-old issues and navigate the increasingly complex challenges—both tangible and intangible—facing law enforcement, corrections, and the judiciary system. The following optional concentrations are available:
Concentrations
A BU MET master’s degree in Criminal Justice equips you with the critical-thinking skills to approach your work with a well-rounded, informed perspective—opening the door to promotion and specialized career tracks.
Program at a Glance
- Top 6 Online Programs since 2015
- Online and On Campus
- Part-Time or Full-Time Study
- 32 Units
- 8–16 Months to Completion
- 4 Full-Time Faculty Members
- No GRE/GMAT
- Tuition & Fees Range—Part-Time Study*: $21,948–$25,452
*Based on 2025–2026 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Take the Next Step
Get essential information and guidance for applying.
Advance Your Career with a Master’s in Criminal Justice
The realm of crime and its victims is expanding. Digital crimes are on the rise and agencies are struggling to outsmart the perpetrators. Access to massive amounts of crime and intelligence data, much of it generated in real-time, requires expert analysis skills for the entire chain of command. And law enforcement agencies demand fresh vision and skilled leadership to develop accountability systems, build public trust, and ensure evidence-based practices. BU MET’s MS in Criminal Justice gives you the tools to establish evidence-based policies and institute best practices in degree concentration areas such as Crime Analysis, Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity, and Strategic Management. You also have the option to complete both the concentrations in Crime Analysis and Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity by completing just ten courses (40 units). See Dual Concentration for more information.
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
Speak with our Admissions Team
Schedule a 1:1 call to speak with an advisor directly or attend an admissions event alongside other future students.
“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
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.
- 24:1 Average 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, 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: All graduate students are automatically considered for merit scholarships during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.
Rankings & Accreditations
#6 in 2025, and top 6 since 2015MET’s online master’s degree in criminal justice is ranked #6 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 2025.
#10, Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs for VeteransMET’s online master’s degree in criminal justice is ranked #10 in the nation for veterans and active-duty service members by U.S. News & World Report for 2025.
Prepare for the Future of Criminal Justice
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. Degree concentration options include Crime Analysis, Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity, and Strategic Management.
In this program, you will learn to analyze criminal behavior, apply principles of leadership in organizational settings, examine theories of social control, and gain an informed perspective of law enforcement, the judicial system, and corrections. BU MET’s Criminal Justice master’s degree will give you a competitive edge whether you plan to enhance your career, teach, apply to law school, or pursue a doctorate.
Graduate with Expertise
Metropolitan College’s Criminal Justice master’s degree will equip you with:
- Advanced knowledge of, and ability to evaluate, criminological and criminal justice theories and their implications for public policy and practice.
- Proficiency in research design and quantitative and qualitative analysis related to the evaluation of criminal justice practices, programs, and policies, and to the etiology of crime in applied settings.
- Competence sufficient to evaluate and resolve the ethical issues in criminal justice practice and implement, manage, and lead organizational changes to prevent or respond effectively to them.
- An ability to synthesize, evaluate, recognize implications, and communicate effectively using scholarly sources of information connected to crime theory and policy.
Certificate-to-Degree Pathway
BU MET graduate certificate programs can serve as building blocks to a master’s degree. Each certificate shares specific courses with the master’s in Criminal Justice program and its concentrations, giving you the option to take one or two certificates on your path to a master’s degree. 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.
The following graduate certificate programs can be applied to the master’s degree: Crime Analysis; Criminal Justice; Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity; and Strategic Management in Criminal Justice.
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 units). 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
A total of 32 units is required.
Students who are not choosing a concentration must complete the core courses and general electives, as indicated. Students pursuing a concentration should review the requirements for Crime Analysis, Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity, or Strategic Management.
Core Courses
(Four courses/16 units)
General Electives
(Four courses/16 units)
Select four courses from the following list, unless you are pursuing a concentration in Crime Analysis, Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity, or Strategic Management:
Criminal Justice Faculty
-
Abby Ballou
Visiting Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice Director, Prison Education Program
-
Kyung-shick Choi
Professor of the Practice, Criminal Justice Director, Cybercrime & Cybersecurity
-
Danielle Rousseau
Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
-
James M. Silver
Visiting Associate Professor, Criminal Justice
-
April Gile Thomas
Associate Professor of the Practice, Criminal Justice
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?
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 units) in a semester, you are charged the part-time per-unit rate. If you enroll in 3–4 courses (12–16 units) in a semester, you are charged the full-time semester rate.
MS in Criminal Justice (Online and On Campus)
| Enrollment Status | Part Time | Full Time | |
| Courses per Semester | 2 courses (8 units) |
4 courses (16 units) |
3 courses (12 units) |
| Time to Degree | 4 semesters (16 months) |
2 semesters (8–12 months)*** |
3 semesters (12–16 months)*** |
| Tuition* | $567–$1,005 per unit** |
$34,935 per semester |
$34,935 per semester |
| Fees per Semester* | $75 | $501 | $501 |
| Total Degree Cost* | $21,948– $25,452 |
$70,872 | $78,987 |
*Based on 2025–2026 Boston University tuition and fee rates.
**Cost per unit is determined by course number (100–599 = $567/unit, 600–999 = $1,005/unit).
***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
- Criminal Justice Student Stories
- 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
- White Hat Hackers Team Up in International Cybercriminology Conference
