{"id":3644,"date":"2020-09-02T11:22:41","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T15:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/?page_id=3644"},"modified":"2026-01-23T14:01:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T19:01:27","slug":"why-get-mscj-at-bu-met","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/programs\/criminal-justice\/why-get-mscj-at-bu-met\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Get Your Master\u2019s in Criminal Justice at BU MET?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Back to Programs<\/a>Criminal Justice<\/a><\/div>\n

Guided by its outstanding faculty, Boston University\u2019s Metropolitan College (MET) plays a unique and essential role in connecting BU to the wider world of professional achievement and academic application. Throughout its history, BU MET has empowered nontraditional students, who are often employed full-time, to advance in their accomplishments, build on their strengths and demonstrated abilities, and develop in their personal and professional lives, thanks to the aid and guidance of its instructors and online course facilitators.<\/p>\n

As a case in point, take the criminal justice programs at Metropolitan College. BU MET has offered criminal justice education since 1973, and over that significant stretch of time has made a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals, thanks to deeply committed criminal justice faculty who share students\u2019 passion for substantial criminal justice issues\u2014particularly in matters of policing best practices, cybercrime, the judicial system, reform, and corrections. As part of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, the Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) at BU MET\u2014available on campus and online\u2014offers a relevant, cutting-edge curriculum and provides the tools to establish evidence-based policies and institute best practices in degree concentration areas such as Crime Analysis<\/a>, Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity<\/a>, and Strategic Management<\/a>. Since 2015, BU MET\u2019s online MSCJ has been ranked among the top 6 Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs, according to U.S. News & World Report<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The BU Advantage: Earn Your MSCJ Degree from a Top Institution<\/h2>\n

Founded in 1839,\u00a0Boston University<\/a>\u00a0today is\u00a0internationally recognized as a top institution<\/a>\u00a0of higher learning and research. The University\u2019s 17 schools and colleges offer more than 250 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and special degree programs, along with the resources of 13 libraries and over 100 academic centers and institutes. With more than 37,000 students from all 50 states and 140 countries\u2014and more than 455,000 living alumni\u2014Boston University is the fourth-largest independent university in the United States.<\/p>\n

For over half a century, BU\u2019s Metropolitan College has brought the scholarly rigor and resources of an internationally respected research university to busy, working adults via innovative, part-time programs. BU MET offers more than 80 graduate and undergraduate degree and certificate programs evenings on campus, online, and in blended formats designed to meet the needs of both the local and global professional community. A laboratory and incubator for new programs, pedagogy, and educational technologies, BU MET ensures that students have access to cutting-edge facilities and the latest learning tools\u2014as well as the opportunity to build networks with classmates and industry peers.<\/p>\n

Metropolitan College students have access to Boston University\u2019s array of valuable academic and social resources, such as the Center for Career Development<\/a>, Education Resource Center<\/a>, Fitness & Recreation Center<\/a>, IT Help Centers<\/a>, Mugar Memorial Library<\/a>, Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future<\/a>, Initiative on Cities<\/a>, Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground<\/a>, George Sherman Union<\/a>, and many others.<\/p>\n

When you study at BU MET, you participate in an exciting exchange of ideas\u2014a spirit of innovation that reaches far beyond the classroom into the global arena. You\u2019re connecting to students and\u00a0faculty<\/a>\u00a0from around the world, engaging in new perspectives, fresh challenges, and novel solutions. Plus, you graduate with a degree from Boston University\u2014a trusted credential that adds great value to your r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n

The Flexibility Advantage: Top Criminal Justice Education That Fits Your Needs<\/h2>\n

With classes held evenings on campus, online, and in a versatile and responsive Learn from<\/em> Anywhere (Lf<\/em>A) format, BU MET grants access to an education at a globally renowned, leading research university via part-time or full-time study.<\/p>\n

The eight-course Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ)<\/a>, which has optional concentrations in\u00a0Crime Analysis<\/a>, Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity<\/a>, and Strategic Management<\/a> can be completed in as few as 8 months of full-time study, or 16 months of part-time study. For those who wish to build toward a degree\u2014but perhaps are not in a position to commit to the full program right away\u2014there are several four-course graduate certificate programs that can serve as building blocks to the master\u2019s degree. Each certificate shares specific courses with the MSCJ program and its concentrations, giving you the option to obtain one or two certificates on your path to a master\u2019s degree. Note that you must apply for admission and be accepted into the degree program in order to be eligible to earn the master\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\"Criminal<\/p>\n

The MSCJ Online Advantage: Ranked Top 6 since 2015<\/h2>\n

Our master\u2019s degree in criminal justice had the distinction of becoming Boston University\u2019s first fully online program in 2002. Thanks to our engaging teaching model, continuous innovation, rigorous quality control, and a deep commitment to providing support services for students, BU MET\u2019s online master\u2019s degree in criminal justice has been ranked among the top 6 Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs<\/strong> each year since 2015 (U.S. News & World Report<\/em>).<\/p>\n