*Based on 2026–2027 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Master Digital Forensics and Cyber Incident Response
The MS in Computer Information Systems concentration in Digital Forensics provides essential training in investigating digital crime scenes, recovering and analyzing electronic evidence, and supporting cybersecurity and legal teams. You will gain comprehensive knowledge of digital crime scene investigation that can be applied across civil, criminal, or administrative cases—preparing you for IT leadership positions and artificial intelligence-integrated positions in all sectors.
The Digital Forensics curriculum covers forensic policies and procedures, digital investigation practices, data recovery, and forensic analysis tools. You will develop the analytical, investigative, and reporting skills essential for careers in diverse sectors such as healthcare, finance, government, technology, and telecommunications, and will be equipped to collect credible digital evidence and serve as an expert witness in legal proceedings. Career paths include digital forensics investigator, incident response analyst, cybersecurity consultant, SOC analyst, threat intelligence analyst, legal and eDiscovery specialist, and many others.
The MS in Computer Information Systems, Digital Forensics concentration is also available on campus in Boston. Learn more.
Curriculum
A total of 32 units is required.
Students must complete the core courses and Digital Forensics concentration requirements.
Preparatory Labs
All students are enrolled in the following free, online, non-unit preparatory labs designed to strengthen their academic foundation and serve as a key resource for the degree program. Requirements for completion are assessed during the application process.
Students who have completed courses on core curriculum subjects as part of their undergraduate degree program may request permission from the Department of Computer Science to replace the corresponding core courses with graduate-level computer information systems electives. Please refer to the MET CS Academic Policies Manual for further details.
Concentration Requirements
(Four courses/16 units)
And two courses from the following (some courses may not be available in the online format):
Master’s Thesis Option
(8 units)
Students have the option to complete a master’s thesis in addition to the program’s eight course (32 unit) requirements. The thesis option is to be completed within twelve months and is available to Master of Science in Computer Information Systems candidates who have completed at least four courses toward their degree and have a GPA of 3.7 or higher. Students are responsible for finding a thesis advisor and a principal reader within the department. The advisor must be a full-time faculty member; the principal reader may be part-time faculty with a PhD (unless waived by the department).
Learn about application requirements for BU MET graduate degree and certificate programs.
How You Benefit from a Boston University Education
A BU credential can help lay the foundation for career advancement and personal success.
Benefit from an average 24:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Learn from highly qualified faculty and industry leaders who have hands-on involvement in building networks, developing applications, and fighting cybercrime for the world’s top companies.
Gain in-depth, practical experience with the latest technologies through case studies and real-world projects. In addition, there are a variety of opportunities to collaborate and participate in research on system reliability and information security.
Many courses prepare you to leverage artificial intelligence for the analysis, development, and integration of modern information systems.
Experience a supportive online network, with courses developed and taught by PhD-level full-time faculty and professionals with hands-on expertise in the industry.
Learn from the best— BU MET’s Department of Computer Science was established in 1979 and is the longest-running computer science department at BU. Over the course of its existence, the department has played an important role in the emergence of IT at the University and throughout the region.
All graduate students are automatically considered for merit scholarships during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.
Rankings & Accreditations
#12, Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology Programs
MET’s online master’s degrees in computer information technology are ranked #12 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Graduate with Digital Forensics Expertise
Students who complete the MSCIS degree concentration in Digital Forensics will be able to demonstrate:
Advanced knowledge of the computer forensics tools necessary to launch a complete and successful digital forensics investigation in civil, criminal, or administrative cases.
Proficiency in conducting network forensics analysis, including determining how a perpetrator or an attacker gained access to a network and transmitted felonious digital data.
Competence sufficient to conduct a comprehensive “digital crime scene investigation” and mastery of skills pertaining to acquisition of digital evidence, conducting analysis, presenting a report, and being an expert witness in a court.
Advance Your Career
BU MET’s Computer Information Systems master’s concentration in Digital Forensics prepares you to integrate in-depth technical skills and emerging technology management with the technical knowledge needed to investigate digital crime scenes, collect and analyze digital evidence, and serve as an expert witness in court cases involving fraud, cybercrime, data breaches, intellectual property theft, or regulatory compliance.
Recent graduates have found job opportunities and career paths in organizations such as:
Fidelity Investments
IBM
United States Army
United States Air Force
Boeing
Oracle
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Accenture
Bank of America
Lockheed Martin
Microsoft
PwC
United States Marine Corps
United States Navy
Tata Consultancy Services
Booz Allen Hamilton
Apple
AT&T
Cisco
Raytheon
Dell EMC
Infosys
State Street
General Motors
Meditech
Partners HealthCare
Staples
UnitedHealth Group
Verizon
Take Advantage of Career Resources at BU MET
You will find the support you need in reaching your career goals through MET’s Career Development office, which offers a variety of job-hunting resources, including one-on-one career counseling by appointment for online students. You can also take advantage of tools and resources available online through BU’s Center for Career Development.
Lou Chitkushev Professor, Computer Science
Senior Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
Director, Health Informatics & Health Sciences
Head, Digital Forensics Research Laboratory
Maryan Rizinski Associate Professor of the Practice, Computer Science
Anatoly Temkin Assistant Professor Emeritus, Computer Science
Ming Zhang Assistant Professor, Computer Science Coordinator, BSCS Programs
Tanya Zlateva Dean, Metropolitan College & Extended Education Professor of the Practice, Computer Science and Education Education Director, Information Security, Center for Reliable Information Systems & Cyber Security
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