Online MS in Criminal Justice—Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity

At a Glance

Completion Time

16–18

Months

Credits Required

Tuition

$26,140

Part-Time*

*Based on 2026–2027 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.

Gain Expertise in Digital Crimefighting

The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity allows students to develop competency and practical knowledge, enabling them to work with various issues related to cybercrime. By participating in the program, students will gain insight into cybercriminology and the practical digital investigative knowledge, legal practices, and policies related to cybersecurity risk assessment. In addition, going beyond understanding practical and essential knowledge of cybercrime and cybersecurity, students who successfully complete the concentration are eligible to take the forensic examiner exams.

BU MET’s Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity program is the recipient of a grant from the US Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) supporting the Student Computer Forensics and Digital Evidence Educational Opportunities Program—designed to enhance current capacities of law enforcement agencies in the areas of computer forensics and digital evidence.

Curriculum

The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity consists of a total of eight courses (32 units): four required courses and four concentration requirements.

The Boston University online Master of Science in Criminal Justice will provide you with an in-depth examination of crime and justice, including theories, trends, and policies, in fewer than two years of study. Online students pursuing a Concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity must satisfy the MS in Criminal Justice core requirements and the concentration requirements.

Core Courses

(Four courses/16 units)

MET CJ 570 Criminology and Crime Policy

4 credits. Fall and Spring

Why do people commit crime, and how should those explanations shape public policy and practice? Explore crime through a range of criminological perspectives and examine how different ways of understanding crime lead to different responses from the justice system and society. You will study major theories from across the social sciences and consider what they suggest about the causes of crime, the development of law, and the design of effective policies and programs. Along the way, you will connect theory and research to contemporary crime problems and evaluate how well current justice practices reflect the evidence. By the end of the course, you will be better prepared to use criminological theory and research to assess competing ideas about crime and to inform decisions about law, policy, and practice.

Section A1, FALL 2026 Sep 2nd to Dec 10th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Thomas	Independent	T	06:00:00 PM–08:45:00 PM	CAS 208

Section O1, FALL 2026 Sep 1st to Oct 19th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Thomas	Independent	ARR	12:00:00 AM–12:00:00 AM

MET CJ 571 Criminal Justice Administration and Ethics

4 credits. Fall and Spring

How should justice organizations be led and managed within the legal and ethical constraints that govern their work? Explore the practical challenges of administering policing, court, and correctional institutions in ways that comply with law, policy, and professional standards. You will examine how justice organizations operate and how leadership, organizational culture, and management practices shape decision-making. The course introduces key ideas from organizational theory and applies them to real-world justice settings, including employee motivation, professional socialization, stress and burnout, and organizational deviance. Through case analysis and discussion, you will examine how laws, policies, and legal and professional obligations guide professional judgment and shape how justice leaders translate policy into practice.

Section A1, FALL 2026 Sep 2nd to Dec 10th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Cadigan	Independent	R	06:00:00 PM–08:45:00 PM	EPC 208

Section O1, FALL 2026 Sep 1st to Oct 19th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Silver	Independent	ARR	12:00:00 AM–12:00:00 AM

MET CJ 590 Research and Evaluation Methods

4 credits. Fall and Spring

How do justice leaders know whether a policy or program is actually working? In many criminal justice and community organizations, professionals are expected to use research and data to guide decisions, evaluate programs, and improve outcomes. Develop practical research and evaluation skills used in justice administration and related fields. You will learn how to move through the research and evaluation process—from developing questions to collecting, analyzing, and communicating evidence. The course emphasizes applied research settings, particularly the evaluation of justice policies and programs. You will examine common research designs and the strengths and limitations of different approaches. Topics include sampling, survey design, interviews, participant observation, case studies, and process evaluations. By the end of the course, you will be better prepared to interpret research and use evaluation methods to assess and improve real-world programs and policies.

Section A1, FALL 2026 Sep 2nd to Dec 10th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Ballou	Independent	W	06:00:00 PM–08:45:00 PM	SHA 202

Section O2, FALL 2026 Oct 27th to Dec 14th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Ballou	Independent	ARR	12:00:00 AM–12:00:00 AM

MET CJ 591 Applied Analytical Methods

4 credits. Fall and Spring

Evidence-based and data-informed approaches are now central to modern criminal justice practice. How can data help you understand crime problems, evaluate programs, and support better policy decisions? Develop practical skills for analyzing and interpreting quantitative data used in justice policy and administration. You will learn how to frame research questions, summarize patterns in data, and draw meaningful conclusions from statistical evidence. The course introduces key analytical tools—including descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and measures of association—and demonstrates how they are used to analyze crime and justice data. Working with real datasets and justice-system contexts, you will build experience conducting analyses and communicating findings clearly to diverse audiences. By the end of the course, you will be able to interpret statistical evidence and “tell the story” behind the numbers.

Section O2, FALL 2026 Oct 27th to Dec 14th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Holt	Independent	ARR	12:00:00 AM–12:00:00 AM

Concentration Requirements

(Four courses/16 units)

MET CJ 610 Cybercriminology

4 credits. Fall and Spring

Why do individuals and groups commit crimes in digital environments? In this course, you will explore how criminological theory helps explain cybercrime and how these insights inform modern criminal justice responses. Drawing on both micro-level and macro-level theories of crime, you will examine how traditional criminological frameworks are adapted to understand offenses such as online fraud, hacking, and other forms of cyber-enabled crime. Through case studies of real cybercrime incidents, the course explores patterns of offending, victimization, legal responses, and the broader social costs of cybercrime. By the end of the course, you will understand how theory, law, and policy shape strategies for preventing and responding to cybercrime within contemporary justice systems.

Section A1, FALL 2026 Sep 2nd to Dec 10th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Choi	Independent	M	06:00:00 PM–08:45:00 PM	STH B20

Section O1, FALL 2026 Sep 1st to Oct 19th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Choi	Independent	ARR	12:00:00 AM–12:00:00 AM

MET CJ 710 Cybercrime Investigation

4 credits. Fall and Spring

How is digital evidence recovered and analyzed during cybercrime investigations? In this course, you will develop practical skills for conducting forensic examinations of computers, digital devices, and networks. Working in the Virtual Security Lab, you will learn how investigators identify, preserve, analyze, and document digital evidence related to cybercrime incidents. The course introduces industry-standard digital forensic tools and methods used in criminal investigations and legal proceedings. Through hands-on exercises and case-based scenarios, you will examine digital artifacts, reconstruct events, and prepare forensic documentation suitable for investigative and legal contexts. By the end of the course, you will understand the principles of digital forensic investigation and how digital evidence supports cybercrime enforcement and prosecution.

Section O2, FALL 2026 Oct 27th to Dec 14th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Nay	Independent	ARR	12:00:00 AM–12:00:00 AM

Plus two courses from the following list:

MET CJ 620 Cyberterrorism and Cyber Defense

4 credits. Fall and Spring

How can cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure be identified, analyzed, and prevented? In this course, you will examine the evolving nature of cyberterrorism and the risks posed to national security, public safety, and critical systems. Drawing on cyber intelligence methods and real-world case studies, the course explores how malicious actors conduct information attacks, target infrastructure systems, and exploit digital technologies to advance extremist or criminal objectives. Working in a laboratory environment, you will analyze cyber incidents, examine attack strategies, and develop defensive and policy responses. By the end of the course, you will understand how cyber intelligence, digital investigation, and security strategies are used to detect, assess, and counter cyber-enabled threats to critical infrastructure.

Section O2, FALL 2026 Oct 27th to Dec 14th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Choi	Independent	ARR	12:00:00 AM–12:00:00 AM

MET CJ 632 Financial Crimes in the Digital Age

4 credits. Fall and Spring

Why do financial crimes continue to evolve as technology advances? Examine economic and corporate crime in today’s digital world, where fraud, corporate misconduct, fintech systems, and cryptocurrency reshape how financial offenses are committed and investigated. You will explore how organizational behavior, regulatory structures, and technological change influence fraud risks and enforcement challenges, while gaining practical insight into how investigators, regulators, and organizations detect, prevent, and respond to financial crime. By the end, you will better understand how financial crime operates in the digital age and how these insights apply to careers in investigation, compliance, and cybersecurity.

MET CS 684 Enterprise Cybersecurity Management

4 credits. Fall and Spring

This course covers important topics that students need to understand in order to effectively manage a successful cybersecurity and privacy program, including governance, risk management, asset classification and incidence response. Students are first introduced to cybersecurity & privacy policy frameworks, governance, standards, and strategy. Risk tolerance is critical when building a cybersecurity and privacy program that supports business goals and strategies. Risk management fundamentals and assessment processes will be reviewed in depth including the methodology for identifying, quantifying, mitigating and controlling risks. Asset classification and the importance of protecting Intellectual Property (IP) will prepare students to understand and identify protection mechanisms needed to defend against malicious actors, including industry competitors and nation states. Incident Response programs will cover preparation and responses necessary to triage incidents and respond quickly to limit damage from malicious actors.

Section A1, FALL 2026 Sep 2nd to Dec 10th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Campbell	Independent	W	06:00:00 PM–08:45:00 PM	MCS B37

Section O2, FALL 2026 Oct 27th to Dec 14th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Pak	Independent	ARR	12:00:00 AM–12:00:00 AM

MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations

4 credits. Fall and Spring

Provides a comprehensive understanding of digital forensics and investigation tools and techniques. Learn what computer forensics and investigation is as a profession and gain an understanding of the overall investigative process. Operating system architectures and disk structures are discussed. Studies how to set up an investigator's office and laboratory, as well as what computer forensic hardware and software tools are available. Other topics covered include importance of digital evidence controls and how to process crime and incident scenes, details of data acquisition, computer forensic analysis, e-mail investigations, image file recovery, investigative report writing, and expert witness requirements. Provides a range of laboratory and hands-on assignments either in solo or in teams. With rapid growth of computer systems and digital data this area has grown in importance. Prereq: Working knowledge of windows computers, including installing and removing software. Access to a PC meeting the minimum system requirements defined in the course syllabus.

Section E1, FALL 2026 Sep 2nd to Dec 10th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Arena	Independent	S	09:00:00 AM–12:00:00 PM	MET 101

Section O1, FALL 2026 Sep 1st to Oct 19th
Instructor	Type	Days	Times	Location
Navarro	Independent	ARR	12:00:00 AM–12:00:00 AM

Dates & Deadlines

View BU MET’s academic calendar for online programs, including important dates and deadlines.

Application Requirements

Learn about application requirements for BU MET graduate degree and certificate programs.

Professor Choi interacting with a class at Boston University

How You Benefit from a
Boston University Education

A BU credential can help lay the foundation for career advancement and personal success.

Benefit from a 24:1 average student-to-instructor ratio.
Engage with case studies, simulations using real data, and hands-on problem solving to develop practical skills you can immediately apply on the job.
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.
Network with a global community of criminal justice professionals.
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.

All graduate students are automatically considered for merit scholarships during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.

Rankings & Accreditations

U.S. News & World Report - Best Online Programs - Criminal Justice 2026

#5 in 2026, and top 6 since 2015

MET’s online master’s degree in criminal justice is ranked #5 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 2026.

U.S. News & World Report - Best Online Programs - Veterans - Criminal Justice - 2026

#8, Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs for Veterans

MET’s online master’s degree in criminal justice is ranked #8 in the nation for veterans and active-duty service members by U.S. News & World Report for 2026.

Graduate with Cybersecurity Expertise

In addition to the knowledge gained in the MSCJ core, students who complete the Criminal Justice master’s degree concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity will be able to:

Apply criminological and investigative principles to cybercrime cases by examining offender behavior, assessing investigative and jurisdictional challenges, and addressing the legal admissibility of digital evidence.
Apply digital forensic methods and industry standard tools to support cybercrime investigations and analyze digital evidence with professional-level competency.
Identify cybercrime and cybersecurity threats and evaluate appropriate responses through technological controls, investigative practices, policy considerations, and education or awareness strategies.

“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 Moynihan (MET’19)
Captain, Rhode Island State Police
MS, Criminal Justice, concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity

Advance Your Career

With cybercrime occurring globally, and across jurisdictions, the challenges for police are real, as is the need for specialized resources and expertise in cybercrime investigation training. The Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity concentration of BU MET’s MS in Criminal Justice focuses on developing the competency and practical knowledge needed to work with various issues related to cybercrime. In this program, you will gain insight into cybercriminology and the practical digital investigative knowledge, legal practices, and policies related to cybersecurity risk assessment. As a graduate, you will be eligible to take the forensic examiner certification exams.

You also have the option to complete both the Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity concentration and the Crime Analysis concentration by completing just ten courses (40 credits). See Dual Concentration for more information.

Recent graduates have found job opportunities and career paths in organizations such as:

Louisiana State Police
Pennsylvania State Police
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Wilmington Police Department
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
Capital One
Roger Williams University

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
United States Army
Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC)
United States Department of Justice (DOJ)
United States Department of State (DOS)

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.

Criminal Justice Faculty

Shea W. Cronin

Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice

Chair, Applied Social Sciences

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

Interested in Learning More?

MET Events

Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid

Recent News

Data Science Master's Prerequisites: How to Tell If You're Ready

One of the hardest questions for prospective data science students is also one of the most basic: am I actually ready for a master’s program? People often answer that question too narrowly. Some rule themselves out because their undergraduate degree was not in computer science, mathematics, or another technical field. Others may assume that professional […]

Data Analyst to Data Scientist: What Actually Changes in the Work

Most professionals who want to move from data analyst to data scientist already know how to work with data. They write SQL. They own recurring dashboards. They are the person leadership asks when a number looks strange. For some, the challenge is not competence but the possibility of reaching a ceiling in their current scope. […]

More Than a Virtual Class: How BU Virtual Brings the Classroom to Students Around the World

For a student logging into a live session in one of Boston University’s online graduate programs, the experience can look deceptively simple: a faculty member appears on screen, classmates join from around the world, and the class begins. What students don’t see is everything happening around that moment. Behind each live online class is a […]

Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity

At a Glance

Gain Expertise in Digital Crimefighting