Boston University Metropolitan College

Advance your career in a rapidly growing field with a master’s degree or graduate certificate in Crime Analysis

Develop essential skills to succeed in one of the fastest growing professions with a graduate certificate or master’s degree from a top-ranked research university. Study online or on campus, full- or part-time. No GRE/GMAT required.

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Find out how our graduate programs in Crime Analysis provide affordable, flexible options. Get news and invitations to upcoming information sessions. Connect with a BU advisor.

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It’s a different world out there. Digital crimes are on the rise, and agencies struggle to outsmart perpetrators. Massive amounts of crime and intelligence data, much of it generated in real time, require expert analysis skills for the entire chain of command. Law enforcement agencies need fresh vision and skilled leadership to develop accountability systems, build public trust, and ensure evidence-based practices. There’s a lot to do.

If you’re looking to become a leader in criminal justice, Boston University Metropolitan College’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Crime Analysis Concentration or Graduate Certificate in Crime Analysis will get you there. Focused on practical, insightful, and adaptable knowledge, the tools and skills you learn in the program can be immediately applied on the job while remaining relevant, useful, and valuable for years to come. Take a look.

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

#5 Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs

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

PROGRAMS

Here’s what you need to know

BU MET has the right crime analysis program to bring your career to the next level.

MS in Criminal Justice, Crime Analysis Concentration

(32 units, online and on campus)

The proliferation of data generated by surveillance cameras, body cams, GPS, mobile devices, social media, email and text exchanges, wearable tech, sensors, and other sources has enhanced the potential to map hotspots, discern patterns and trends, gather evidence, solve crimes, and demonstrate results. Having the skills to analyze this data is critical for tactical, operational, and strategic efforts in law enforcement, and essential to research and policy development and reform.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice, concentration in Crime Analysis at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) develops your expertise in using and analyzing a variety of data sources to inform the investigations, strategies, and policy decisions of criminal justice organizations. If you want to master the skills that are crucial to a growing field within law enforcement and related domains in criminal justice, the Crime Analysis concentration is for you.

The degree program provides you with a set of courses that further develops your ability to use and analyze a variety of data sources to inform the investigations, strategies, and policy decisions of criminal justice organizations. This set of skills is crucial to a growing field within law enforcement and related domains in criminal justice.

Data-driven and intelligence-led approaches to crime have become the standard among contemporary criminal justice organizations. The concentration prepares students to fill in-house crime analyst roles or similar positions, while strengthening the skills of students working in investigations, management, and operations to utilize analysis more effectively.

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

- Understand the wide variety of data sources available for crime and intelligence analysis, including the methods of data collection, uses, strengths, and limitations.
- Prepare different sources of data for analysis (e.g., data reorganization, matching) for use in analysis processes.
- Conduct analysis using a variety of different techniques, including mapping and spatial analysis and other advanced techniques.
- Incorporate analyses into effective written and oral reports that are useful to investigation, strategy, and policy decisions within law enforcement organizations.
- Comprehend the ethical and legal rules and values that govern crime analysis within law enforcement organizations operating in a democratic society.
- Inform effective data-driven or intelligence-led investigations, strategies, and policies based on awareness of contemporary law enforcement and security approaches.

Graduate Certificate in Crime Analysis

(16 units, online and on campus)

Metropolitan College’s Graduate Certificate in Crime Analysis will prepare you to:

Understand the wide variety of data sources available for crime and intelligence analysis, including the methods of data collection, uses, strengths, and limitations.
Assemble different sources of data for use in analysis processes (e.g., data reorganization, matching).
Conduct analysis using a variety of different techniques, including mapping and spatial analysis and other advanced methods.
Incorporate analyses into effective written and oral reports that are useful to investigation, strategy, and policy decisions within law enforcement organizations.
Comprehend the ethical and legal rules and values that govern crime analysis within law enforcement organizations operating in a democratic society.
Inform effective data-driven or intelligence-led investigations, strategies, and policies based on awareness of contemporary law enforcement and security approaches.

Program Highlights

BU’s Criminal Justice program has been top 5 since 2015. Here are a few reasons why:

Flexibility

Study at the pace that works for you, evenings on campus or fully online. Courses begin fall, spring, and summer; online courses have 2 starts per term.

Affordability

MET offers merit scholarships to help finance your degree. No GRE or GMAT required.

24:1 Class Ratio

Enjoy an exceptional student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring close interaction with faculty and access to the support you need to thrive.

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.

Active Learning

Case studies, real data simulations, and hands-on problem solving are used to develop practical skills that can immediately be applied on the job.

Breadth

The program draws upon a wide variety of disciplines, including criminology, crime analysis, cybersecurity, law, management, psychology, public health, and sociology.

Ongoing Support

You’ll find support whenever you need it through assistantships, academic advising, and career resources.

Engaged, connected 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.

The Boston University reputation

When you have a degree from Boston University, that means something. Named to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), BU is one of the top research universities in the United States and Canada. And as a graduate, you’ll be able to take that name with you. Always.

A city unlike any other

There’s a reason we’re called Boston University. Hip neighborhoods, soaring skyscrapers, championship sports teams, and rich history and culture. When you’re at BU, you’re at the heart of it all. And because we’re right in Boston, you’ll have a wealth of opportunities to consider for your field of study or area of special interest.

Career Outlook

BU MET—For those who want to lead

Earning a graduate certificate or master’s degree in Criminal Justice has propelled our graduates to positions far and wide.

Recent graduates have established their careers at:

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)

Potential careers:

Cybersecurity Analyst
Criminal Investigator
Crime Analyst
Program Specialist
Law Enforcement Supervisor/Manager/Leader
Policy Analyst
Security Management
Research Associate
Criminologist

Outlook:

Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 32% from 2018 to 2028, with demand expected to grow much faster than average.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

$78,980

Median annual wage for those employed in criminal justice May 2022

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

“Employment of private detectives and investigators is projected to grow 8% from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. Demand will stem from security concerns and from the need to protect confidential information. Strong competition can be expected for jobs.”

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

I researched dozens of schools and (made) pro/con lists, comparing the merits of a brick-and-mortar program to the merits of an online program, and reviewing power rankings prepared by trusted evaluators such as U.S. News & World Report and the Wall Street Journal. I chose BU MET because it had everything I was looking for in a graduate program: world-renowned instructors, detailed focus on relevant subject matter (that is, topics relevant to current or recent criminal justice cases), and rave reviews by former students.

Madeleine Nay (MET’18)

Gang Intelligence Technician, Gang Intelligence Operations, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

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.

Daisy Lui (MET’17)

Criminal Intelligence Analyst, Calgary Police Service

Completing [MET’s Graduate Certificate in Crime Analysis] 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.

Caitlin Kloess (MET’22)

Crime Analyst, Denver Police Department

My time at MET changed my life. I would not be getting a PhD in my dream field if it wasn’t for my experience at MET. My writing improved significantly, as did my data analysis abilities. Dr. Mastrorilli and Dr. Cronin helped me every step of the way and kept their door open for me constantly. They pushed me to think outside the box and to try and figure out solutions on my own. I know they will be lifelong connections.

Katherine Limoncelli (MET’18)

Applied Justice Research Fellowship at the Vera Institute of Justice; Doctoral Student of Criminal Justice at John Jay

Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).

Advance your career in a rapidly growing field with a master’s degree or graduate certificate in Crime Analysis

Ready to advance your career?

Here’s what you need to know

Is one of BU’s Crime Analysis programs right for you?

BU’s Criminal Justice program has been top 5 since 2015. Here are a few reasons why:

Ready to advance your career?

BU MET—For those who want to lead

Recent graduates have established their careers at:

Potential careers:

Outlook:

$78,980

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