Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Cybersecurity Concentration
At a Glance
- Flexibility to study online or on campus in Boston and on campus in the Washington, D.C. area
- Program can be completed in just one year
- Optional cooperative, research and internship opportunities
- Three opportunities to start the program each year: in the fall, spring, and summer
- The upcoming start date is September 9, 2026. We are now accepting applications.
- Tuition: $1,083 per credit hour; $34,656 total without a co-op experience
Courses taken at Northeastern University outside of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities are subject to different tuition rates. This includes courses in the cybersecurity concentration.
Careers in cybersecurity and criminal justice are growing. The Information Security Analyst role will see 29% job growth through 2034, which is much faster than the average compared to all careers.
Cybersecurity Concentration Overview
The Master of Science Criminal Justice Cybersecurity concentration provides students with multidisciplinary skills that are needed to analyze security risks, prevent intrusions in information systems, and become leaders in a rapidly growing field.
The cybersecurity concentration focuses on relevant coursework in criminal justice, criminology, and computer science. Students learn how to address challenges like identity theft and data breaches with a holistic, ethical approach. Graduates from this concentration can go on to pursue careers in setting digital information security policies, analyzing emerging threats, and strengthening law enforcement responses to cybercrime.
MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Get Started Now
Fill out the form to learn more and download a brochure about Northeastern University’s Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
You can also email publicaffairs@northeastern.edu or call us at +1 857.754.3734 to talk with one of our enrollment specialists.
Core Skills Learned
- Critically assess leading research findings and policy initiatives in the field of criminology and criminal justice
- Examine the role of information security in various domains including healthcare, scientific research, and personal communication such as email
- Understand security concepts related to information systems, including operating systems security, communications and network security, and software security
- Explore techniques used in computer forensic examinations including computer hardware, physical and logical disk structure, and computer forensic techniques
- Understand the art and science of computer program management leadership in the context of critical infrastructure protection programs
Courses
Required Course (4 Credit Hours)
Seeks to provide a systematic understanding of cyberspace technology and applications deployed in the global digital infrastructure. Covers topics in computer networks, server architectures, operating systems, and scripting. All the techniques and tools included in the course are oriented to serve as instruments of security administrators and cybersecurity professionals. Uses practical hands-on labs running on virtual machines and containers hosted in the cloud computing environment to train students. For that reason, a practical overview of virtualization technologies, containerization, and cloud computing models is provided.
Electives (8 Credit Hours)
Introduces students to the evidence-based paradigm in crime policy. Presents the theory and methods of the evidence-based paradigm, which places systematic research at the center of the policymaking process. Offers students an opportunity to further develop skills in critically assessing leading research findings and policy initiatives in the field of criminology and criminal justice.
Describes the legal and ethical issues associated with information security including access, use, and dissemination. Emphasizes legal infrastructure relating to information assurance, such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and Telecommunications Decency Act, and emerging technologies for management of digital rights. Examines the role of information security in various domains such as healthcare, scientific research, and personal communications such as email. Examines criminal activities such as computer fraud and abuse, desktop forgery, embezzlement, child pornography, computer trespass, and computer piracy.
Offers an intensive study of a topic related to criminal justice selected by the instructor. May be repeated up to four times.
Presents an overview of basic principles and security concepts related to information systems, including operating system security, communications and network security, and software security. Introduces information security via concepts of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Discusses ethical, legal, and privacy ramifications while reviewing various laws such as the Patriot Act, GLBA, and Global Data Privacy regulation. Covers security methods, controls, procedures, economics of cybercrime, criminal procedure, and forensics. Describes the use of cryptography as a tool, software development processes, and protection. Seeks to build a common cross-disciplinary understanding in the foundations of information assurance and cybersecurity.
Creates the opportunity for competency in the development of information security policies and plans including controls for physical, software, and networks. Discusses different malicious attacks, such as viruses and Trojan horses, detection strategies, countermeasures, damage assessment, and control. Covers information system risk analysis and management, audits, and log files. Uses case studies, site visits, and works with commercial products.
Designed to allow students to explore the techniques used in computer forensic examinations. Examines computer hardware, physical and logical disk structure, and computer forensic techniques. Conducts hands-on experiences on DOS, Windows operating systems, Macintosh, Novell, and Unix/Linux platforms. Builds on basic computer skills and affords hands-on experience with the tools and techniques to investigate, seize, and analyze computer-based evidence using a variety of specialized forensic software in an IBM-PC environment.
Focuses on the art and science of security program management leadership in the context of critical infrastructure protection programs. Includes selected readings, review of decision-making models in crisis, lectures and insights from accomplished leaders in infrastructure protection, and examination of the students’ own unique background and experiences. Trains students on the interaction of vulnerabilities, threats, and countermeasures and how to apply this knowledge to the protection of critical infrastructure using research and analysis of national and global strategies, historical and current legislation, and policies. Also seeks to give students a working knowledge of federal, state, and private-sector critical infrastructure protection resources and programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
While there is no required GPA for admission, the Graduate Admissions Committee prefers that prospective students apply with at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 are encouraged to speak with their enrollment specialist to discuss their application.
Graduates with a Master’s in Criminal Justice and Criminology with a concentration in cybersecurity are prepared for roles within law enforcement agencies, federal organizations like the FBI or Department of Homeland Security, financial institutions, and private sector firms, including:
- Cybercrime investigator
- Digital forensics analyst
- Cybersecurity policy advisor
- Intelligence analyst
- Compliance officer
Graduates may also find leadership roles in corporate security or risk management, as well as opportunities in academia or public policy research focused on emerging technology and crime.
Students must submit the following to be considered for admission:
- Personal statement
- Resumé or CV
- Academic transcripts
- Writing sample
- TOEFL/IELTS scores, if needed
Scholarships at the master’s level are awarded upon admission, based on the strength of the application as evaluated by the Admissions Committee.
The program does not offer formal assistantships. However, at the beginning of each semester, teaching and research positions are available on an hourly basis. These positions are competitive and are only awarded once students are enrolled in the program. Students are also encouraged to explore work-study opportunities within the university by contacting the Office of Student Employment.
Additionally, students may consider applying for Student Research Opportunities through the Center on Crime, Race, and Justice (CRJ).
For financial assistance, students are advised to contact Student Financial Services and submit an inquiry via the Student Financial Services Inquiry Form.
The GRE is not required for admission to the MS program. Students may submit GRE scores if they prefer, but applications without GRE scores will not be penalized.
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