Built for students from both technical and non-technical backgrounds, a master's degree in cyber criminology could launch or advance your career investigating or responding to cybercrime in law enforcement, government and private industry.
Master of Science in Cybercrime and Digital Investigation: Program Overview
Program Overview
Help Fight Cybercrime With Skills in Digital Investigation.
Built for students from both technical and non-technical backgrounds, a master's degree in cyber criminology could launch or advance your career investigating or responding to cybercrime in law enforcement, government and private industry.
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Fulfill an Immediate Need for Cybercriminology Professionals
According to the FBI, the American public reported a total of 800,944 cybercrime complaints in 2022. Losses from these cybercrimes exceeded $10.3 billion, a 49% increase from 2021.1
With your online master's degree in cybercrime and digital investigation, you can help identify and curb cybercrime with specialized skills in digital forensics. You'll also study contemporary cyber threats beyond the traditional economic forms of cybercrime and interpersonal online offending.
You can complete this 30-credit-hour cybercriminology master's degree program in just two years, and study with MSU's expert faculty in a flexible online format.
Career Outlook
MSU's online master's degree in cybercrime and digital investigation could lead to a career as a cybercrime investigator, financial investigator, counter-intelligence officer, federal agent, cyber-fraud investigator and more. You might also work in private security or policing.
According to PayScale, those with digital forensics skills make an average salary of $87,0002. Jobs in this field also boast some of the highest rates of job growth across all occupations. For example, the number of openings for information security analysts is expected to increase 32% by 2032, which is much faster than average.3
Curriculum: Study Contemporary Cybercriminology
At MSU, you'll gain a unique perspective focused on the human aspects of cybercrime, including the offenders, victims and threat response community. The 30-credit-hour, 10-course online master's degree also provides you an understanding of the threats posed by both cyberterror and cyberwarfare, as well as the legal frameworks used to prosecute cybercrimes at the state and federal level in the U.S. and beyond.
Curriculum: Study Contemporary Cybercriminology
At MSU, you'll gain a unique perspective focused on the human aspects of cybercrime, including the offenders, victims and threat response community. The 30-credit-hour, 10-course online master's degree also provides you an understanding of the threats posed by both cyberterror and cyberwarfare, as well as the legal frameworks used to prosecute cybercrimes at the state and federal level in the U.S. and beyond.
Admissions Requirements
The MSU School of Criminal Justice reviews applications multiple times a year. Your application must include:
- Completed application form
- 3.2 minimum GPA (GRE scores required for lower GPAs)
- Bachelor’s degree in any field (or international equivalent)
- Résumé (No work experience required)
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- All official transcripts
- International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores
Apply now to further your understanding of cybercrime and digital investigation and learn directly from an esteemed faculty of experts.
To see key dates and admissions deadlines visit our admissions page.
Tuition and Financial Aid
This 30-credit program costs $832 per credit hour (excludes course materials and other university-imposed taxes and fees). Learn more about your many options for financial aid and support.
Faculty: Learn From the Digital Investigation Experts
In MSU's online M.S. in Cybercrime and Digital Investigation, you'll study with professors whose research focuses on computer hacking, malware, terrorists’ and extremists’ use of the Internet, violent extremism, hate crime and computational social science. Our faculty have experience working for the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation and more.
Why Choose MSU School of
Criminal Justice Online?
Flexibility, Community and Support
As an online student with MSU, you can build strong connections with your instructors and fellow students. Benefit from high-quality curriculum and faculty support while maintaining your personal and professional commitments.
Ease and Affordability
At MSU, we strive to make our online degrees accessible and affordable. We can connect you with many forms of financial aid, including scholarships, loans, and military benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions may arise as you consider pursuing an online education. See our list of frequently asked questions about this degree, or call 1-833-725-1354 toll-free to speak with an MSU program manager directly.
You can complete this program in two years of continuous fall-spring-summer semester study.
With this degree, you can pursue a career as a digital forensic specialist, computer security specialist, forensic detective or seek a position in private security. You might also work in local, state or federal law enforcement as a cybercrime investigator. To learn more about what you can do with an M.S. in Cybercrime and Digital Investigation, visit our career outlook page.
MSU is one of the top research universities in the world and offers a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders. Additionally, the MSU School of Criminal Justice is ranked #6 for Best Online Masters in Criminal Justice Program and #9 Best Criminology Schools for 2023.
Though an undergraduate degree in computer security or information technology is helpful, you can join the M.S. in Cybercrime and Digital Investigation program after having completed a bachelor’s degree in any field. While we welcome those already employed in the field, you do not have to have prior field experience to be accepted.
While there are no official specializations in this program, you can select four electives that suit your professional goals and interests.
Learn more about your curriculum options.
This 30-credit program costs $832 per credit, for an estimated total cost of $24,960. Cost is subject to change without notice. To learn about additional costs to consider, visit the tuition and financial aid page.
SOURCES:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Internet Crime Complaint Center Releases 2022 Statistics.” Mar. 22, 2023. Retrieved Jan. 25, 2024, from https://www.fbi.gov/.
- PayScale. "Salary for Skill: Digital Forensics." Retrieved Jan. 25, 2025 from https://www.payscale.com.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Information Security Analysts." Sept. 6, 2023. Retrieved Jan. 31, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/.