Master of Science in Cybercrime and Digital Investigation: Career Outlook

Fulfill an immediate need for professionals trained to address cybercrime.

Michigan State University's online cybercrime master's degree program is ideal for those without computer science/IT backgrounds who would like to launch or advance a career investigating or responding to cybercrime in law enforcement, government and private industry. The cybercriminology master's program can elevate your salary potential, lead to opportunities for advancement or help you switch careers.

  • Combat cybercrime losses: the American public lost over $10.3 billion as a result of cybercrime in 2022, according to the FBI.1

  • Benefit from MSU’s partnerships with the Department of Homeland Security, the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center, the MSU Police and more.

  • Join MSU's 80-year legacy of criminal justice education delivered by experts.

After graduating with your online MS in Cybercrime and Digital Investigation, you'll be prepared to assess cyber threats, understand their impact on various targets, investigate the limits of current legal and cybersecurity policy and practice and clearly communicate these concerns to diverse audiences.

Information Security Analyst

$112,000/year2

Information security analysts work to protect an organization's computer systems and databases. In this job, you would identify potential security risks and work to prevent security breaches and attacks.

Federal Special Agent

$89,934/year3

Special agents enforce and investigate violations of federal laws. As a special agent working in cybercrime, you would collect and organize data pertinent to digital investigations.

Detective or Criminal Investigator

$86,280/year4

As a detective or criminal investigator specializing in cyber criminology and cybersecurity, you could lead and direct investigations involving digital devices and records.

Additional roles for graduates with an online master's degree in Cybercrime and Digital Investigation include:

  • Criminal investigator
  • Cybercrime investigator
  • Cyber fraud investigator
  • Financial investigator
  • Forensic detective
  • Local law enforcement
  • Private security
  • State law enforcement

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Seek Positions Related to Cybercrime Investigation and Incident Response

When you complete this program, you will be able to:

  • Explain the four forms of cybercrime, cyberterror, cyberwarfare and their impacts on individuals, organizations and government

  • Explain the legal frameworks used to prosecute cybercrimes at the state and federal level in the U.S., as well as comparative legal models used to criminalize these behaviors in other nations

  • Understand the local, state and federal law enforcement agencies responsible for policing cybercrime, as well as the role of private industry in affecting these offenses

  • Collect, query, manage and analyze data using applicable tools and techniques

  • Summarize and communicate information about cybercrime and cybersecurity threats to diverse audiences

Build Your Career Network

MSU offers many options for students to find and prepare for future careers in criminal justice:

Alumni Connections

Connect with a vast network of alumni to get a glimpse of the different careers available after earning your degree.

Internships

Work as an intern at an approved criminal justice agency and receive academic credit.

Criminal Justice Career Fair

Join your criminal justice classmates and 70–80 criminal justice agencies at MSU’s annual career fair.

Career Advising

Leverage career advice from experts before you graduate so that you’re prepared to take that next step.

SOURCES:

  1. Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Internet Crime Complaint Center Releases 2022 Statistics.” Mar. 22, 2023. Retrieved Jan. 25, 2024, from https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/springfield/news/internet-crime-complaint-center-releases-2022-statistics.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Information Security Analysts.” Sept. 6, 2023. Retrieved Jan. 24, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm.
  3. PayScale. “Average Special Agent (Federal) Salary.” Retrieved Jan. 24, 2024 from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Special_Agent_(Federal)/Salary.
  4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Police and Detectives.” Sept. 6, 2023. Retrieved Jan. 24, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm.