Become a digital crime fighter

University of Detroit Mercy's Master of Science in Cybercrime combines criminal justice studies with aspects of cybersecurity to provide a deeper understanding of digital forensics, cyber defense operations and computer networking for those coming from law enforcement, legal and private sector operational security backgrounds.

Critical Need

Internet-based crime is one of the fastest-growing security threats in the United States. The proliferation of crime perpetuated using the Internet and technology requires individuals to have both knowledge and capabilities in criminal justice and the technical abilities of cybersecurity to identify, respond and effectively handle data and countermeasures necessary to assist in the prosecution of cybercriminals.

Commitment to High Standards

The program is aligned with both the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's national cybersecurity strategies. In addition, to ensure the highest standards of quality, several sources were referenced for curriculum design including the National Security Agency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), Education for Justice (E4J) Initiative and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Unique Approach

Detroit Mercy's Master of Science in Cybercrime utilizes a unique approach with interdisciplinary collaboration between the University's Department of Criminal Justice and Department of Cybersecurity & Information Systems. Instruction is delivered via synchronous and asynchronous courses and may include video lectures and presentations, practice-based exercises and teaching modules.

Degree Requirements

Students enrolled in this program must successfully complete the required 10 courses representing 30 credit hours. This program is available online only.

To learn more or request information, email: clae@udmercy.edu.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes will be assessed through use of hands-on, experiential learning technical lab assignments, exams, service-learning assignments, individual and group projects, written reports and a comprehensive research project that will require students to demonstrate the cumulative knowledge, skills and abilities learned throughout the program.

1. Possess the capacity to evaluate, develop, and implement a legally sufficient and technology-based solution(s) to address cybercrime requirements in the context of the disciplinary standards of criminal justice, cybersecurity and digital forensics.
2. Have the ability to identify an emerging cybercrime threat, then analyze, develop and implement an appropriate law enforcement response and technology-based solution, focused on prevention, response, mitigation and resolution.
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply law enforcement and cybersecurity principles and practices in both the physical and cyberspace environments, while recognizing the human, social and economic impacts of the cybercrime threat.
4. Demonstrate the capacity to analyze and evaluate cybercrime threats with respect to developing, implementing and maintaining best operational practices in order to address the presence of risks and threats.
5. Develop critical thinking skills, analytic competencies, problem solving and professional abilities to be proficient in the arena related to prevention, mitigation, enforcement, investigation and prosecution of cybercrime.