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Master of Arts in Intelligence Studies

 Graduate Catalog | Master's


The Master of Arts in Intelligence Studies provides professional, graduate-level academic education in the interdisciplinary field of intelligence studies.  The program's core courses impart substantive knowledge and analytic skills required by all professionals in the intelligence community.  Students may also pursue concentrated study in functional areas, regional studies, or intelligence sub-fields.  Student learning is greatly enhanced by the diversity of program professors with strong professional and academic backgrounds in intelligence studies, many who currently work in the US National Intelligence Community.  

Degree Program Objectives

In addition to the institutional and degree level outcome objectives, the Master of Intelligence Studies seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates.  Graduates in this degree program will be able to:

  • Examine the evolution, structures, functions, capabilities, and activities of the national intelligence community.
  • Explain the structures, functions, capabilities, and contributions of national intelligence consumers to include the national command authority, executive departments, Congress, military services, joint/unified commands, and law enforcement agencies.  
  • Appraise the intelligence cycle, including intelligence planning, data collection, data exploitation, analysis, production, and dissemination phases.
  • Investigate the fundamental capabilities, limitations, and means of tasking human, geographic/imagery, signals, measurement and technical and open intelligence data sources.
  • Assess and predict traditional and non-traditional threats to national and international security.
  • Conduct advanced research and compose professional and academic analyses on issues critical to intelligence consumers.
  • Evaluate the latest techniques and procedures for improving interagency cooperation and intelligence sharing.

Degree Program Requirements

Core Courses (15 semester hours)
Major Courses (12 semester hours)

All students must complete four courses within either the General Program or a concentration.  Students enrolled in a general program (no concentration) must take four courses from the General Program list.  Students enrolled in a concentration must complete four courses from within the concentration list.

General Program - For students who do not wish to seek a concentration.


Concentration in Competitive Intelligence
Concentration Objective
  
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to apply intelligence processes and procedures in the commercial community.


Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)

Select 9 hours from the following courses:

Concentration in Criminal Intelligence
Concentration Objective
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to apply intelligence processes and procedures in the criminal justice community.


Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)

Select 9 hours from the following:


Concentration in Homeland Security
Concentration Objective
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to apply intelligence processes and procedures in the defense of the US homeland.


Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)

Select 6 hours from the following courses:



Concentration in Information Warfare
Concentration Objective
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will have the ability to effectively influence behavior, deter or end conflict, and if required, to win a conflict rapidly and decisively with minimal loss of life and  assets.


Concentration Requirements (18 semester hours)

Concentration in Intelligence Analysis
Concentration Objective

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to apply advanced intelligence analysis methods in composing professional and academic analyses on issues critical to intelligence community consumers.


Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)

Select 9 hours from the following courses:


Concentration in Intelligence Collection
Contentration Objective
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to apply advanced intelligence data collection methods in supporting analyses on issues critical to intelligence community consumers.


Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)

Concentration in Intelligence Operations
Concentration Objective

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to employ intelligence management skills required by planning and management positions in the intelligence community.


Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)

Select 9 hours from the following courses:


Concentration in Middle Eastern Studies
Concentration Objective

Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able to appraise the contemporary threats to Middle Eastern societies and regional security.


Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)

Select 9 semester hours from the following:


Concentration in Political - Military Intelligence
Concentration Objective
Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able to appraise the contemporary threats to US national and international security.


Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)

Select 6 hours from the following courses:


Concentration in Terrorism Studies
Concentration Objective

Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able to appraise the causes of and threats from US domestic and international terrorism.


Concentration Requirements (12 semester hours)

Select 6 hours from the following courses:


Graduate Electives (9 semester hours)

From other courses not taken to meet required, core, or major requirements.


End of Program Requirement - Select either Comprehensive Exam OR Capstone

Total hours: 36 semester hours


 Graduate Catalog | Master's

AMU is a member institution of the American Public University System (APUS), which is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association and nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission, Distance Education and Training Council.
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