The Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence and Analysis is designed for students who seek careers in the intelligence field, as well as professionals whose agencies or clientele are charged with the acquisition and interpretation of intelligence. The degree features courses in fundamental intelligence disciplines, such as analysis and epistemology, intelligence collection, and others. Every analyst in the Intelligence Community is expected to be proficient in 6 core competencies. The competencies enumerated by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) are as follows:
- Engagement and Collaboration
- Critical Thinking
- Personal Leadership and Integrity
- Accountability for Results
- Technical Expertise
- Communication
The program focuses on summarizing psychological theories relevant to critical thinking and analytical techniques, demonstrating knowledge, through examination procedures, of the major theories and research findings in intelligence analysis, becoming familiar with analytical literature through independent reading, and applying analytical techniques and theories to problem sets. The Master’s in Strategic Intelligence and Analysis prepares the next generation of intelligence analysts for leadership roles in the public and private sectors.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Required Courses
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
SIA 6000 | Psychology of Intelligence Analysis | 4 |
SIA 6010 | Intelligence Operations Management | 4 |
SIA 6020 | Globalization and Intelligence Issues | 4 |
SIA 6030 | Intelligence Analysis and Policy Relationship | 4 |
CJS 6125 | National Security—Law and Policy | 3 |
Capstone
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| 4 |
| Topics in Strategic Intelligence and Analysis | |
| Thesis (Please Note: Students that are interested in taking SIA 7990 need to first take and pass GST 6109 Basic Field Research) | |
Concentrations
Complete one of the following concentrations:
Analysis for Homeland Security
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
HLS 6030 | Intelligence for Homeland Security | 3 |
HLS 6020 | Technology for Homeland Security | 3 |
HLS 6010 | Contemporary Threats to Homeland Security | 3 |
HLS 6050 | Multidisciplinary Approaches to Homeland Security | 3 |
GST 6300 | Security and Terrorism | 4 |
Intelligence Community Operations and Analysis
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
SIA 6040 | Interagency Collaboration | 4 |
SIA 6050 | All-Source Intelligence | 4 |
SIA 6060 | Human Intelligence Operations | 4 |
SIA 6070 | Analysis for Counterterrorism | 4 |
Remote Sensing
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
RMS 5105 | Fundamentals of Remote Sensing | 3 |
RMS 6110 | Introduction to Machine Learning for Image Data | 3 |
| 12 |
| Unmanned Aerial Systems for Geospatial Analysts | |
| Remote Sensing and Global Change | |
| Introduction to Radar and LiDAR Remote Sensing | |
| Spatial Analytics for Vegetation and Precision Agriculture | |
| Remote Sensing for Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management | |
| Remote Sensing for Disaster Management | |
| Automated Feature Extraction for the Geospatial Professional | |
| Spectroscopic Image Analysis | |
| Crisis Mapping for Humanitarian Action | |
Electives
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| 6-8 |
| Culture and Psychology | |
| Law and Psychology | |
| Intelligence Collection | |
| Security and Terrorism | |
| Foundations of Information Security | |
| Risk Management | |
| Interdisciplinary Foundations | |
| Leadership for Intelligence Professionals | |
| Basic Field Research Methods | |
| Regional Studies: East Asia | |
| Regional Studies: Middle East | |
| Regional Studies: Sub-Saharan Africa | |
| Regional Studies: Europe | |
| Regional Studies: Southwest and Central Asia | |
| Regional Studies: Latin America | |
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
45 total quarter hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required