The Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies is designed to enhance your ability to research, analyze, and convert data into clear and coherent intelligence. This online bachelor’s degree focuses on national and international intelligence operations, analysis, ethics, collection methods, research, and counterintelligence. This degree program is helpful if you are currently employed in the intelligence field, or are interested in military, civilian, or corporate intelligence specialists fields.
Core courses in this program impart substantive knowledge and analytic skills required by all professionals in the intelligence community, while the concentration choices enable you to focus on a functional area or intelligence sub-field. This degree program is taught by highly credentialed and experienced instructors, many who hold key positions in government agencies or other intelligence organizations.
Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Describe the evolution, structures, functions, capabilities, and activities of the U.S. national intelligence community.
- Detail 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.
- Specify the intelligence cycle including intelligence planning, data collection, data exploitation, analysis, production, and dissemination phases.
- Differentiate among the fundamental capabilities and limitations and means of tasking human, geographic/imagery, signals, measurement and technical and open intelligence data sources.
- Detail the current permissions and restrictions on U.S. national intelligence community activities as prescribed by federal law, executive and agency directives, and the intelligence oversight system.
- Conduct basic research and compose professional and academic analyses on issues critical to intelligence consumers.
Degree at a Glance
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 30 | |
| Major Required | 27 | |
| Select one of the following concentrations: | 15 | |
| Final Program Requirements | 3 | |
| Elective Requirements | 45 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 120 | |
Degree Program Requirements
General Education Requirements (30 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities (6 semester hours) | ||
| Select 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Arabic I | ||
| Arabic II | ||
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Survey of Photography | ||
| Film and Literature | ||
| Image Enhancement using Adobe Photoshop® | ||
| French I | ||
| French II | ||
| German I | ||
| German II | ||
| Introduction to Japanese | ||
| Literature of American Encounters, Revolution, and Rebellion | ||
| From Abolition to #MeToo: Literature of the American Civil Rights Movement | ||
| Pivotal Figures in Early British Literature | ||
| British Literature from Wordsworth through the Wasteland | ||
| Leadership in World Literature: Antiquity to the Early Modern Period | ||
| Literature of the Newly Globalized World: The Individual’s Struggle to Adapt | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Jazz and Rock | ||
| World Music and Cultures | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Critical Thinking | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Philosophy of Science | ||
| Introduction to Brazilian Portuguese | ||
| Introduction to the Study of Religion | ||
| Introduction to World Religions | ||
| Russian I | ||
| Spanish I | ||
| Spanish II | ||
| Thinking and Acting Ethically | ||
| Civics, Political and Social Sciences (6 semester hours) | ||
| Select 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Anthropology | ||
| World Archaeology | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Planning Your Future with Purpose in Security & Global Studies | ||
| Social Media and Society | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Microeconomics | ||
| Macroeconomics | ||
| Humane Education: A Global Interdisciplinary Perspective | ||
| Introduction to Geography | ||
| Practical Food Safety and Awareness | ||
| International Relations I | ||
| Forgotten America--Under Represented Cultures in American Literature | ||
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| American Government I | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Death and Dying | ||
| Race & Religion | ||
| Hope and Resilience | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| American Popular Culture | ||
| Exploring Society and Cultures via Science Fiction | ||
| Communication: Writing, Oral, and Multimedia (9 semester hours) | ||
| COMM120 | Information and Digital Literacy | 3 |
| ENGL110 | Making Writing Relevant | 3 |
| IRLS200 | Information Literacy and Global Citizenship | 3 |
| History (3 semester hours) | ||
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
| American History to 1877 | ||
| American History since 1877 | ||
| World Civilization before 1650 | ||
| World Civilization since 1650 | ||
| Western Civilization before The Thirty Years War | ||
| Western Civilization since The Thirty Years War | ||
| African-American History before 1877 | ||
| African-American History since 1877 | ||
| History of the American Indian | ||
| History of Science | ||
| The History and Context of STEM | ||
| Mathematics and Applied Reasoning (3 semester hours) | ||
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| College Trigonometry | ||
| Pre-Calculus | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Math for Liberal Arts Majors | ||
| Calculus | ||
| Natural Sciences (3 semester hours) | ||
| Select 1 course from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Biology | ||
| Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology | ||
| Introduction to Chemistry | ||
| Introduction to Meteorology | ||
| Introduction to Geology | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Science | ||
| Introduction to Physics | ||
| Introduction to Astronomy | ||
| Introduction to STEM Disciplines | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 30 | |
| 1 | All literature courses require successful completion of ENGL101 - Proficiency in Writing or ENGL110 - Making Writing Relevant. |
Major Required (27 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTL200 | Introduction to Intelligence Studies | 3 |
| INTL301 | U.S. Intelligence Community | 3 |
| IRLS210 | International Relations I | 3 |
| SSGS300 | Research Design and Methods | 3 |
| INTL304 | Intelligence Collection | 3 |
| INTL305 | Law and Ethics in Intelligence | 3 |
| INTL401 | Critical Analysis | 3 |
| INTL434 | Threat Analysis | 3 |
| INTL443 | Foreign Intelligence Organizations | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 27 | |
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program and may select from a General Concentration, Concentration in Asian Area Studies, Concentration in Counterintelligence, Concentration in Criminal Intelligence, Concentration in Cyber, Concentration in Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), Concentration in Intelligence Analysis, Concentration in Intelligence Collection, Concentration in Intelligence Operations, Concentration in Latin America Area Studies, Concentration in Middle East Area Studies, or the Concentration in Terrorism Studies.
General Concentration (15 semester hours)
A general concentration allows you to take courses across a number of areas of study within your program based on your own interests.
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5 courses from the following: | 15 | |
| Intelligence and Homeland Security | ||
| Intelligence Analysis | ||
| Counterintelligence Operations | ||
| Counterintelligence Analysis | ||
| Counterintelligence | ||
| Espionage/Counterespionage | ||
| Denial and Deception | ||
| Applied Geospatial Intelligence | ||
| Signals Intelligence and Security | ||
| Open Source Collection | ||
| Human Intelligence | ||
| Interrogation | ||
| Criminal Intelligence Analysis | ||
| Geographic Information Systems I | ||
| Geographic Information Systems II | ||
| Cyber Warfare | ||
| Tactical Intelligence | ||
| Intelligence and Narcotics | ||
| Terrorism and Counterterrorism | ||
| Terrorism and U.S. National Security | ||
| Illicit Finance | ||
| Forecasting Terrorism | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Asian Area Studies (15 semester hours)
Takes an in-depth look at Asia, including its security issues and the role of intelligence within the region. Topics include analysis techniques, including hypothesis generation, red-teaming, and adversarial collaboration; and the conflict between traditional norms and modern institutions.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze the role Intelligence plays within a specific country or region.
- Examine the impact of US policy on the region.
- Assess the security issues of the region.
- Explain the role of religion in the political, economic, and cultural life of the area.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTL402 | Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Political Geography | ||
| Comparative Political Systems | ||
| Introduction to Human Security | ||
| Asian Politics | ||
| Environmental Security | ||
| Comparative Foreign Policy | ||
| Buddhism | ||
| East Asian Religions | ||
| South Asian Religions | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Counterintelligence (15 semester hours)
Demonstrates U.S. intelligence agencies use of counterintelligence and covert action to guard America's global interests and protect national security. Examines the counterintelligence professional’s role in overt and covert operations, and delves into research methods and tools used in counterintelligence.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Acquire a general knowledge of Counterintelligence research, analysis, and operations.
- Analyze threats in the counterintelligence arena.
- Examine the role of the Counterintelligence professional in both overt and covert operational styles.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of selected research methods and tools as they pertain to the counterintelligence environment.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5 courses from the following: | 15 | |
| Counterintelligence Operations | ||
| Counterintelligence Analysis | ||
| Counterintelligence | ||
| Espionage/Counterespionage | ||
| Denial and Deception | ||
| Open Source Collection | ||
| Human Intelligence | ||
| Interrogation | ||
| Cyber Warfare | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Criminal Intelligence (15 semester hours)
Addresses intelligence processes and procedures in criminal justice, various techniques used to understand violence, and the differences between crime, war, and terrorism. Covers criminal intelligence analysis and strategic organized crime; cyber warfare’s use in military, terrorist, and, criminal organizations; and the illegal drug trade’s impact on national security and intelligence gathering.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Explain intelligence processes and procedures in the criminal justice community.
- Analyze the differences between crime, war, and terrorism.
- Evaluate the various techniques and methodologies used within the Criminal Justice community to understand the different aspects of violence and accomplish their goals.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTL402 | Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| INTL431 | Criminal Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| Select 3 courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Law Enforcement Intelligence Applications | ||
| Criminal Profiling | ||
| Criminology | ||
| Crime Analysis | ||
| International Criminal Organizations | ||
| Cyber Warfare | ||
| Intelligence and Narcotics | ||
| Illicit Finance | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Cyber (15 semester hours)
Offers an overview of cyber warfare and the potential impact of its use by military, terrorist, and criminal organizations, as well as the various methods of collection and analysis. Looks at the use of strategic and operational level communications (COMINT) and electronics (ELINT) intelligence. Topics also include the change in laws to account for crimes in the digital age.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze advanced intelligence data collection methods in supporting analyses on issues critical to intelligence community consumers.
- Examine the full spectrum of the intelligence collection cycle and articulate effectively intelligence needs in future collection planning.
- Assess the range of collection methods being used to fill intelligence gaps as well as the potential impact of future collection systems and capabilities and their ability to satisfy customers' intelligence requirements.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTL421 | Signals Intelligence and Security | 3 |
| INTL422 | Open Source Collection | 3 |
| INTL440 | Cyber Warfare | 3 |
| Select 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Criminal Justice Administration | ||
| Networking Concepts | ||
| Computer Forensics | ||
| Computer and Network Security | ||
| Information Security | ||
| Cybercrime | ||
| Cybersecurity | ||
| Law, Privacy, and Digital Data | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) (15 semester hours)
Within this concentration students will gain foundational knowledge on the use and application of geospatial intelligence. Students will complete a variety of applied assignments that will require the use of geospatial intelligence tools to complete their work. Upon completion of the program students will have received instruction on core competencies specific to geospatial collection and analysis.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze threats using tools and techniques specific to geospatial analysis.
- Examine the role of geospatial intelligence within the intelligence cycle.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of selected research methods and tools as they pertain to geospatial intelligence.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5 courses from the following: | 15 | |
| Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems I | ||
| Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems II | ||
| Applied Geospatial Intelligence | ||
| Geographic Information Systems I | ||
| Geographic Information Systems II | ||
| Intelligence Analysis | ||
| Open Source Collection | ||
| Tactical Intelligence | ||
| Cyber Warfare | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Intelligence Analysis (15 semester hours)
Provides an understanding of how to interpret information generated from a variety of different organizations and sources into a highly cogent and professional intelligence product. Explores using existing knowledge to find meaning behind what is not immediately apparent to forecast events or consequences and draw conclusions with a high degree of reliability and precision.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Examine advanced intelligence analysis methods in composing professional and academic analyses on issues critical to intelligence community consumers.
- Evaluate and interpret information generated from a variety of different organizations and sources into a highly cogent and professional intelligence product.
- Employ a broad, subtle, and nuanced understanding of existing knowledge to find meaning behind what is not immediately apparent to forecast events or consequences and draw conclusions with a high degree of reliability and precision.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTL402 | Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Counterintelligence Analysis | ||
| Denial and Deception | ||
| Applied Geospatial Intelligence | ||
| Open Source Collection | ||
| Criminal Intelligence Analysis | ||
| Geographic Information Systems I | ||
| Geographic Information Systems II | ||
| Intelligence and Narcotics | ||
| Terrorism and Counterterrorism | ||
| Illicit Finance | ||
| Forecasting Terrorism | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Intelligence Collection (15 semester hours)
Considers collective methods used to fill gaps in intelligence, as well as the potential impacts of future collection systems and their ability to satisfy intelligence requirements. Also covers: the full spectrum of the intelligence collection cycle; intelligence needs in future collection planning; and advanced methods of collecting data to support intelligence community consumers.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze advanced intelligence data collection methods in supporting analyses on issues critical to intelligence community consumers.
- Examine the full spectrum of the intelligence collection cycle and articulate effectively intelligence needs in future collection planning.
- Assess the range of collection methods being used to fill intelligence gaps as well as the potential impact of future collection systems and capabilities and their ability to satisfy customers' intelligence requirements.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5 courses from the following: | 15 | |
| Counterintelligence | ||
| Denial and Deception | ||
| Applied Geospatial Intelligence | ||
| Signals Intelligence and Security | ||
| Open Source Collection | ||
| Human Intelligence | ||
| Interrogation | ||
| Cyber Warfare | ||
| Tactical Intelligence | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Intelligence Operations (15 semester hours)
Surveys the nature and challenges to military planning of operations other than war, such as peacekeeping operations, low-intensity conflicts, and humanitarian relief efforts. Looks into ways to facilitate cooperation with others across the intelligence community, as well as intelligence management skills necessary for planning, management, and leadership positions.
Objectives
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.
- Identify ways to facilitate cooperation with other individuals and organizations across the intelligence community to advance projects and corporate goals.
- Examine the nature and challenges to military planning of combined operations and operations other than war including peacekeeping operations, low intensity conflicts, and humanitarian relief operations.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5 courses from the following: | 15 | |
| Intelligence and Homeland Security | ||
| Counterintelligence Operations | ||
| Counterintelligence | ||
| Espionage/Counterespionage | ||
| Denial and Deception | ||
| Cyber Warfare | ||
| Tactical Intelligence | ||
| Intelligence and Narcotics | ||
| Illicit Finance | ||
| Environmental Security | ||
| Principles of Peacekeeping | ||
| Peacekeeping Logistics | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Latin America Area Studies (15 semester hours)
Explores the politics, cultures, history, and predominant language of Latin America, as well as U.S. intelligence operations there to guard America's global interests and protect national security. Topics include security issues in the region and the part intelligence plays in the war on drugs.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze the role Intelligence plays in the War on Drugs.
- Examine the impact of U.S. policy on the region.
- Assess the security issues of the region.
- Explain the role of the political, economic, and cultural life of the area.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTL402 | Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| Select 4 courses from the following: | 12 | |
| History of Latin America | ||
| Intelligence and Narcotics | ||
| Political Geography | ||
| Comparative Political Systems | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| Introduction to Human Security | ||
| Environmental Security | ||
| Comparative Foreign Policy | ||
| Spanish I | ||
| Spanish II | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Middle East Area Studies (15 semester hours)
Delves into the intelligence community and its relationship to the Middle East through the region’s language, politics, history, and culture. Topics include a study of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; major Middle Eastern literary works dating back to ancient times; the origins and evolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict; and past and present U.S. foreign policy in the Muslim world.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze the role Intelligence plays within a specific country or region.
- Examine the impact of U.S. policy on the region.
- Assess the security issues of the region.
- Explain the role of religion in the political, economic, and cultural life of the area.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTL402 | Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| ARAB100 | Arabic I | 3 |
| Select 3 courses from the following: | 9 | |
| History of the Middle East | ||
| Political Geography | ||
| Global Politics of Islam | ||
| Government & Security in the Middle East | ||
| Arab-Israeli Conflict: Contemp. Politics & Dipl. | ||
| Politics and Security in the Persian Gulf | ||
| Flowers Bloom in the Desert: Literature of the Middle East | ||
| Religions of the Middle East | ||
| Islam | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Concentration in Terrorism Studies (15 semester hours)
Evaluates leading terrorist organizations and their agendas, as well as the causes of and threats from domestic and international terrorism. Explores information sharing limits under the PATRIOT Act and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act. Teaches how to identify the leading terrorist organizations, understand their agendas, and develop the critical thinking skills and methodological techniques to defeat them.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Appraise the causes of and threats from U.S. domestic and international terrorism.
- Analyze the limits of information sharing under the guidelines of both the U.S. PATRIOT Act and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act.
- Identify the leading terrorist organizations, understand their agendas, and develop the critical thinking skills and methodological techniques to defeat them.
Concentration Requirements (15 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5 courses from the following: | 15 | |
| Intelligence Analysis | ||
| Criminal Intelligence Analysis | ||
| Cyber Warfare | ||
| Intelligence and Narcotics | ||
| Terrorism and Counterterrorism | ||
| Terrorism and U.S. National Security | ||
| Illicit Finance | ||
| Psychology of Terrorism | ||
| Global Terrorism | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 15 | |
Final Program Requirements (3 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTL498 | Senior Seminar in Intelligence Studies (to be taken as the last course before graduation) 1 | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 3 | |
| 1 | Prerequisite: Senior Standing and completion of all major courses prior to enrollment. |
Elective Requirements (45 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select any courses not already taken to fulfill the requirements listed above. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major. | 45 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 45 | |