Online Master of Arts in Intelligence Studies (MA)

This general concentration allows you to select from all the intelligence courses within this program, enabling you to create your own focused area of study.

Examines the historical roots of organized crime and its current role within the American criminal justice system. Provides an overview on U.S. counter-drug efforts and basic information on illicit drugs, with a focus on world regions where drugs are typically manufactured and transported. Teaches counterintelligence principles and criminal intelligence analysis for predicting trends, weaknesses, capabilities, intentions, changes, and warnings needed to dismantle criminal organizations.

Addresses the cyber discipline from a multidisciplinary perspective. Topics include current and historical structure, functions, and capabilities of private and governmental agencies comprising the cyber community; laws related to intellectual property, civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, and privacy; cybercrime investigation and prevention; and the ethical, economic, and societal issues that face today’s information-entrenched society.

Traces intelligence and homeland security processes in defending the U.S., such as the efforts to prevent, prepare, and respond to the use of weapons of mass destruction. Looks at: terrorist groups from different political psychological perspectives; threats to U.S. borders, such as illegal immigration, narcotics smuggling, and money laundering; and risk management in loss prevention.

Studies advanced intelligence analysis methods in composing professional and academic analyses on issues critical to intelligence community consumers. Topics include: an analysis of political leaders; an overview of transnational crime and narcotics and the effects on the political, social, and economic development of countries around the world; and the challenges and benefits of cyber intelligence operations.

Studies advanced intelligence data collection methods in supporting analyses on issues critical to intelligence community consumers. Analyzes the phases, processes, and challenges of cybercrime investigations, as well as U.S. and foreign aspects of counterintelligence and the technical, legal, and social issues relating to the search and seizure of digital evidence and computer forensics.

Lays the groundwork to understanding management principles in the intelligence community environment. Topics include: ethical dilemmas and conflicts in organizational settings; strategic planning techniques used by industrial companies; the evolution and philosophical foundation of the human resource field; methods of managing an organization; and human behavior principles in individual, group, team, and organizational settings.

Explores intelligence management skills required for leadership within the intelligence community. Examines covert action in the context of national security, including the political and executive aspects of the presidential powers involved. Addresses core elements of information operations, including the disciplines of electronic warfare (EW), computer network operations (CNO), psychological operations (PSYOP), and operations security (OPSEC).

Studies the causes and threats of domestic and international terrorism, including the threat of weapons of mass destruction as a unique phenomenon within the homeland security landscape. Also includes terrorist and extremist groups within the U.S., policies for combating terrorism and terrorist tactics worldwide, and various counterterrorism intelligence methodologies and analytic tools.