APPLIED INTELLIGENCE / SECURITY AND INTELIGENCE STUDIES
There is a growing demand of trained intelligence analysts in federal national security agencies, private defense contractors, law enforcement agencies, businesses and non-government organizations. Not surprisingly, many universities now offer courses in Applied Intelligence. The emphasis though varies significantly across universities, which means that students have a wide range of choices. While some have a government focus, others cover even organized crime and its impact on a nation.
The Mercyhurst University has a Masters in Applied Intelligence which is designed in a theoretical and practical framework for the study of intelligence and its application in a wide variety of contexts. (http://www.mercyhurst.edu/academics/graduate-programs/graduate-degrees-and-certificates-intelligence-studies/applied-0) After completing the course there are wide variety of employment options available in this area like “intelligence analysts, intelligence officers, special agents, social media analysts, anti-money laundering/know-your-customer analysts, market research analysts, threat intelligence analysts, police officers, management consultants, cyber security threat analysts, business continuity analysts in addition to many others.” (http://www.mercyhurst.edu/academics/graduate-programs/graduate-degrees-and-certificates-intelligence-studies/applied-0)
The Georgetown University offers Master’s in Applied Intelligence program which prepares students “to navigate the technology-driven intelligence landscape by acquiring the critical analysis and communication skills needed for success in this industry.” The course deals with the “oral and written communication skills in applied intelligence and focuses on homeland security, law enforcement, and competitive business intelligence.” (https://scs.georgetown.edu/programs/423/master-of-professional-studies-in-applied-intelligence/). Similar to this the university has a Master’s degree program in Security Studies Program (SSP) also. The King’s College London runs MA in Intelligence and International Security which “examines the trends that continue to shape intelligence and geo-strategic developments in the 21st century.” The university “aim to provide a framework in which to understand the nature and role of intelligence in its relationship to wider issues in war and international security; an understanding of the processes, practices and institutions that have characterised intelligence in the modern era; an understanding of the problems connected with intelligence collection, assessment and ability to predict events in world affairs; and an appreciation of the particular ethical concerns generated by intelligence related phenomena.” (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-courses/intelligence-and-international-security-ma.aspx). The Angelo State University offers Master of Security Studies (M.S.S.) in Intelligence, Security Studies and Analysis. It “addresses the growing need for graduate-level study in the intelligence discipline and its relationships to national security issues such as: Policy making, Military strategy, planning and operations, Constitutional issues, The rule of law in a democracy.” (https://www.angelo.edu/content/profiles/2431-intelligence-security-studies-and-analysis-masters/Templates/profiles-graduate-programs#contact). The Penn State University offers Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security – Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Option. “The GEOINT option within the intercollege Master of Professional Studies (iMPS) in Homeland Security is designed to increase the skills and knowledge of the analyst to produce accurate intelligence to help save lives, improve government, and assist businesses. Geospatial intelligence is applied in law enforcement and homeland security applications such as disaster response and recovery, emergency preparedness, environmental analysis and protection, how criminal and terrorist groups act spatially.” According to the university this program is “ideal for those working in federal agencies such as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Army Corps of Engineers, USGS, NOAA, EPA, and FEMA.” (https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/homeland-security-geospatial-intelligence/overview)
The Dublin City University (DCU), Ireland, has a 24-month International Master’s program in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies (IMSISS) Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) developed by a consortium of three European universities –University of Glasgow (UK), Dublin City University (Ireland), and Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic). “Students on this degree programme will examine a broad range of contemporary security challenges, such as terrorism, civil war and conflict, mass migration, energy supply security, cyber security and new technologies, and transnational and serious organised crime.” (https://www.dcu.ie/courses/Postgraduate/law_and_government/International-Master-Security-Intelligence-and-Strategic#tab1)
The National University’s runs the Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence. According to the University, “The Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence program educates students on the components and sum of the parts that the Intelligence Community comprises, the environment in which it functions, and the nature of the threats facing the United States.” (http://ni-u.edu/wp/academics/schools/college-of-strategic-intelligence/master-of-science-of-strategic-intelligence/)
The Embry – Riddle Aeronautical University offers a Master of Science in Security and Intelligence Studies (MSSIS), housed in the College of Security and Intelligence, which combines “science and high technology with advanced intelligence and security topics” (https://erau.edu/degrees/master/security-intelligence-studies/). The University of Buckingham runs an MA in Security and Intelligence Studies and “aims to deliver a deep understanding of the contemporary security and intelligence environment in western democracies, with a focus on the UK”, (https://www.buckingham.ac.uk/humanities/ma/securityandintelligence). The Brunel University London also offers MA in Intelligence and Security Studies. (https://www.brunel.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/Intelligence-and-Security-Studies-MA#).
The August University, USA runs the Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies (MAISS) (https://www.augusta.edu/pamplin/maiss/admissions.php)