Intelligence and National Security Studies, B.A.

The intelligence and national security studies major is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in security-related career fields that involve research, analysis, planning and evaluation of policies and programs. The program works to this objective by utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach that emphasizes the liberal arts and communications skills. The structure of the curriculum also prepares a student for graduate work in related areas of study.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the requirements for a degree in intelligence and national security studies will be able to:

1. Understand the organizational structure, operations, oversight, and methods of the US intelligence community.
2. Effectively communicate oral intelligence and security analysis in a manner that takes into account time, audience, and security considerations.
3. Effectively communicate written intelligence and security analysis in a manner that takes into account time, audience, and security considerations.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts, theories, and contemporary issues related to functional area of intelligence/security policy in original student research.
5. Employ critical thinking in intelligence analysis.
6. Evaluate the impact of language, history, culture, politics, geography, and economics on intelligence and national security issues in a particular region of the world.

Students who wish to pursue a degree in intelligence and national security studies must conform to the following regulations:

1. Students who are enrolled as an intelligence and national security studies pre-major will need to complete INTEL 200  with a grade of ‘B’ or better from Coastal Carolina University or another regionally accredited college or university in order to be admitted into the full degree program as an Intelligence and National Security Studies degree candidate. Students who do not earn a grade of ‘B’ or better may repeat INTEL 200  only one time.
2. Students must register for the major by consulting the program’s administrative specialist and/or the department chair in order to be counseled and to be assigned an adviser.
3. To remain a member of the major, a student must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in each course used to satisfy requirements for the major, including foundation courses for the intelligence and national security studies major. Students who fail to maintain this academic standard may be dropped from the program by the department chair upon unanimous recommendation of the program’s faculty.

The curriculum for this program will be interdisciplinary with most of the courses being housed in the Department of Politics. Students will complete the University core curriculum and a collection of foundation courses to establish a base-line level of knowledge in the relevant subject areas connected to the study of intelligence and national security. These early courses will also introduce students to core skills that are useful in the analysis, evaluation and communication of intelligence information. Students will then be positioned to expand their knowledge and skills in the realms of intelligence and national security, as well as the regional and occupational contexts that inform these issues.

** Only two courses from the major requirements may be applied toward a student’s minor requirements.