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. Describe the principles of intelligence analysis and apply them to contemporary security issues in light of technical, legal and ethical constraints.
2. Apply critical thinking, reasoning and problem identification/solving skills – both as individuals and in group settings – to intelligence and national security policy issues.
3. Effectively communicate – in both written and oral formats – intelligence and security analysis in a manner that takes into account time, audience, and security considerations.
4. Assess the importance of language, history, culture, politics, geography and economics of a particular region of the world, as well as how that impacts intelligence and national security issues.
5. Demonstrate competencies in the concepts, theories, and contemporary issues in a functional area of intelligence/security policy in order to promote original student research.
6. Evaluate how the institutional and operational environment for an organization involved in security policy influences its objectives, processes, and conduct.

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

1. Students must register for the major by consulting the program’s administrative specialist and/or the director of the program in order to be counseled and to be assigned an adviser.
2. 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 director 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 and Geography. 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.