Master of Science in Security and Intelligence Studies
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Key Information
Campus location
Prescott, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 1,563 / per credit
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Scholarships
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Introduction
Global security continues to be an important, critical issue to governments, companies, and the public. There is a growing need for knowledgeable security and intelligence professionals. With a track record of excellence established in the undergraduate Global Security and Intelligence Studies program and a highly respected reputation as a technical university, Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus provides an unmatched Master of Science in Security and Intelligence degree. Students looking for a master's in security studies can follow a track that will gain expertise in the field while perfecting their research and analytical methodology skills. Upon graduating, this degree can help graduates excel in intelligence analysis, operations, military-political studies, law enforcement, corporate security, or cyber intelligence security.
The program’s courses combine science and technology with advanced intelligence and security topics.
Students benefit from expert faculty members who have academic qualifications coupled with extensive professional experience in security, intelligence, law enforcement, policy, and cyber intelligence.
Learn through small classes where students are given personal attention and many opportunities for hands-on learning and research.
About Security & Intelligence Studies at the Prescott, AZ Campus
The Master of Science in Security and Intelligence Studies (MSSIS) degree program provides the knowledge and skills professionals need to excel in intelligence analysis, operations, military-political studies, law enforcement, corporate security, and cyber-intelligence and security. The program combines science and high technology with advanced intelligence and security courses.
The Security and Intelligence Studies master's program is housed in the Department of Global Security and Intelligence Studies within the College of Security and Intelligence.
This degree is suited for students looking to attain a master's in security studies or a master's in intelligence, as students receive advanced instruction in the research skills and analytical methods required by the security and intelligence fields. They also learn how to communicate their findings clearly.
The degree program provides graduate students and security and intelligence professionals with an opportunity to explore both theoretical and practical knowledge across the disciplines that compose the field of security and intelligence studies have become.
The Security and Intelligence Studies master's degree will enhance the career prospects both for entry-level professionals and mid-level leaders, managers, operators, and analysts.
For many professionals currently working in the security and intelligence communities, the master’s degree will be seen as one qualification for promotion in the middle and even upper levels of management or military command.
Requirements and Courses
The Master of Science in Security and Intelligence Studies (MSSIS) degree program is offered by the College of Security and Intelligence. It is designed to produce competitive graduates for professional service in the intelligence, aviation, military, homeland defense, and corporate security communities. The MSSIS degree will enhance the career prospects both for entry-level professionals and mid-level leaders, managers, operators, and analysts. For many security and intelligence professionals currently working in these communities, the Master’s degree will be seen as one qualification for promotion in the middle and even upper levels of management or military command.
The degree program provides graduate students and security and intelligence professionals with an opportunity to explore both theoretical and practical knowledge across the disciplines that compose the field of security, and intelligence studies have become. These include strategic concepts; the integration of science and technology in the security and intelligence realms; the principles, processes, and presentation of products; the importance of cultural understanding in key regions of the world; the evolution, nature, and roles of states and non-state actors; and the forms of international conflict and cooperation that constitute the playing field of the intelligence and policy communities. The elective course offerings in the MSSIS provide the student with the opportunity to specialize to a degree in one of the areas of security and intelligence studies. In this way, the program enables the student to structure his or her own elective program within the schedule of courses offered each semester.
The MSSIS is a 36-credit hour program composed of a General Core (9-12 credit hours), an Area of Concentration (15-24 credit hours), and Electives (0-12 credit hours). Normally, elective coursework will be selected from the list of courses below, although occasional experimental courses may also be considered. Not all elective courses are offered every year. Check with an advisor for a schedule of current course offerings.
The MSSIS program will consider applicants with an undergraduate background in college-level history, political science, international relations, geography, foreign language, psychology, computer science and applications, and any of the physical and natural sciences. The prerequisite knowledge for any graduate course must be satisfied before enrollment in the course is permitted.
Areas of Concentration (AOC): Security, Intelligence, or dual Security and Intelligence.
The Intelligence AOC provides targeted study in intelligence analysis and practice, international affairs, world cultures, as well as counterterrorism and counterintelligence. It is recommended for those interested in fields of intelligence in government agencies (domestic and foreign), non-governmental organizations, and international corporations in overseas operations.
The Security AOC provides targeted study in all aspects of integrated security studies, including corporate security (domestic and international), physical and emergency security management, investigations, and advanced counterintelligence. It is recommended for those seeking a career in all levels of law enforcement, including emergency management, corporate security, and advanced investigations in counterintelligence.
The Security and Intelligence AOC provides an integrated study of intelligence analysis and practice, corporate security, international affairs, physical and emergency security management, world cultures, and counterintelligence. It is recommended for those interested in the integration of security and intelligence in the public or private sector. Students in this AOC must complete both SIS 505 and SIS 510 and 12 credits from each of the Intelligence and Security AOCs.
Degree Requirements
Intelligence Area of Concentration
Core Requirements
- SIS 510 Strategic Intelligence: Diplomacy, Covert Operations, and War
Research Methods
- SIS 535 Research Approaches in Security and Intelligence Studies.
Complete one of the following options:
- SIS 580 & SIS 694 Graduate Research Design and Graduate Research Project
- SIS 693 Applied Research in Security and Intelligence Studies
- SIS 700 Graduate Thesis
Required 15 Credit Hours of Intelligence Electives
- SIS 502 Fundamentals of Security and Intelligence
- SIS 511 Strategic Analysis
- SIS 512 Comparative Global Intelligence
- SIS 515 Legal and Ethical Issues in National Security and Intelligence
- SIS 530 Intelligence and the Spectrum of Social Conflict
- SIS 540 Intelligence, Globalization, and the World Political Economy
- SIS 560 Intelligence in Military Operations: Conventional and Asymmetrical
- SIS 565 Strategic Counterintelligence: Deception, Espionage, and Active Measures
- SIS 575 Counter-terrorism
- SIS 635 Intelligence, Technology and Future Space Conflict
- SIS 650 Area Studies
- SIS 655 The Security Implications of Climate Change
- SIS 660 UAS/UAV Operations and Policies in Contemporary Conflicts
- SIS 696 Graduate Internship in Security and Intelligence Studies
- SIS 699 Special Topics in Security and Intelligence
- Other courses as approved by Department Chair
- Open Electives
Security Area of Concentration
Core Requirements
- SIS 505 Homeland Security and Intelligence Integration
Research Methods
- SIS 535 Research Approaches in Security and Intelligence Studies.
Complete one of the following options:
- SIS 580 & SIS 694 Graduate Research Design and Graduate Research Project
- SIS 693 Applied Research in Security and Intelligence Studies
- SIS 700 Graduate Thesis
Requirement of 15 Credit Hours
- SIS 550 International Security Operations and Management
- SIS 565 Strategic Counterintelligence: Deception, Espionage, and Active Measures
- SIS 625 Global Transportation and Supply Chain Security
- SIS 657 Cyber Warfare: Threats and Counter-Operations
- SIS 670 Mastering and Managing Security Operations
- SIS 696 Graduate Internship in Security and Intelligence Studies
- SIS 699 Special Topics in Security and Intelligence
- Other courses as approved by Department Chair
- Open Electives
Security and Intelligence Area of Concentration
Core Requirements
- SIS 505 Homeland Security and Intelligence Integration
- SIS 510 Strategic Intelligence: Diplomacy, Covert Operations, and War
Research Methods
- SIS 535 Research Approaches in Security and Intelligence Studies
Complete one of the following options:
- SIS 693 Applied Research in Security and Intelligence Studies
- SIS 700 Graduate Thesis
Choose from each AOC
- Intelligence Area of Concentration
- Security Area of Concentration
English Language Requirements
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