BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTELLIGENCE STUDIES
What is This Program?
The first non-government initiative of its kind, the Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies is a unique multidisciplinary degree, which has as its goal a graduate qualified as an entry-level analyst for government and the private sector. An academically challenging discipline, it combines a liberal arts core with a foreign language or computer science requirement, national and international studies, internships, and intelligence-related courses to provide its graduates with an advanced level of analytical skills. Currently, over 300 students from throughout the U.S. and abroad are enrolled in this undergraduate program.
The Intelligence Studies degree is designed to provide the necessary background for students to pursue careers as research and/or intelligence analysts in government agencies and private enterprise. The work of these analysts, whether relating to national security, law enforcement or business activities, involves the preparation of assessments based on the collection, correlation, and analysis of intelligence data.
Program Objectives
Upon graduation; Intelligence Studies students will possess:
- Analytical skills that are applicable to the national security, law enforcement, and business communities.
- Reading competency in a foreign language or computer science skills.
- A broad understanding of world and American history and politics.
- The ability to produce written and oral reports and assessments based on research, correlation, and analysis.
- A familiarity with computer operations, database management, and analytical software.
- General understanding of statistics, finance, and general techniques
Desired Candidates
A successful Intelligence Studies candidate should have:
- An inquiring mind, an interest in history, government and world around them and be an avid reader and have the ability to communicate.
- A desire for a career which will permit an outlet for interests and knowledge while allowing active participation in issues of our time as a well-paid professional.
- An attitude of self-motivation and a commitment to personal development and knowledge necessary to attain professional skills.
- The willingness to work successfully alone and/or in a team environment.
- The ability to gain and maintain a 3.0 average by the sophomore year.
- The willingness not abuse alcohol, stay drug and crime free and be financially responsible.
Admission
Students seeking admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies program should apply to Mercyhurst University using the online application system and indicate Intelligence Studies as their desired major. All candidates are encouraged to complete an in-person or telephonic interview with a faculty member within the Department of Intelligence Studies. To schedule a campus visit, please contact the Admissions Office.
Interested in Learning More?
Those interested in receiving additional information about the undergraduate program, including an application packet, should contact us.
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Degree Requirements
The department takes great pride in producing the highest quality entry level analyst for the intelligence profession. Once admitted, the new student must adhere to the exacting standards of a rigorous curriculum. Major specific courses are listed below, the degree recipient must satisfactorily complete all listed courses and maintain an overall GPA above a 3.0. This does not include core courses required by the university, see the Mercyhurst University Course Catalog for more details.
Intelligence Studies Major Course Requirements
- RIAP 177: Introduction to Intelligence Analysis
- RIAP 178: Advanced Intelligence Analysis
- RIAP 250: Professional Communications
- RIAP 274: History of U.S. Intelligence
- RIAP 275: Writing for Intelligence
- RIAP 276: Law Enforcement Intelligence
- RIAP 300: Competitive Intelligence
- RIAP 313: Intelligence and National Security
- RIAP 425: Strategic Intelligence
- RIAP 475/495: Internship/Co-Op
also
- CRJS 101: American Criminal Justice OR CRJS 220: Drugs, Crime and Criminal Justice
- MIS 110: Advanced Computer Applications
- POLI 100: American Government
Choose two of the following:
- ANTH 109: World Geography
- POLI 303: Geopolitics
- POLI 400: Political Theory
Language or Computer Science Concentration Requirements
- Language Option
- 4 Spoken Language Courses
- Computer Science Option (department chair approval required)
- MIS 140: Computer Operations
- MIS 126: Programming or MIS 125: Visual Basic Programming
- MIS 260: Networks
- MIS 350: Database Management
Core and Distribution Core Requirements
- HIST 102: U.S. History II (meets CC requirement)
- ECON 105: Macroeconomics (meets DC requirement for Behavioral/Social Science)
- MATH 109: Statistics (meets CC requirement)
- PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology or SOC 101: Contemporary Social Problems (meets DC requirement for Behavioral/Social Science)
Intelligence Electives (all students required to take 1 Intelligence Studies elective)
- RIAP 272: Terrorism
- RIAP 305: Warfare and Military Intelligence
- RIAP 310: Special Topics
- RIAP 315: Improving Intelligence Analysis
- RIAP 320: Advanced Law Enforcement Intelligence
- RIAP 365: Advanced Competitive Intelligence
