College of Professional Studies

Strategic Intelligence & Analysis

Master's: Online
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Master's : Boston
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Northeastern’s Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence and Analysis program prepares you with the broad skill set necessary for the next generation of leaders in the intelligence community in both the public and private sectors.

Online
Location
Full-Time
Part-Time
Commitment
12-18 months
Duration of Program
No
Meets F1 Visa Requirements
Overview

The Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence and Analysis is designed for students who seek careers in the intelligence field, as well as professionals whose agencies or clientele are charged with the acquisition and interpretation of intelligence. Strategic intelligence leaders are committed to reducing uncertainty and providing warnings about potential security and safety threats both nationally and internationally using information from a variety of sources. 
 
Our degree program focuses on providing you with the analytical skills, research techniques, and verbal and written communication expertise to present your findings at the highest level. This program is for students who are looking for the analytical skills needed to identify a challenge or a threat (natural or man-made) and advise policy or decision-makers. With critical and reflective thinking at the forefront of the curriculum, graduates are prepared to make well-reasoned judgments in any situation based on the policies and theories they have learned.

More Details

Unique Features

  • Learn from real-world experts: Learn directly from a former CIA case officer, former FBI Supervisory Special Agents and CIA analysts. Courses are taught by faculty with extensive experience advising high-level decision-makers. They’ve contributed to local, state, and national analytics and intelligence efforts.
  • Flexible learning formats: With courses offered 100% online, on campus in Boston, or a hybrid format, you can complete your degree without putting your life on hold.
  • Specialize and tailor to your career goals: Choose from one of three concentrations—Analysis for Homeland Security; Intelligence Community Operations and Analysis; or Remote Sensing.
  • Commitment to advancing innovations in security: Security is one of Northeastern’s three research and programmatic focal areas. Our university-wide commitment to guide and advance innovation in security, intelligence, and resilience is bolstered by our dedicated centers and institutes focused on security issues.
  • Industry-aligned curriculum: Explore the trends in the intelligence community from globalization to liaison agreements. Examine case studies based on current events and recent psychological research and master the key competencies needed to excel in the industry.   

Unique Transfer Credit Opportunity

Northeastern recognizes the knowledge and competencies demonstrated by Navy IW-qualified individuals (officer, enlisted, active, or reserve). Individuals with this status have the unique opportunity to accelerate through the Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence and Analysis by applying this qualification in exchange for transfer credit.

Successful IW-qualified applicants can experience the following: 

  • Will receive 12 quarter hours of transfer credit – a 25% savings in tuition 
  • Will enjoy the convenience of a 100%-online, interactive curriculum or choose to complete classes on ground in Boston
  • Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence and Analysis program, IW-qualified individuals will also receive the coveted 2400 Designation: Strategic Intelligence Sub Specialty Code
  • Transfer credit is awarded for the following courses: SIA 6050- All-Source Intelligence, SIA 6060- Human Intelligence Operations, SIA 6070- Analysis for Counterterrorism 

Contact us today for more information by completing the form on our page.

Testimonials

"My overall experience in the SIA program was extremely positive, useful, and informative. It provided me with the tools I needed to increase my value in the workplace, and hone my analytical abilities farther than I thought possible in the field. For anyone with an interest in enhancing their expertise in the intelligence field, this program will not let you down. "

Kevin Lees, CPS SIA '21 expected graduation

"We approach strategic intelligence and analysis with a holistic approach, developing leaders who can respond anywhere there is a need for analytical expertise. Our team of scholar-practitioners is unparalleled in helping students develop the skills necessary to succeed at the highest levels."

John Terpinas, former FBI agent, Professor of the Practice for Strategic Intelligence Analysis

"The online format works very well for the SIA program because it allows for flexibility to work around daily life. As a full-time employee, I found completing my course work to be very achievable … Information was always easily accessible, and instructors are welcoming and understanding in all communications for meeting student needs."

William Heydari, CPS '20 Graduate

Looking for something different?

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Admissions

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-50 university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

$35.3K *
Tuition

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

  • Online application
  • Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): Identify your educational goals and expectations of the program. Please be aware that Northeastern University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose.
  • Professional resumé
  • Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission
  • Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities such as a faculty member, colleague, or mentor, preferably one from your current employer
  • English language proficiency proof. Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
    • Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
    • TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, or NU Global Exam scores

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Global Engagement Learn how our teaching and research benefit from a worldwide network of students, faculty, and industry partners.

Admissions Dates

Spring 2021
Summer 2021
Fall 2021
Winter 2022
Spring 2022
Summer 2022
Recommended Admissions Deadline
Domestic application complete (start date: April 12, 2021) April 2, 2021
Recommended Admissions Deadline
Domestic application complete (start date: July 12, 2021) June 28, 2021
Recommended Admissions Deadline
Domestic application complete (start date: September 20, 2021) September 7, 2021
Recommended Admissions Deadline
Domestic application complete (start date: January 10, 2022) December 20, 2021
Recommended Admissions Deadline
Domestic application complete (start date: April 11, 2022) March 28, 2022
Recommended Admissions Deadline
Domestic application complete (start date: July 11, 2022) June 27, 2022
Curriculum

General Requirements

Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence and Analysis General Requirements

Required Courses 

SIA 6000 - Psychology of Intelligence Analysis 
4.00 
SIA 6010 - Intelligence Operations Management 
4.00 
SIA 6020 - Globalization and Intelligence Issues 
4.00 
SIA 6030 - Intelligence Analysis and Policy Relationship 
4.00 
CJS 6125 - National Security—Law and Policy 
3.00 

Capstone

Complete one of the following: 

SIA 6983 - Topics in Strategic Intelligence and Analysis 
1.00 - 4.00 
SIA 7990 - Thesis 
1.00 - 4.00 
 

Please Note: Students who are interested in taking SIA 7990 need to first take and pass GST 6109 Basic Field Research.

Electives

Complete 6-8 quarter hours from the following: 

SIA 6080 - Culture and Psychology 
4.00 
SIA 6110 - Law and Psychology 
4.00 
SIA 6090 - Intelligence Collection 
4.00 
GST 6300 - Security and Terrorism 
4.00 
ITC 6300 - Foundations of Information Security 
3.00 
CJS 6430 - Risk Management 
3.00 
EDU 6184 - Interdisciplinary Foundations 
2.00 
SIA 6100 - Leadership for Intelligence Professionals 
4.00 
GST 6109 - Basic Field Research Methods 
4.00 
GST 6501 - Regional Studies: East Asia 
4.00 
GST 6502 - Regional Studies: Middle East and North Africa 
4.00 
GST 6503 - Regional Studies: Sub-Saharan Africa 
4.00 
GST 6504 - Regional Studies: Europe and Eurasia 
4.00 
GST 6505 - Regional Studies: Southwest and Central Asia 
4.00 
GST 6506 - Regional Studies: Latin America 
4.00 
 

Concentrations

Choose one from the following:

Analysis for Homeland Security Concentration
HLS 6030 - Intelligence for Homeland Security 
3.00 
HLS 6020 - Technology for Homeland Security 
3.00 
HLS 6010 - Contemporary Threats to Homeland Security 
3.00 
HLS 6050 - Multidisciplinary Approaches to Homeland Security 
3.00 
GST 6300 - Security and Terrorism 
4.00 
Intelligence Community Operations and Analysis Concentration
SIA 6040 - Interagency Collaboration 
4.00 
SIA 6050 - All-Source Intelligence 
4.00 
SIA 6060 - Human Intelligence Operations 
4.00 
SIA 6070 - Analysis for Counterterrorism 
4.00 
Remote Sensing Concentration

Required Courses

RMS 5105 - Fundamentals of Remote Sensing 
3.00 
RMS 6110 - Introduction to Machine Learning for Image Data 
3.00 

Electives

Complete four of the following: 

RMS 6215 - Unmanned Aerial Systems for Geospatial Analysts 
3.00 
RMS 6230 - Remote Sensing and Global Change 
3.00 
RMS 6240 - Introduction to Radar and LiDAR Remote Sensing 
3.00 
RMS 6250 - Spatial Analytics for Vegetation and Precision Agriculture 
3.00 
RMS 6260 - Remote Sensing for Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management 
3.00 
RMS 6270 - Remote Sensing for Disaster Management 
3.00 
RMS 6280 - Automated Feature Extraction for the Geospatial Professional 
3.00 
RMS 6290 - Spectroscopic Image Analysis 
3.00 
GIS 6394 - Crisis Mapping for Humanitarian Action 
3.00 
 

Please note: This curriculum is for marketing purposes only and is subject to change. Official curriculum can be found within the course catalog.



Experiential Learning

Northeastern's signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.

 

Faculty

Our Faculty

Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and fields ranging from finance to education to biomedical science to management to the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Kenneth Sawka

Kenneth Sawka

Lecturer
John Terpinas

John Terpinas

Professor of the Practice
Jason Poitras

Jason Poitras

Lecturer
Edward Barr

Edward Barr

Lecturer
David Hagen

David Hagen

Assistant Teaching Professor
Students

By enrolling in Northeastern, you gain access to a network of more than 275,000 alumni and 3,350+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global nongovernmental organizations. Our current students and faculty across strategically located regional locations further foster a lifelong, global community of learning and mentoring.

Below is a look at where our Political Science and Security alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

 

  • Where They Work

    • Commonwealth of Massachusetts
    • Fidelity Investments
    • State Street
    • US Army
    • Liberty Mutual Insurance

  • What They Do

    • Business Development
    • Education
    • Community and Social Services
    • Legal
    • Operations

  • What They're Skilled At

    • Public Speaking
    • Research
    • Leadership
    • Microsoft Office
    • Management

Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.

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