MS in Intelligence Analysis
The Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis program provides students interested in launching or advancing their career in intelligence analysis with the core competencies needed to succeed in an array of intelligence analysis roles. The program provides a theoretical grounding in the discipline, as well as mastery of the core skills required to succeed as an intelligence analyst in the public and private sectors. JHU's MS in Intelligence Analysis degree emphasizes the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to identify actionable insights from diverse and complex intelligence sources and persuasively communicate those findings to decision-makers. Courses are taught by leading practitioners in the intelligence community with significant opportunities for students to engage with both faculty and their peers. Graduates of the program will be highly qualified for key roles within public and private sector intelligence agencies.
Admissions Criteria for All Advanced Academic Programs
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
In addition to meeting the general Advanced Academic Programs criteria for admission, applicants should submit:
- Resume
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose: Please provide a statement, up to one page in length, describing the applicant's personal background and/or a part of their life experience that has shaped their goals. The applicant may elaborate on personal challenges and opportunities that have influenced their decision to pursue a graduate degree at Johns Hopkins.
- Writing Sample: Write about an emerging security and technology trend that will likely influence the intelligence analysis profession. Drawing on at least three sources, detail the implications of the trend for the future of U.S. private and/or public intelligence operations and present the findings in a two-page executive brief to a senior decision-maker. Write the memo in full paragraphs without numbers or bullets and without AI assistance. Source the factual information in the text of the essay.
Program Requirements
Students in the MS in Intelligence Analysis program must complete:
- Eight required core courses
- Four elective courses
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses-Required: | 24 | |
| The Art & Practice of Intelligence (Introductory course) | ||
| Intelligence Analysis | ||
| Applied Critical Thinking and Analysis | ||
| Strategic Culture Analysis | ||
| Intelligence Ethics | ||
| Leading Intelligence Organizations | ||
| Research Seminar | ||
| Capstone: Current Issues in Intelligence | ||
| Elective Courses: | 12 | |
| Select four of the following: | ||
| Legal Issues in Intelligence | ||
| Introduction to Intelligence in the Five Eyes Community | ||
| Analysis of Military Capabilities | ||
| Private Sector Intelligence | ||
| Technical Collection of Intelligence | ||
| The Intelligence-Policy Nexus | ||
| Human Intelligence Operations | ||
| Intelligence to Secure the Homeland and Hometown | ||
| Other Electives: | ||
| Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | ||
| Global Political Economy | ||
| U.S. Security in a Disordered World | ||
| Global Terrorist Organizations | ||
| Democracy and Its Modern Critics | ||
| Probability and Statistics,Introduction to Data Analytics and Policy | ||
| Military Strategy & National Policy | ||
| Quantitative Methods,Quantitative Methods for Policy and Political Analysis | ||
| Understanding Modern War | ||
| The Constitution and National Security | ||
| Introduction to Geospatial Intelligence | ||
| Analyzing Social Media and Geospatial Information | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis program are expected to be able to:
- Discern, extract, and synthesize relevant information from diffuse and extensive intelligence sources in response to current policy and security challenges.
- Employ time-sensitive critical analysis in an environment of ambiguity.
- Inform and persuade diverse audiences using oral, written, and visual media to inform decision-making.
- Evaluate ethical and legal principles in the field of intelligence analysis.
- Analyze and apply effective leadership and management skills for resourcing intelligence operations and organizations.
- Create an inclusive approach to decision-making that fosters awareness of regional and global contexts.