Program Overview

National Security Intelligence Analysis (M.S.)

The University of New Hampshire's National Security Intelligence Analysis MS program is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to succeed in the government, corporate environment, or not-for-profit sector. This fully online program can be completed in one calendar year, or longer, if part-time.

Program Description

The program aims to provide students with a deep conceptual understanding of the intelligence process, current national security issues, strategies, and policies of the United States and foreign countries. It employs case studies and experiential learning in the curriculum, with a focus on critical thinking and methodological training.

Program Requirements

Students must complete ten courses (30 credits) to graduate. All courses are offered online.

• Required Courses:
  • NSIA 810: National Security Policy and the Intelligence Community (3 credits)
  • NSIA 820: Intelligence Analysis (3 credits)
  • NSIA 830: National Security Research Design and Methods (3 credits)
  • NSIA 840: National Security Qualitative Research Design and Analysis (3 credits)
  • NSIA 850: Intelligence Analysis Case Studies (3 credits)
  • NSIA 860: Survey Design and Analysis (3 credits)
  • NSIA 870: National Security Quantitative Research Design and Analysis I (3 credits)
  • NSIA 880: Analytical Writing and Briefing Seminar (3 credits)
  • NSIA 890: National Security Quantitative Research Design and Analysis II (3 credits)
  • NSIA 898: Master's Capstone (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 30

Accelerated Master's Overview

The Accelerated Master's program offers qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor's degree.

Accelerated Master's Highlights

• Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master's degree or graduate certificate early.
• Master's degree program students: Earn up to 12 graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor's degree.
• Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8 graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor's degree.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

• A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.
• A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
• Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).

Accelerated Master's Requirements

• Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
• Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
• Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor's degree in most programs.

National Security Intelligence Analysis (M.S.) Accelerated Option

This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s):

• Homeland Security (B.S.)
• Students select from the following approved 800-level courses that can be completed in the undergraduate senior year for dual credit:
  • NSIA 810: National Security Policy and the Intelligence Community (3 credits)
  • NSIA 820: Intelligence Analysis (3 credits)

Program Learning Outcomes

There are six primary NSIA academic goals. Students who complete the NSIA program will demonstrate:

• A deep, conceptual understanding of the United States and foreign countries' national security issues, strategies, and policy.
• An advanced understanding of national security intelligence as a phenomenon and the activities of intelligence organizations in the United States and foreign countries.
• Competency in designing and conducting original qualitative and quantitative research.
• The ability to ethically collect, clean, organize, and store data safely and responsibly according to institutional, legal, and professional standards.
• An optimal level of analytical excellence, including critical thinking, both qualitative and quantitative methods, and the mitigation of inherent and induced uncertainty.
• Superior writing, editing, presentation, and organizational skills.

Organizational Education Objectives

The NSIA program is designed to be interdisciplinary and applied. The program has four organizational education objectives:

• Graduates will become leaders in government, the private sector, and not-for-profit sector, addressing the most challenging problems of our times.
• Graduates will produce evidence-based analysis, creating and disseminating new knowledge to support decision-makers.
• Graduates will be motivated to serve in government and civil society.
• Graduates will be lifelong learners, pursuing opportunities to increase their understanding of the world.