Program Overview

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Online Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies

The Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies (MAISS) degree from Augusta University Online prepares students with the future-ready skills to lead cyber defense strategy. During the program, students learn to create intelligence and security policies that address war, terrorism, propaganda, and misinformation. They gain the skills to enhance, bolster, and critique current U.S. strategy based on academic research, leading to better outcomes that protect people and infrastructure.

Program Overview

The MAISS program is designed for individuals looking to start or advance their career in the DOD, NSA, U.S. Army Cyber Command, private intelligence organizations, or research institutions. The program can be completed in as little as 10.5 months and costs $236 per credit hour for in-state tuition.

What You’ll Learn

The Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies prepares students to become industry leaders who tackle the intelligence and security challenges of our highly interconnected world. During the program, students learn about:

• The causes and effects of interstate and intrastate conflict
• Terrorism and counter-terrorism strategies
• Capabilities and roles of the U.S. Intelligence Community
• National, regional, and global strategic security and cybersecurity threats
• Social media analysis through open source intelligence

Concentrations

The program offers three concentrations:

Technical Intelligence Analysis

This asynchronous concentration focuses on theoretical and technical aspects of intelligence and security studies analysis, including areas like social media analysis, counterintelligence, and open-source intelligence.

Social Influence

The synchronous social influence concentration allows students to focus their learning on the ins-and-outs of persuasion in data collection and information warfare.

General

If students want to tailor their degree to their unique interests without a concentration, this synchronous option allows them to take the electives that interest them as they complete their degree.

Career Outlook

As national security threats continue to rise, so does the demand for professionals who can combat them. Graduates go on to work in organizations such as the DOD, NSA, U.S. Army Cyber Command, and more. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a massive 32 percent growth in cybersecurity jobs between 2022 and 2032. Upon graduation, students are prepared for critical roles, such as:

• Cryptographer: Median Annual Salary: $145,400
• Computer and Information Research Scientist: Median Annual Salary: $136,620
• Computer Security Specialist: Median Annual Salary: $112,500
• Information Security Analyst: Median Annual Salary: $112,000
• Business Intelligence Analyst: Median Annual Salary: $73,700

Program Cost

The cost per credit for in-state tuition is $236, while out-of-state tuition is $822 per credit and out-of-country tuition is $838 per credit. Waivers may be available for students who do not meet the qualifications for a Georgia-resident status. The program requires 30 credit hours for the Technical concentration and 36 credit hours for the Social Influence and General concentrations.

National Recognition

Augusta University's MAISS program is affiliated with the prestigious Order of the Sword & Shield National Honor Society and the International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE). These distinctions recognize the program's commitment to excellence in homeland security and intelligence education.

Program Director

The program director, Craig Albert, PhD, emphasizes that the program is student-centered with three central themes: intelligence, strategic cybersecurity, and security studies. When admitted into MAISS, students are part of an extended family, and the program director works to ensure their academic plan helps them reach their future goals.

What Sets the Program Apart

• Recognized Excellence: Augusta University is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
• Unrivaled Faculty: Professors have robust experience working for top intelligence and security organizations, offering an unmatched level of first-hand understanding.
• Focused Career Growth: The MAISS degree is tailored to facilitate intelligence career growth, focusing on skills for high-level reporting, briefing, and strategic analysis.
• Military Connections: The program connects military peers, instructors, and community partners for a world-class, rigorous learning experience.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission, students must submit:

• Official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended, showing a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university, with a GPA above 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
• Three formal letters of recommendation
• Resume/CV
• Proof of Lawful Presence: In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 4.1.6, all applicants for admission to Augusta University are required to provide validation of lawful presence in the U.S.
  • Acceptance to Augusta University is conditional until lawful presence is verified.
  • ALL applicants who are U.S. citizens must submit documentation that verifies their lawful presence in the U.S. at the time of application.