Program Overview

Master of Anticipatory Intelligence (MAI) Program Overview

The Master of Anticipatory Intelligence (MAI) program is a professional degree that prepares students from various disciplinary backgrounds to anticipate and navigate complex security challenges. It is the nation's first graduate degree in the field, responding to labor market demand for security-focused graduates with advanced training in security thinking, threat assessment, and resilience design.

Program Requirements

The MAI program is a 33-credit professional degree with:

• A required curriculum core in Anticipatory Intelligence (12 credits)
• Elective courses in Anticipatory Intelligence (6 credits)
• A graduate capstone project (3 credits)
• A hard-skill emphasis track (12 credits)

Anticipatory Intelligence Required Core (12 credits)

• CAI 5000: American National Security Framework (3 credits)
• CAI 5200: Threats and Resilience in the Knowledge Century (3 credits)
• CAI 6300: Art and Science of Anticipation (3 credits)
• CAI 6400: Ethics and Emerging Technology (3 credits)

Anticipatory Intelligence Electives (6 credits)

• CAI 5010: Dynamics of Disruptive Technology (3 credits)
• CAI 6310: Strategic Culture and Analytics (3 credits)
• CAI 6500: Strategic Intelligence (3 credits)
• CAI 5880: Critical Soft Skills (1-3 credits)
• CAI 6890: Special Topics in Anticipatory Intelligence (3 credits)
• CAI 6900: Directed Readings and Research (1-6 credits)
• CAI 6910: Public Sector Internship (1-6 credits)
• CAI 6920: Private Sector Internship (1-6 credits)
• CAI 6930: I3SC Labs Internship (1-6 credits)
• CAI 6940: CAI Field Experience (1-3 credits)
• IS 5820: Cyber Strategy in the Modern World (3 credits)

Graduate Capstone Project (3 credits)

• CAI 6990: Graduate Capstone Experience (3 credits)

Emphasis Tracks (12 credits)

The program offers four emphasis tracks:

International Security Emphasis

• CAI 6500: Strategic Intelligence
• CAI 6510: Russian Security Affairs
• CAI 6520: Chinese Security Affairs
• CAI 6530: Weapons of Mass Destruction
• CAI 6540: Future Space Security
• CAI 6310: Strategic Culture & Analytics
• CAI 6890: Special Topics in Anticipatory Intelligence
• POLS 5140: Law, Politics, and War
• POLS 6210: International Security
• POLS 6230: Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
• POLS 6400: United States Foreign Policy
• Other approved 5/6000-level POLS electives

Cyber & Security Analytics Emphasis

• Data Technologies Certificate
  • IS 3600: Introduction to Cloud Computing
  • DATA 3330: Database Management
  • DATA 3400: Data Visualization with Tableau
  • DATA 3500: Introduction to Python Programming
• Cybersecurity Certificate
  • IS 3800: Cybersecurity I: Magical Theory
  • IS 5800: Cybersecurity II: Defense Against the Dark Arts
  • IS 5850: Enterprise Security: Advanced Arithmancy Studies
  • IS 6830: Networks: Binary Potions and Protocols
• Data Analytics Certificate
  • DATA 5600: Introduction to Regression and Machine Learning for Analytics
  • DATA 6500: Advanced Python Programming for Analytics
  • DATA 6610: Advanced Machine Learning for Analytics
  • And one of:
    • DATA 6330: Data Pipeline Engineering
    • DATA 6360: Data Warehousing
    • DATA 6400: Visual Data Analytics
    • DATA 6480: Data Mining

Biosecurity Emphasis

• CAI 6600: Biosecurity I (required)
• CAI 6610: Biosecurity II (required)
• And two of:
  • CAI 6620: Food Security and Solutions
  • CAI 6630: Water Security and Solutions
  • NDFS 5010: Hunger Issues and Solutions
  • NDFS 6140: Introduction to Public Health
  • ENVS 6550: Sustainability: Concepts and Measurement
  • PSC 6810: Climate and Climate Change
  • Other approved 5/6000 partner dept electives

GIS Natural Resources Emphasis

• NR 6910: Geographic Information Systems for Natural Resource Applications
• NR 6920: Python Programming for GIS
• NR 6930: Advanced GIS for Natural Resource Applications
• NR 6940: Principles of Remote Sensing of Natural Resources
• NR 6950: Geospatial Analysis for Natural Resource Management
• Or in-person variants:
  • GEOG 6870: Geospatial Analysis
  • WATS 6920: Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis
  • WILD 6750: Applied Remote Sensing
  • WILD 6920: Python Programming for GIS

Applying for the MAI

The MAI degree program is competitive, and applicants must have a strong academic record (minimum GPA 3.0+). Candidates from any disciplinary or professional background are considered, and a disciplinary quota system ensures a blend of backgrounds in each cohort.

Application Requirements

• Personal statement (1000 words max)
• Current résumé/CV
• Writing sample (2-3 pages)
• Transcripts from all higher education institutions attended
• Two letters of recommendation
• Application fee ($55)

Tuition & Funding Info

The MAI falls under the regular graduate tuition bracket. Full-time resident graduate students pay roughly $3,800/semester tuition & fees, totaling around $15,200 across the degree. A pool of funding for partial tuition support is available through the Center for Anticipatory Intelligence.

Delivery & Instruction

The MAI is taught as a primarily in-person program on the USU Logan campus, with select courses offered online or as broadcast courses. MAI students benefit from Center for Anticipatory Intelligence programming and the broader Intermountain Intelligence, Industry, and Security Consortium (I3SC).

Current and Former CAI Students

Current and former CAI students in the Minor and Graduate Certificate in Anticipatory Intelligence programs are eligible to apply for the MAI. Details on accelerated master's routes, transferring credits, and eligibility for partial tuition support are available for these students.