Program Overview

National Security Intelligence Analysis (NSIA) Program

The National Security Intelligence Analysis (NSIA) program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of national security policy and the role of the intelligence community. The program offers a range of courses that cover topics such as intelligence analysis, national security research design and methods, and quantitative research design and analysis.

Course Descriptions

• NSIA 810 - National Security Policy and the Intelligence Community: This course provides an introduction to United States national security policy and the role of the intelligence community. Students will explore current and historical case studies to understand the functions and limits of intelligence activities in support of decision makers' policy making and implementation.
• NSIA 820 - Intelligence Analysis: This course defines intelligence and focuses on analysis, identifying intelligence organizations' relationships with policymakers and the types of intelligence products they produce. Students will learn to identify and create intelligence requirements and develop critical thinking skills.
• NSIA 830 - National Security Research Design and Methods: This course explores the differences between academic research and intelligence analysis, covering research design and how to select a research approach based on intelligence requirements. Students will learn about the ethical conduct of social science research and how to define a research problem, develop related research questions, hypothesis, and design research using appropriate methods.
• NSIA 840 - National Security Qualitative Research Design and Analysis: This course introduces qualitative research, making linkages to existing research theories and intelligence methodologies. It covers case study research and design issues, providing students with a deep understanding of qualitative research methods in the context of national security.
• NSIA 850 - Intelligence Analysis Case Studies: This course involves taking a deep dive into a particular event, considering all elements that played a part in its occurrence to interpret and learn from the experience. Students will examine the role of the U.S. Intelligence Community in a historical context and apply generalized concepts and lessons to develop an intelligence concept of operations addressing a current national security concern.
• NSIA 860 - Survey Design and Analysis: This course teaches students about surveys research, including ethical issues, survey error, sampling, nonresponse issues, survey data collection strategies, and survey question design and errors.
• NSIA 870 - National Security Quantitative Research Design and Analysis I: This course introduces students to data and data analysis, providing an overview of statistical learning. Students will learn approaches for stating and refining research questions, employ the epicycles of analysis approach to conduct exploratory data analysis, and use basic data visualization techniques.
• NSIA 880 - Analytical Writing and Briefing Seminar: This course investigates the cognitive science behind writing and intelligence analysis, covering topics such as heuristics, chunking, speaking and writing, writing schemes, creativity, analytical writing, organization, presentation, collaboration, editing, and decision-maker feedback.
• NSIA 890 - National Security Quantitative Research Design and Analysis II: This course develops a data science tool kit for investigating research questions, including methodological approaches such as linear regression, classification, resampling methods, linear model selection, tree-based methods, unsupervised learning, and network analysis. Ethical approaches to the use of data science are also reviewed.
• NSIA 895 - Special Topics in Intelligence Studies: This course covers topics and emerging areas in intelligence studies, allowing for the exploration of specialized subjects within the field.
• NSIA 896 - Intelligence Analysis Independent Study: This course provides advanced individual study under the direction of a faculty mentor, allowing students to delve into specific areas of interest within intelligence analysis.
• NSIA 898 - Master's Capstone: The capstone provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate mastery of program materials, areas of specialization, and professional goals in a single intelligence product. In cooperation with a core faculty advisor, each student team designs, researches, and implements a project that is comprehensive and demonstrates their competency to perform as an analyst.

Program Structure and Requirements

The NSIA program is structured to provide a comprehensive education in national security intelligence analysis, with a focus on both theoretical foundations and practical application. The program includes a range of required and elective courses, as well as a capstone project that allows students to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world context.

Research Areas

The NSIA program covers a wide range of research areas, including but not limited to:

• National Security Policy
• Intelligence Analysis
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
• Survey Design and Analysis
• Data Science and Analytics
• Intelligence Studies
• Special Topics in Intelligence

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the NSIA program are prepared for careers in intelligence analysis, national security, and related fields, with potential employers including government agencies, private sector companies, and non-profit organizations. The program's focus on both theoretical foundations and practical application provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing and complex national security environment.