Security & Intelligence Studies Concentration

The post-9/11 world has brought remarkable change to national and international security. Issues of strategy, weapons systems, national defense and the role of government are being redefined every day. Our major in security & intelligence studies (SIS) approaches issues within an international context and covers a variety of topics including transnational organized crime, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and competition for natural resources.

SIS students are interested in understanding conflict, the use and misuse of information on the world stage, and strategic competition. Our program prepares students for careers in the security or intelligence fields with various think tanks or intelligence agencies, such as the FBI or CIA.

Download Plan of Study beginning Fall '25 »

MPIA Core Classes (15 credits)

    Quantitative Methods
    International Affairs
    International Economics
    Skills for Global Policy Professionals
    Capstone Seminar
OR
    Thesis
Internship Requirement: All students must complete an approved internship of at least 300 hours while enrolled at SPIA. The internship must be approved by the student’s career advisor in advance. Students with at least three years of relevant full‐time work experience may petition their career advisor for a waiver of this requirement during their first semester.

Concentration Core (3 credits)

    Security & Intelligence Studies

SIS Concentration Courses (9 credits)

PIA 2--- SIS Concentration Course
PIA 2--- SIS Concentration Course
PIA 2--- SIS Concentration Course

Free Electives/Minor Courses (9 credits)

PIA 2--- Elective/minor course
PIA 2--- Elective/minor course
PIA 2--- Elective/minor course

Below is a sample of electives that may be offered depending on the semester. Please speak with your advisor to confirm availability and create your personalized plan of study.

PIA 2323: Intelligence Analysis
PIA 2327: Terrorism & Counterterrorism
PIA 2346: Introduction to American Intelligence
PIA 2353: Creative Approaches to Intelligence Analysis
PIA 2365: Transnational Security & Illicit Finance
PIA 2411: American Foreign Policy
PIA 2462: Practice of Diplomacy
PIA 2468: Choosing Nuclear Weapons