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 the use of technology, investigation and discovery and often have a desire to travel internationally. 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.

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Download Plan of Study beginning Fall 2025 »

GSPIA Core Classes (12 credits)

    Quantitative Methods
    Macroeconomics
OR
    Microeconomics
    Public Policy Analysis
    Capstone Seminar
OR
    Thesis
Internship Requirement: All students must complete an approved internship of at least 300 hours while enrolled at GSPIA. 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.

MPIA Degree Core (6 credits)

    International Affairs
    Security & Intelligence Studies

SIS Major Courses (12 credits)

PIA 2--- SIS Major Course
PIA 2--- SIS Major Course
PIA 2--- SIS Major Course
PIA 2--- SIS Major Course

Free Electives/Minor Courses (18 credits)

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