Strategic Intelligence, M.S.
The core of Saint Louis University's Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence program lies at the intersection of intelligence and policy. Offered through SLU's School for Professional Studies and designed for students seeking careers in the intelligence field, as well as those who already work in intelligence collection, analysis, or dissemination, this program prepares you to adapt your education and skills to real-world scenarios that require both a technical analysis and an operational implementation.
Among other skills, you’ll learn to evaluate and manage various information sources, determining their relevance to strategic intelligence and translating that information into actionable outcomes. You can also earn a graduate certificate that complements a master’s degree, often without taking additional credits. This allows you to tailor the program to your specific interests as you join a community of academics and practitioners from around the world and from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, providing the opportunity to continue to learn from a network of peers.
As part of SLU's School for Professional Studies, the 33-credit Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence program offers technology-driven professionals like you a flexible option to meet your personal career goals. With multiple start terms, you can begin the master's program in fall, spring or summer. All courses are offered in online and hybrid formats in eight-week terms, making advanced education more accessible for working professionals. You will join a community of academics and practitioners from around the world and from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, providing the opportunity to learn from a network of peers.
Careers
SLU's M.S. in strategic intelligence prepares you to think strategically, analyze data, and derive actionable plans and policies.
Graduates of the Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence program have the educational foundation necessary to succeed as intelligence analysts and analytical leaders/managers within defense and intelligence industries, criminal justice fields, and federal, state and local agencies, such as the FBI, CIA, DIA, NGA and NSA.
Admission Requirements
- Completed application.
- Official transcript from a degree-granting institution.
- Most successful applicants have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better.
- At least two years of work experience is recommended (includes full-time and part-time employment, internships, co-ops and similar experiences).
- Three external reference evaluations (not required for certificates).
- Statement of professional goals (approximately 500 words suggested) articulating what attracted you to this program, and how a master's degree in this field will benefit you in your present or future career.
- Resume or curriculum vitae.
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Some examples of demonstrated English language proficiency include minimum score requirements for the following standardized tests: \
- Paper-based TOEFL: 550
- Internet-based TOEFL: 80
- IELTS: 6.5 o PTE: 54
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Application and Assistantship Deadlines
Students should apply for the fall semester by August 6 and the spring semester by January 7.
Review Process
Applications are reviewed by program directors.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, apply by Feb. 1.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
- Graduates will be able to apply program-specific knowledge to address practical problems using an ethical, evidence-based framework.
- Graduates will be able to utilize argumentation skills appropriate for a given problem or context.
- Graduates will be able to evaluate and manage various information sources and their relevance to strategic intelligence and translate that information into actionable outcomes.
- Graduates will be able to perform sophisticated analysis and evaluations of possible threats through demonstrated technical expertise and application of conceptual skills.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Core Courses | ||
| AA 5221 | Applied Analytics & Methods I | 3 |
| ORLD 5050 | Ethical, Evidence-Based Decision Making | 3 |
| Foundation Courses | ||
| INTL 5000 | The Intelligence Cycle | 3 |
| INTL 5050 | Terrorism & US Foreign Policy | 3 |
| INTL 5200 | Cyber Operations and National Security | 3 |
| INTL 5250 | Structured Analytical Techniques for Intelligence | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| The following 4 electives are required. Substitutions from other programs may be considered. | 12 | |
| Counter Intelligence & Espionage | ||
| Military Intelligence | ||
| Open Source Intelligence | ||
| Congress and the Intelligence Community | ||
| Applied Research Project | ||
| INTL 5961 | Intel Masters Research Project I | 1 |
| INTL 5962 | Intel Masters Research Project II | 1 |
| INTL 5963 | Intel Masters Research Project III | 1 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Fall 1 | ||
| Critical course: INTL 5000 | The Intelligence Cycle | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| Critical course: ORLD 5050 | Ethical, Evidence-Based Decision Making | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| Critical course: AA 5221 | Applied Analytics & Methods I | 3 |
| INTL 5270 | Open Source Intelligence | 3 |
| Spring 2 | ||
| INTL 5961 | Intel Masters Research Project I | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| Critical course: INTL 5200 | Cyber Operations and National Security | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| Critical course: INTL 5250 | Structured Analytical Techniques for Intelligence | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| INTL 5962 | Intel Masters Research Project II | 1 |
| Spring 2 | ||
| INTL 5280 | Congress and the Intelligence Community | 3 |
| Critical course: INTL 5100 | Counter Intelligence & Espionage | 3 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Summer | ||
| Critical course: INTL 5260 | Military Intelligence | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| Critical course: INTL 5050 | Terrorism & US Foreign Policy | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| INTL 5963 | Intel Masters Research Project III | 1 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
For additional admission questions, please call 314-526-2825 or email sps@slu.edu.