Saint Louis University holds its curriculum to the same high-quality academic standards—whether programs are offered on campus or online.
All you need to know about becoming a student at SLU SPS (School for Professional Studies).
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, this 33-credit 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.
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.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
•Demonstrate English language proficiency. Some examples of demonstrated English language proficiency include minimum score requirements for the following standardized tests: o Paper-based TOEFL: 550 o Internet-based TOEFL: 80 o 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.
Students should apply for the fall semester by August 7, spring semester by January 1 and summer semester by May 14.
Review Process
Applications are reviewed by program directors.
For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, applicants should complete their applications by Feb. 1.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
NEED ONE MORE COURSE TO EQUAL 33 credits
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 | ||
Choose three of the following: | 9 | |
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 | 30 |
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 |
Spring 2 | ||
Critical course: AA 5222 | Applied Analytics & Methods II: Survey Approaches | 3 |
INTL 5961 | Intel Masters Research Project I | 1 |
Credits | 7 | |
Summer | ||
ORLD 5700 | Advanced Evidence-Based Decision Making | 3 |
Credits | 3 | |
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 | ||
Critical course: ORLD 5010 | Contemporary Organizational Leadership | 3 |
INTL 5962 | Intel Masters Research Project II | 1 |
Spring 2 | ||
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 | 36 |
For additional admission questions, please call 314-526-2825 or email sps@slu.edu.