Strategic Intelligence, M.S.

Saint Louis University's Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence prepares you to think strategically, analyze data, and derive actionable plans and policies. Offered by SLU's School for Professional Studies, this online program is designed for students seeking careers in the intelligence field and those who already work in intelligence collection, analysis or dissemination.

This program is designated an Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence by the director of national intelligence. As a funded center, students have opportunities to participate in co-curricular activities, and receive priority consideration for jobs and internships in the 18 federal agencies of the U.S. intelligence community.

The core of SLU's Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence program lies at the intersection of intelligence and policy. This program prepares you to adapt your education and skills to real-world scenarios requiring technical analysis and an operational implementation. 

Program Highlights

• Among other skills, learn to evaluate and manage various information sources, determining their relevance to strategic intelligence and translating that information into actionable outcomes.
• Earn a graduate certificate that complements a master’s degree, often without additional credits.
• Tailor the program to your specific interests as you join a community of academics and practitioners worldwide and from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, providing the opportunity to continue to learn from a network of peers. 

Along the way, you’ll learn from a network of diverse peers from around the world, merging technology with human and organizational structures as you engage in knowledge discovery, management and dissemination of industry-critical knowledge. 

You can also earn a graduate certificate that complements a master’s degree, often without taking additional credits, allowing you to tailor the program to your specific interests.

As part of the School for Professional Studies, this 33-credit master's program offers data-driven professionals like you a flexible option to meet your career goals. With multiple start terms, you can begin the master's program in the fall or spring. You will join a community of academics and practitioners from a wide range of subjects and professional backgrounds, providing the opportunity to learn from a network of peers. 

The 100% online program offers flexible courses in eight-week terms, making advanced education more accessible for working professionals. 

The on-campus version of this program, created so that international students can meet their visa requirements, is also offered in flexible terms.

Faculty

As a student in the School for Professional Studies at Saint Louis University, you’ll learn from exceptional faculty who are leading experts in their fields. They bring real-world knowledge to the classroom and are dedicated to your professional success. Learn more about the SPS faculty.

Careers

Graduates of SLU's 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, Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency. 

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

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Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, apply by Feb. 1.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

1. Graduates will be able to apply program-specific knowledge to address practical problems using an ethical, evidence-based framework.
2. Graduates will be able to utilize argumentation skills appropriate for a given problem or context.
3. Graduates will be able to evaluate and manage various information sources and their relevance to strategic intelligence and translate that information into actionable outcomes.
4. Graduates will be able to perform sophisticated analyses and evaluations of possible threats through demonstrated technical expertise and the application of conceptual skills.

Admission Requirements

• Completed application​
• Undergraduate degree (most successful applicants have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better)
• Official transcript from a degree-granting institution
• Statement of purpose (about 500 words)
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• External reference recommendations (encouraged but not required)

Upon admission, a new online student* must successfully complete a virtual meeting with their academic coach to be enrolled in first term coursework.

* This is for 100% online students only. International on-campus graduate students will meet their academic coach at on-campus orientation.

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
  • PTE: 54

• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary 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.

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Program Requirements 

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.