843-953-6886
http://www.citadel.edu/root/intelligence-and-security-studies-graduate-programs/master-of-arts

Dr. Larry Valero, lvalero@citadel.edu

Mission Statement

The Master of Arts (MA) degree program in Intelligence and Security Studies (ISS) prepares students to enhance national security through intelligence and homeland security leadership. Best practices for intelligence collection and analysis and national security combined with current theory, research, and experience give students the background necessary to cultivate critical thinking, concise writing, and effective briefing. By introducing applicable management principles and policy analysis, the program fosters the leadership skills to successfully address security and intelligence challenges facing the United States.

Unlike traditional graduate programs that take a theoretical and conceptual track in preparing students for further academic research, The Citadel’s ISS program combines theory and practice to provide the real-world skills necessary to enter and advance in the public and private intelligence arenas.

This program is entirely online to provide maximum flexibility for students, and at the same time allow the ISS program to attract instruction from intelligence professionals located around the world.

By combining current theory, research, and experience, the program offers an intellectually rigorous course of study that emphasizes key skills related to analytical writing and research, critical thinking, and general international and domestic subject matter expertise. In addition, the master’s program offers two concentrations, both of which lead to a certificate in addition to the MA degree. The courses in both of these concentrations count as electives for the MA degree in Intelligence and Security Studies.

• The Cybersecurity concentration is offered jointly by The Citadel’s Department of Cyber and Computer Sciences and the Department of Computer Science at the College of Charleston;
• The Leadership concentration is offered by the Department of Leadership Studies.

Admission Requirements

1. Completion of the online graduate application along with the non-refundable application fee.
2. Submission of official transcripts from the undergraduate institution conferring the applicant’s bachelor degree and transcripts from all postgraduate institutions attended. Students must be able to demonstrate an earned undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a competitive grade point average.
3. Submission of a writing sample that demonstrates strong critical thinking and communication skills. Typically this can be met by submitting a research paper prepared for an advanced undergraduate or graduate course.
4. Submission of official scores from a valid (within five years) Millers Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This requirement may be waived for students who are non-residents of the United States or who already hold a graduate degree.
5. Resume
6. Students who wish to enroll in the cybersecurity concentration must meet additional admissions requirements as established by the Department of Cyber and Computer Sciences.

Application Deadlines

The Admissions Committee will consider complete applications for the program on the following dates: