Online Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies (BA)
Learn how intelligence professionals apply critical thinking skills and deductive reasoning to analyze global and domestic security issues. The bachelor’s degree in intelligence studies from American Public University (APU) prepares students with substantive knowledge about how intelligence and security intertwine.
Program Overview
This program provides a broad overview of the data collection methods and analysis techniques that are integral to modern intelligence operations. Students learn how to prepare intelligence products that inform strategic decisions.
APU’s curriculum includes an introduction to the 18 organizations that comprise the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). Courses explore how the IC collectively gathers, analyzes, and safeguards intelligence to protect national security interests.
Class discussions and written assignments emphasize career-relevant knowledge. Students consider how intelligence professionals support homeland security missions, military operations, and corporate objectives. Coursework also helps sharpen critical-thinking skills as learners review the legal and ethical frameworks that influence intelligence activities.
The program is led by faculty members whose professional experience includes roles in the Intelligence Community, private-sector organizations, and the military.
APU also offers intelligence studies programs at the master’s and doctoral levels.
Select a Concentration for Your Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies
Students in this intelligence studies degree program can choose from one of many concentrations to focus their studies. Each concentration track combines 15 credit hours’ worth of specialized coursework.
About the Concentration
This general concentration allows you to select from other concentration courses offered in this program.
Program Objectives
About the Concentration
Takes an in-depth look at Asia, including its security issues and the role of intelligence within the region. Topics include analysis techniques, including hypothesis generation, red-teaming, and adversarial collaboration; and the conflict between traditional norms and modern institutions.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze the role Intelligence plays within a specific country or region.
- Examine the impact of US policy on the region.
- Assess the security issues of the region.
- Explain the role of religion in the political, economic, and cultural life of the area.
About the Concentration
Demonstrates U.S. intelligence agencies use of counterintelligence and covert action to guard America's global interests and protect national security. Examines the counterintelligence professional’s role in overt and covert operations, and delves into research methods and tools used in counterintelligence.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Acquire a general knowledge of Counterintelligence research, analysis, and operations.
- Analyze threats in the counterintelligence arena.
- Examine the role of the Counterintelligence professional in both overt and covert operational styles.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of selected research methods and tools as they pertain to the counterintelligence environment.
About the Concentration
Addresses intelligence processes and procedures in criminal justice, various techniques used to understand violence, and the differences between crime, war, and terrorism. Covers criminal intelligence analysis and strategic organized crime; cyber warfare’s use in military, terrorist, and, criminal organizations; and the illegal drug trade’s impact on national security and intelligence gathering.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Explain intelligence processes and procedures in the criminal justice community.
- Analyze the differences between crime, war, and terrorism.
- Evaluate the various techniques and methodologies used within the Criminal Justice community to understand the different aspects of violence and accomplish their goals.
About the Concentration
Offers an overview of cyber warfare and the potential impact of its use by military, terrorist, and criminal organizations, as well as the various methods of collection and analysis. Looks at the use of strategic and operational level communications (COMINT) and electronics (ELINT) intelligence. Topics also include the change in laws to account for crimes in the digital age.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze advanced intelligence data collection methods in supporting analyses on issues critical to intelligence community consumers.
- Examine the full spectrum of the intelligence collection cycle and articulate effectively intelligence needs in future collection planning.
- Assess the range of collection methods being used to fill intelligence gaps as well as the potential impact of future collection systems and capabilities and their ability to satisfy customers' intelligence requirements.
About the Concentration
Within this concentration students will gain foundational knowledge on the use and application of geospatial intelligence. Students will complete a variety of applied assignments that will require the use of geospatial intelligence tools to complete their work. Upon completion of the program students will have received instruction on core competencies specific to geospatial collection and analysis.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze threats using tools and techniques specific to geospatial analysis.
- Examine the role of geospatial intelligence within the intelligence cycle.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of selected research methods and tools as they pertain to geospatial intelligence.
About the Concentration
Provides an understanding of how to interpret information generated from a variety of different organizations and sources into a highly cogent and professional intelligence product. Explores using existing knowledge to find meaning behind what is not immediately apparent to forecast events or consequences and draw conclusions with a high degree of reliability and precision.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Examine advanced intelligence analysis methods in composing professional and academic analyses on issues critical to intelligence community consumers.
- Evaluate and interpret information generated from a variety of different organizations and sources into a highly cogent and professional intelligence product.
- Employ a broad, subtle, and nuanced understanding of existing knowledge to find meaning behind what is not immediately apparent to forecast events or consequences and draw conclusions with a high degree of reliability and precision.
About the Concentration
Considers collective methods used to fill gaps in intelligence, as well as the potential impacts of future collection systems and their ability to satisfy intelligence requirements. Also covers: the full spectrum of the intelligence collection cycle; intelligence needs in future collection planning; and advanced methods of collecting data to support intelligence community consumers.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze advanced intelligence data collection methods in supporting analyses on issues critical to intelligence community consumers.
- Examine the full spectrum of the intelligence collection cycle and articulate effectively intelligence needs in future collection planning.
- Assess the range of collection methods being used to fill intelligence gaps as well as the potential impact of future collection systems and capabilities and their ability to satisfy customers' intelligence requirements.
About the Concentration
Surveys the nature and challenges to military planning of operations other than war, such as peacekeeping operations, low-intensity conflicts, and humanitarian relief efforts. Looks into ways to facilitate cooperation with others across the intelligence community, as well as intelligence management skills necessary for planning, management, and leadership positions.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Employ intelligence management skills required by planning and management positions in the intelligence community.
- Identify ways to facilitate cooperation with other individuals and organizations across the intelligence community to advance projects and corporate goals.
- Examine the nature and challenges to military planning of combined operations and operations other than war including peacekeeping operations, low intensity conflicts, and humanitarian relief operations.
About the Concentration
Explores the politics, cultures, history, and predominant language of Latin America, as well as U.S. intelligence operations there to guard America's global interests and protect national security. Topics include security issues in the region and the part intelligence plays in the war on drugs.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze the role Intelligence plays in the War on Drugs.
- Examine the impact of U.S. policy on the region.
- Assess the security issues of the region.
- Explain the role of the political, economic, and cultural life of the area.
About the Concentration
Delves into the intelligence community and its relationship to the Middle East through the region’s language, politics, history, and culture. Topics include a study of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; major Middle Eastern literary works dating back to ancient times; the origins and evolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict; and past and present U.S. foreign policy in the Muslim world.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze the role Intelligence plays within a specific country or region.
- Examine the impact of U.S. policy on the region.
- Assess the security issues of the region.
- Explain the role of religion in the political, economic, and cultural life of the area.
About the Concentration
Evaluates leading terrorist organizations and their agendas, as well as the causes of and threats from domestic and international terrorism. Explores information sharing limits under the PATRIOT Act and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act. Teaches how to identify the leading terrorist organizations, understand their agendas, and develop the critical thinking skills and methodological techniques to defeat them.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Appraise the causes of and threats from U.S. domestic and international terrorism.
- Analyze the limits of information sharing under the guidelines of both the U.S. PATRIOT Act and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act.
- Identify the leading terrorist organizations, understand their agendas, and develop the critical thinking skills and methodological techniques to defeat them.
APU’s Online Intelligence Studies Program Provides a Career-Relevant Education
APU’s intelligence studies program examines how organizations within the IC interpret and apply information to address security challenges. Students deepen their understanding of various forms of intelligence, including national intelligence, law enforcement intelligence, and military intelligence. Additionally, learners review multidisciplinary intelligence collection, which involves gathering data from multiple sources, such as humans and satellite imagery.
Students also:
- Explore the U.S. Intelligence Community—its mission, priorities, and challenges Integrate the structures, functions, and capabilities of the diverse agents and agencies that constitute the intelligence sector, both governmental and private
- Gain working knowledge of the intelligence cycle, including the collection, exploitation, analysis, and dissemination phases
- Contrast and explain all of the diverse areas of intelligence, including human (HUMINT), geospatial (GEOINT), signals (SIGINT), and open-source (OSINT)
- Understand U.S. Intelligence Community activities in terms of federal and international law, ethics, global norms, and democratic oversight
This intelligence studies program emphasizes career-readiness through coursework that sharpens analytical, research, and communication skills. Students learn how intelligence professionals collect and evaluate information to produce actionable insights that bolster security operations.
Graduates may have potential career opportunities as:
- Intelligence analysts, who analyze information from multiple sources to identify trends, risks, and insights and support organizational decision-making
- Business intelligence analysts, who collect, analyze, and interpret data to support business strategies, risk management, and competitive analyses
- Risk or threat analysts, who assess organizational risks, monitor emerging threats, and support mitigation planning
- Research analysts, who conduct research, synthesize findings, and prepare reports that support policy, security, and/or organizational objectives
APU’s online courses provide an overview of the legal and ethical standards that guide intelligence and counterintelligence operations. Students sharpen their critical-thinking skills and identify cognitive biases as they practice thinking like security and intelligence analysts.
The program also teaches learners how to:
- Apply intelligence processes, cycles, and methodologies to support informed decision-making
- Evaluate domestic and international security threats using structured analytic techniques
- Assess the credibility and relevance of information sources using critical thinking and analytic judgment
- Conduct research using qualitative and quantitative methods relevant to intelligence studies
- Employ ethical reasoning and legal awareness in intelligence-related activities
- Communicate analytic findings clearly to professional and non-technical audiences through written and oral formats
“ Our intelligence studies programs challenge working professionals to grow and transform their intellectual skills to enrich their lives. ”
Explore APU’s Intelligence Studies Curriculum
This online bachelor’s degree program explores how the IC collects and analyzes information. Core courses examine the objectives of the collective IC, as well as the unique goals of each member organization. Students also engage in thought-provoking discussions as they assess the relationship between national security and foreign intelligence gathering.
Degree concentrations provide further insight into the complexities of intel operations. Students consider how intelligence professionals apply specialized knowledge and skills to uphold security initiatives through both the public and private sectors.
Expand Your Network While You Pursue Your Intelligence Studies Degree Online
APU hosts dozens of online clubs and communities that connect students, faculty, and alumni beyond the virtual classroom. Intelligence studies majors may be especially interested in the University’s OSINT Club, Society for Defense and Strategic Studies, and Order of the Sword and Shield Honor Society.
Find out more about student activities and other ways to get involved when you pursue your bachelor’s degree online at American Public University.
Signature Skills: A Learning Revolution
Integrated into our student curriculum, these signature skills teach you how to move through the world with confidence. The road to success is paved with signature skills learned at APUS.
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Encouraging students to use current technologies, critically evaluate emerging tools, and responsibly engage with digital and AI systems.
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Strengthening the ability in all students to analyze information objectively, question assumptions, explore alternatives, and develop skills essential for navigating continual change.
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Helping students thrive in dynamic workplaces by reinforcing adaptability, resilience, innovation, and self-awareness.
Welcome to a learning revolution.
APUS signature skills.
Digital literacy, critical thinking, a growth mindset entwine themselves around the student journey.
They’re in everything we do!
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Meant to inform our approach to you, and your ability to thrive beyond the classroom,
these signature skills teach you how to move through the world with confidence.
The road to success is paved with signature skills learned at APUS.
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Learn MoreAPU’s Intelligence Studies Program Provides an Affordable Education
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Earning a degree is a valuable investment, but it needs to fit into your budget. Our tuition estimator can help you estimate your tuition and fees, so you can plan a manageable path to your educational goals. For full details, please refer to the financial aid cost of attendance (COA). This estimate does not include course materials, supplies, equipment, software and other expenses such as lab fees. You may be eligible for partnership grants through your employer. Speak with your admissions representative for more details.
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We’re committed to making quality education accessible and affordable. APU participates in federal financial aid programs, including grants and loans for those who qualify. Our Financial Aid Office can provide personalized guidance to help you understand your options, complete required forms, and make an informed decision about paying for your education.
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In addition to federal financial aid, some APU students choose to explore private education loans or external scholarships to help fund their studies. We encourage all students to first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal student aid before considering private options. Be sure to research lenders carefully, compare terms, and understand your rights and responsibilities as a borrower.
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Apply to the Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies Program Today
APU’s intelligence studies program consists of online courses designed to accommodate students with busy schedules. Learners may submit weekly assignments and participate in class discussions from anywhere with internet access. There are no set login times, and online courses start the first Monday of each month. The University also has rolling admissions and accepts new students to this intelligence studies program all throughout the year.
Review our admission requirements and submit your application today.
- No Entrance Exams No SAT® or ACT® required for undergraduate programs7
- No Application Fee For undergraduate courses
- Courses Start Monthly Enroll now, start next month
- All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED). Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
- There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.
Learn More About APU’S Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies Program
Intelligence studies degree programs educate students on how the U.S. Intelligence Community collects and analyzes information to obtain meaningful insights. Students also learn how global security issues and national security interests influence intelligence operations.
Major-required courses cover effective intelligence collection methods, as well as:
- How the IC applies strategic intelligence to help our country’s leaders make national security policy decisions
- The relationship between military intelligence and air, maritime, and ground operations
- How intelligence collection and analysis skills apply to business settings
The intelligence studies degree program is designed to help prepare graduates to pursue career paths in the public and private sectors. Coursework sharpens practical skills as students learn how intelligence analysts collect and analyze information to produce actionable insights. Students also gain foundational knowledge of the Intelligence Community and how its member organizations protect national security interests.
Additionally, this online bachelor’s degree helps lay the groundwork to pursue a Master of Arts in Intelligence Studies.
Individuals who work for intelligence agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) typically hold a bachelor’s degree in a field related to intelligence, international affairs, or national security. Common academic backgrounds include intelligence studies, international relations, political science, criminal justice, cybersecurity, or foreign language studies.
While academic preparation is important, intelligence agencies also consider factors such as professional experience, language proficiency, analytical ability, and specialized technical skills when evaluating candidates for intelligence positions.
Many positions within the Intelligence Community require security clearances because employees may work with sensitive or classified information. A security clearance is typically issued by the federal government after a background investigation that reviews an individual’s personal history, financial records, and other factors relevant to national security. Cleared private contractors may also sponsor qualified candidates for clearances. Requirements vary depending on the role, agency, and level of information access associated with the position.
It is worth noting, however, that students pursuing intelligence studies degrees do not need security clearances to complete their coursework. Clearance requirements apply only after employment in a position that involves classified information.
With more than 200 career-relevant degrees and certificates, APU makes online education accessible and affordable.
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