Academic Programs
College of Professional Studies
National Security and Intelligence
Master’s Degree
The Master of Arts in National Security and Intelligence prepares you to lead as a security expert in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Location
Arlington, VA
Commitment
Full-Time/Part-Time
Duration
12 – 18 Months
Entry Terms
Spring, Fall
F-1 ELIGIBLE
Yes
Program Overview
Designed for both active security professionals and those transitioning into the field, our program addresses the critical demand for specialized talent across government agencies and private sector organizations confronting evolving national security challenges.
The Master of Arts in National Security and Intelligence is a unique, interdisciplinary program that merges security, law, politics, and constitutional rights to create forward-thinking security leaders.
You’ll refine skills in intelligence collection and dissemination, analysis, research, threat assessment, and policy development evaluation while embracing ethical foundations and civic responsibility.
Unique Features
- Benefit from a unique multidisciplinary approach that merges security leadership skills with an understanding of civil liberties.
- Learn from a faculty of security experts who will share their real-world experiences as constitutional lawyers, White House advisors, CIA operatives, military intelligence officers, and more.
- Engage with a world-class security curriculum that prepares both domestic and international students to excel with a set of foundational courses and a broad range of electives.
- Focus your degree by selecting one of two tracks: strategic intelligence and analysis or homeland security and emergency management.
Experiential Learning
All students are required to take a set of core courses, including an experiential capstone, focused on developing the skills to thrive in the national security field.
Past capstones include creating a real-time national security strategy, developing a cybersecurity strategy for a private healthcare organization, and creating a tabletop security exercise for large public events.
About the Campus
In Arlington—a hub of technical innovation, security, defense, and policy—we partner with government, industry, and nonprofits to prepare learners for leadership in jobs of the future.
We’re centrally located in the heart of the National Capital Region in Rosslyn, one of Arlington County’s most vibrant neighborhoods, at 17th Street North in the Arlington Tower. Our campus space features state-of-the-art flexible learning spaces and areas to collaborate, study, network with peers or employers, and host or attend community events. Additionally, the building includes a rooftop gathering space with stunning views of Arlington, VA, and Washington, DC. The campus is also home to the Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security.
Tuition and Aid
Tuition
$41.3K
Find detailed information on tuition and fees from Student Financial Services.
Finance Your Education
We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships. Learn more from Student Financial Services.
Curriculum
For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.
Experiential Learning
Northeastern’s signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.
Admission Dates
Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:
Additional information for international applicants can be found at the Office of Global Services (OGS). OGS is an active resource to over 20,000 international students and scholars from 147 different nations across the world. They provide the professional expertise and support you need to maintain compliance through immigration, academic, and your employment experiences—helping you remain a valuable member of the Northeastern community.
*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.
How to Apply
Learn more about the College of Professional Studies’s admissions process and required materials.
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