Academic Programs
College of Professional Studies
Security and Intelligence Studies
Master’s Degree
The Master of Arts in Security and Intelligence Studies prepares you to take a leadership role in the security field. You’ll be ready to anticipate and lead responses to security threats in a challenging global environment.
Location
Arlington, VA
Commitment
Full-Time/Part-Time
Duration
12 – 18 Months
Entry Terms
Spring, Fall
F-1 ELIGIBLE
Yes
Program Overview
Global security is an evolving issue facing countries, companies, and communities. Successful security and intelligence experts need specialized critical thinking and problem solving skills to effectively lead responses to today’s threats.
The Master of Arts in Security and Intelligence Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach that merges security, law, diplomacy, politics, and constitutional rights to create well-rounded leaders. You’ll gain skills in intelligence collection and dissemination, analysis, research, threat assessment, and evaluation of information and policy development while focusing on the importance of civil liberties in pursuing security.
While this program is offered on campus, most of your classes will be taken online, allowing you to work with an extended network of students.
Unique Features
- Benefit from a multidisciplinary approach that merges security leadership skills and an understanding of civil liberties.
- Gain a whole-of-government approach to security studies with a set of required foundational courses and a broad range of electives to choose from.
- Focus your degree with three tracks: Corporate Security Management, Homeland Security & Emergency Management, and Strategic Intelligence & Analysis.
- Learn from security experts, each with at least 20 years of teaching and real-world experience. They’ll share their experiences as constitutional lawyers, White House advisors, CIA operatives, military intelligence officers, and more.
Career Outlook
Prepare for security roles such as intelligence analyst, special agent, information security officer, corporate security specialist and manager, criminal investigator, or fraud investigator.
Security and intelligence-related occupations are projected to grow much faster than the average. New positions combined with replacements are expected to produce more than 200,000 openings per year across the United States. (JobsEQ)
Federal employment has grown for most security-related occupations. Emergency management specialists reported the highest growth, followed by investigative analysis. (opm.gov)
Top Boston employers for security professionals include Humana, MassMutual Financial Group, Deloitte, State Street Corporation, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. (JobsEQ)
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.
Request Information
Complete the form below and our team will connect with you to discuss your questions and options.