National Security Intelligence Analysis (M.S.)

Program offered online.

Are you interested in using data to provide timely and objective assessment to decision-makers?

Does your curiosity drive you to analyze national security threats and understand their underlying causes – or their solutions?

Have you wondered about what approach is best to analyze a challenging security issue?

If you answered, "Yes!" to any of these questions, then the University of New Hampshire's National Security Intelligence Analysis MS program may be right for you. Government, private-sector, and not-for-profit employers require analysts who have subject-matter knowledge, critical thinking, qualitative, and quantitative (data science) skills that they can apply to domestic and international security problems.

The UNH Master of Science degree in National Security Intelligence Analysis provides the skills necessary to succeed in the government, corporate environment, or not-for-profit sector. The UNH Master of Science degree in National Security Intelligence Analysis (NSIA) is a fully online program designed to be completed in one calendar year, or longer, if part time. NSIA classes will provide you with relevant content and context to become an analyst. Our first academic goal for students is a deep conceptual understanding of the intelligence process, current national security issues, strategies, and policies of the United States and foreign countries. We broadly employ case studies and experiential learning in the curriculum. Our second and third academic goals are critical thinking and methodological training. We give you the tools to analyze threats and understand their underlying issues from the qualitative and quantitative perspectives.

The Master of Science degree in National Security Intelligence Analysis is offered online with two entry points each academic year. Students may choose to enter in August or January each year. Full-time students are able to complete the degree in 12 months by taking 2 classes in each of the 5 terms per calendar year. Part-time students may complete the program in 24 months, taking a minimum of one class per term.

Students must complete ten courses (30 credits) to graduate. All courses are offered online.

Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential. 

Accelerated Master's Highlights

• Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
• Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
• Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

*Some exceptions apply. 

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

• A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
• A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
• Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*

*Some exceptions apply.

Accelerated Master's Requirements

• Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
• Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
• Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
• See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.

National Security Intelligence Analysis (M.S.) Accelerated Option

This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s): 

Program Learning Outcomes

There are six primary NSIA academic goals. Students who complete the NSIA program will demonstrate:

• A deep, conceptual understanding of the United States and foreign countries’ national security issues, strategies, and policy.
• An advanced understanding of national security intelligence as a phenomenon and the activities of intelligence organizations in the United States and foreign countries.
• Competency in designing and conducting original qualitative and quantitative research.
• The ability to ethically collect, clean, organize, and store data safely and responsibly according to institutional, legal, and professional standards.
• An optimal level of analytical excellence, including critical thinking, both qualitative and quantitative methods, and the mitigation of inherent and induced uncertainty.
• Superior writing, editing, presentation, and organizational skills.

The NSIA program is designed to be interdisciplinary and applied. We designed our program for students who seek a rich understanding of critical thinking and academic empirical research grounded in the social sciences and humanities. There are four organizational education objectives for the NSIA program, as follows:

• Graduates will become leaders in government, the private sector, and not-for-profit sector, addressing the most challenging problems of our times.
• Graduates will produce evidence-based analysis, creating and disseminating new knowledge to support decision-makers.
• Graduates will be motivated to serve in government and civil society.
• Graduates will be lifelong learners, pursuing opportunities to increase their understanding of the world.