Why We Love It
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$79,620Potential Avg. Salary*
* Salary & growth data is based on the recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics data published at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333021.htm for 33-3021 Detectives and criminal investigators 11/2021. Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.
If you’re a critical thinker who’s interested in global affairs and national security, a bachelor of science in intelligence studies may be the degree for you.
In an intelligence studies program, you learn how to translate seemingly meaningless data and information into actionable intelligence that can be used by government agencies, politicians, and law enforcement agencies to protect the country from threats.
What is a Degree in Intelligence Studies?
Intelligence studies degrees are commonly pursued by students who are interested in careers working for federal or state governments as CIA agents, FBI agents, or law enforcement administrators.
Students in intelligence studies programs focus on a concentration—such as language, linguistics, information technology, criminal justice, or behavioral analysis—and build on top of that concentration with courses designed to teach students how to transform data and information into actionable intelligence.
In addition to intelligence studies and a concentration of focus, students also study topics in global relations, politics, and criminal justice in order to better understand the types of risks they’ll be facing and preventing in a career as an intelligence professional.
Exceptional graduates may go on to work for the CIA on international covert operations, to investigate domestic crimes like drug or human trafficking as FBI agents, or to work as detectives or chief investigators for local and state police departments.
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What Courses Would I Take For a Major in Intelligence Studies?
- Cyber Security
- Global Security
- Intelligence Writing
- Introduction to the U.S. Legal System
- Investigative Methodology
- Foreign Language
- International Relations
- Personality and Profiling
What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in Intelligence Studies?
As the result of population growth and the increasing focus on national security since the terrorist attacks of 2001, it’s expected that demand for CIA and FBI agents and other law enforcement intelligence professionals will grow in the coming decade.
Even outside of intelligence in the public sector, there are opportunities for individuals with intelligence skills to find work in the private sector as private investigators, behavior analysts for businesses, or forensic scientists for criminal trials.
How Long does it take?
A bachelors in Intelligence Studies will have a typical length of 4 years in a full time schedule. That said, there are many ways to speed up the timeframe by either taking more units via online coursework, community college, or taking free classes at OnlineDegree.com that could transfer to universities in the US.
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Best Jobs for Intelligence Studies Degrees
Intelligence professionals can find work in both the public and private sectors, working for research facilities, government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and private businesses.
The most talented graduates often go on to work for the CIA or FBI, but even those who don’t can often find work as police detectives, law enforcement administrators, forensic scientists, lawyers, and private investigators.
How to save time and money
Our mission is to help you to avoid paying full price for college. We want your Intelligence Studies degree to be affordable and accessible. Here’s how you could save:
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