Master of Science in Applied Intelligence

Presentation: Master of Science in Applied Intelligence

Studying Applied Intelligence prepares you for a career as an intelligence analyst in national security agencies, law enforcement agencies, non-government organizations and business. You'll benefit from faculty members with decades of real-world, intelligence-related experience. This graduate program is comparable to security studies master's programs at other universities.

Graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Intelligence graduate program will be able to:

• Interpret the theory and history of the discipline of intelligence.
• Apply critical thinking skills to “real world” issues.
• Appraise collected data/information using a variety of analytic techniques and methodologies.
• Prepare analytic products in written, oral, visual and/or multimedia formats.
• Devise open-source research and collection management practices.
• Facilitate and manage intelligence processes and practices.
• Produce research in the intelligence field.

In addition to core coursework focused on strategic and competitive intelligence theory and applications, students will have the opportunity to explore elective coursework in cyber security, data analytics, geospatial intelligence and terrorism.

Finally, a student's capstone course will help produce work that demonstrates the skills and techniques they have acquired throughout the program.

Course format: 

On Campus

Qualifications/expertise after completing the program

Alumni of the Applied Intelligence program at Mercyhurst University enjoy strong job placement after graduation, with rates of placement significantly above national placement averages.  Our more than 1,000 alumni of the intelligence programs at Mercyhurst work in a wide range of fields and for a wide range of organizations.

Graduates of the program have accepted employment in the following types of positions, just to name a few: intelligence analysts, intelligence officers, special agents, social media analysts, anti-money laundering/know-your-customer analysts, market research analysts, threat intelligence analysts, police officers, management consultants, cyber security threat analysts, business continuity analysts, in addition to many others.

Graduates of the program have accepted employment with a diverse set of federal agencies, global corporations, and international NGOs. A small sample includes: Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Defense Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, Booz Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman, JP Morgan Chase, Johnson & Johnson, Nike, Disney, Wells Fargo, Procter & Gamble, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, in addition to many others.

Entry requirements

• To be considered for admission into the Ridge College's Applied Intelligence master's degree program, applicants must:
   
• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
• International students from countries where English is not a native language must submit an official score report from the TOEFL (minimum score of 79) or IELTS (minimum score of 6.5) examination.
• Complete the appropriate graduate application.
• Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work.
• Submit a current resume.
• Submit a personal statement discussing both personal and professional goals.
• Submit the results of the Graduate Management Admission Test* (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE). GRE scores more than five years old will not be accepted.
• Arrange for the submission of three (3) letters of reference.

Admission criteria: 

The Office of Graduate & Continuing Education at Mercyhurst University reviews applications for this program on a rolling basis, meaning we can quickly communicate an admissions decision to you. However, applications are reviewed by an admissions committee ONLY after ALL application materials are received, so submit supplemental items as soon as possible when applying. There is a priority application deadline of March 31. International applicants should submit their application no later than June 1.

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