Intelligence Analysis, B.S.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Intelligence Analysis provides a multi-disciplinary education for students who seek careers as analysts, with a specialization in intelligence analysis.

The degree integrates knowledge from a variety of academic disciplines (philosophy, history, political science, technology, business) and combines that with professionally oriented knowledge and skills.

Students learn innovative ways to structure their thinking to assess complex real-world problems, along with how technology can be employed to acquire data, evaluate that data, and communicate it effectively to others.

Admission Requirements

Currently Enrolled Students

Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to the intelligence analysis major. The IA program will strive to accommodate all interested students who adopt IA upon admission to JMU. The size of the cohort could be limited beyond fall semester of sophomore year.

To be eligible to apply for full admission to the major, students must complete a statistics course (MATH 220 or ISAT 251) and complete the following courses with a minimum grade of “C”:

Students will be admitted on the competitive basis of their combined performance in IA 200, IA 240 and IA 261.

Transfer Students

Transfer students must also take the four required courses during their first fall semester, as these courses are not offered in the spring. It is recommended that transfer students talk with an IA adviser regarding the selection of a minor that can be useful for the major if they begin during spring semester.

Degree and Major Requirements

Degree Requirements	Credit Hours
General Education ¹	41
Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education )	3
Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education )	3-4
IA foundations and methods courses	48
IA elective courses	6
Subject Matter Specialty	18-21
General Elective Courses Total	0-1 120

Footnote

¹ The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some credits may be fulfilled by courses required within the major.

Major Requirements

IA Foundation and Core Courses: 48 Credit Hours

General Education Courses: 41 Credit Hours

Cluster One (PHIL 120 recommended) 9 Credit Hours
Cluster Two (REL 101 recommended) 9 Credit Hours
Cluster Three (ISAT 251 or MATH 220 required) 10 Credit Hours
Cluster Four (POSC 200 or POSC 225 recommended) 7 Credit Hours
Cluster Five (PSYC 101 recommended) 6 Credit Hours

IA Elective Courses: 6 Credits

Students must take two of the following IA elective courses:

IA 341. System Dynamics Modeling, Simulation and Analysis Credits: 3.00
IA 360. Terrorism and Counterterrorism Credits: 3.00
IA 363. Apocalypticism, Religious Terrorism and Peace Credits: 3.00
IA 365. Cyber Intelligence Credits: 3.00
IA 370. Advanced Competitive Intelligence Credits: 3.00
IA 375. Political Geography Credits: 3.00
IA 459. Awareness and Understanding of Chemical, Biological and Radiological Weapons of Mass Destruction Credits: 3.00
IA 460. All Hazards Response And Management Systems Credits: 3.00
IA 480. Selected Topics in Intelligence Analysis Credits: 3.00 (IA 480 may be taken twice)

Subject Matter Specialty: 18-21 Credits

Students must complete a minor or a second major in another field (at least 18 credits). With the approval of an IA adviser, students may, in special cases, design their own custom concentration of six courses that fit together thematically and support the educational objectives of the IA program.