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
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 continue to progress in the major, students must complete the following courses with a minimum grade of "C":
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IA 150 | Introduction to Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| IA 200 | Introduction to National Security Intelligence | 3 |
| IA 240 | Technology Applications in a Networked World | 3 |
| IA 261 | Hypothesis Testing | 3 |
If more than 58 students receive a "C" or better in IA 200, IA 240 and IA 261, then the top 58 students based upon their average grades in those courses will be able to continue.
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 advisor regarding the selection of a minor that can be useful for the major if they begin during spring semester.
Degree Requirements
| Degree Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| General Education 1 | 41 |
| Quantitative requirement 2 | 3 |
| Scientific Literacy requirement 2 | 3 |
| Major requirements | 60 |
| Subject Matter Specialty | 18 |
| Total | 120 |
- 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.
- 2
Credits may be fulfilled with courses taken in the major.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| IA Foundations Courses | ||
| IA 150 | Introduction to Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| IA 175 | Introduction to Intelligence Analysis Domains | 3 |
| IA 200 | Introduction to National Security Intelligence | 3 |
| IA 250 | Research Design and Writing for Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| IA 300 | Seminar on Issues in Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| IA 405 | Ethics, Law and Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| IA 440 | Intelligence Analysis Capstone Project Preparation | 3 |
| IA 450 | Capstone Project in Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| Subtotal | 24 | |
| Technology Methods Courses | ||
| IA 240 | Technology Applications in a Networked World | 3 |
| IA 241 | Introduction to Programming and Data Science | 3 |
| IA 340 | Data Mining, Modeling and Knowledge Discovery | 3 |
| IA 342 | Visualization Methods, Technologies and Tools for Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Reasoning Methods Courses | ||
| IA 261 | Hypothesis Testing | 3 |
| IA 312 | Causal Analysis | 3 |
| IA 313 | Counterfactual Reasoning | 3 |
| IA 314 | Strategy Assessment (Rational Decision Theory) | 3 |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Statistics Course | ||
| Choose one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Topics in Applied Statistics in ISAT [C3QR] | ||
| Elementary Statistics [C3QR] | ||
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| IA Elective Courses | ||
| Students must take three of the following IA elective courses: | 9 | |
| System Dynamics Modeling, Simulation and Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Intelligence Analysis | ||
| Terrorism and Counterterrorism | ||
| Apocalypticism, Religious Terrorism and Peace | ||
| Cyber Intelligence | ||
| Advanced Competitive Intelligence | ||
| Foundations of Anti-Money Laundering | ||
| Political Geography | ||
| Awareness and Understanding of Chemical, Biological and Radiological Weapons of Mass Destruction | ||
| All Hazards Response and Management Systems | ||
| Selected Topics in Intelligence Analysis 2 | ||
| Internship in Intelligence Analysis | ||
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| Subject Matter Specialty | ||
| Students must complete a minor or a second major in another field (at least 18 credit hours). With the approval of an IA advisor, 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. | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 78 | |
Recommended Schedule for Majors
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| IA 150 | Introduction to Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| IA 175 | Introduction to Intelligence Analysis Domains | 3 |
| IA 200 | Introduction to National Security Intelligence | 3 |
| General Education requirement | 18 | |
| Courses for minor or second major | 3 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Second Year | ||
| IA 240 | Technology Applications in a Networked World | 3 |
| IA 241 | Introduction to Programming and Data Science | 3 |
| IA 250 | Research Design and Writing for Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| IA 261 | Hypothesis Testing | 3 |
| IA 312 | Causal Analysis | 3 |
| Courses for minor or second major | 6 | |
| General Education courses, stastistics requirement, and/or B.S. degree requirements | 9 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Third Year | ||
| IA 300 | Seminar on Issues in Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| IA 313 | Counterfactual Reasoning | 3 |
| IA 314 | Strategy Assessment (Rational Decision Theory) | 3 |
| IA 340 | Data Mining, Modeling and Knowledge Discovery | 3 |
| IA 342 | Visualization Methods, Technologies and Tools for Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| IA 405 | Ethics, Law and Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| IA electives | 3 | |
| General Education | 6 | |
| Courses for minor or second major | 3 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| IA 440 | Intelligence Analysis Capstone Project Preparation | 3 |
| IA 450 | Capstone Project in Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
| IA electives | 6 | |
| Courses for minor or second major | 6 | |
| Courses for second major or electives | 12 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |