National Security and Intelligence, MA (Arlington)

The Master of Arts in National Security and Intelligence is designed to prepare professionals working in the security industry and other related industries for success as leaders in the security field in an ever-changing, challenging global environment. This program will serve the mounting need for talent in the security field in both the government and private sectors.  

Beginning with students admitted in the fall of 2026, all students pursuing on-ground master's degree programs must complete a university-level experiential learning requirement. This requirement may be fulfilled through the curriculum, co-op, or other work- or industry-integrated learning experiences.

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated. 

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
SIA 6105	Introduction to National and Homeland Security	3
SIA 6115	National Security—Law and Policy	3
SIA 6125	Security and Civil Liberties	3
SIA 6135	The Intelligence Community	3
SIA 6145	Terrorism and Counterterrorism	3
Restricted Elective
Complete 3 semester hours from the following:		3
SIA 6400	Intelligence in a Globalized World
SIA 6410	Human Intelligence Operations
SIA 6420	Analysis for Counterterrorism
SIA 6430	Corporate Security and Investigations
SIA 6440	Governance and Security Information Implications
SIA 6450	Contemporary Threats to Security
SIA 6460	Technology for Homeland Security
SIA 6470	Strategic Planning and Budgeting
SIA 6480	Risk Management
SIA 6983	Topics in National and Homeland Security
Capstone
SIA 6980	National Security and Intelligence Capstone	4

Concentration or Electives Option 

A concentration is not required. Students may complete the electives option in lieu of a concentration.

• Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Strategic Intelligence and Analysis
• Electives Option

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

34 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required

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Homeland Security and Emergency Management Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
SIA 6640	Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection	3
SIA 6650	Continuity of Operations and Planning	3
SIA 6660	Essentials of Emergency Management	3
SIA 6670	Advanced Emergency Management	3

 Strategic Intelligence and Analysis Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
SIA 6600	Leading Intelligence Operations	3
SIA 6610	Intelligence Analysis and Policymakers	3
SIA 6620	All-Source Intelligence	3
SIA 6630	Counterintelligence	3

Electives Option

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Complete courses from either concentration above or from the unused elective options in the restricted elective of the major.		12

Optional Experiential Learning Opportunities

The College of Professional Studies encourages its students to incorporate optional experiential learning opportunities in their academic plans. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Co-op
This option requires 1 additional semester hour of credit and tuition in addition to this program's required credit hours.
INT 6200	Experiential Project Preparation	1
COP 6945	Co-op Work Experience—Full Time	0
or COP 6946	Global Co-op Work Experience—Full Time
or COP 6954	Co-op Work Experience - Half-Time
Integrative Experiential Learning
This option substitutes for 3 semester hours of restricted elective credits in programs that require at least 3 semester hours of restricted elective credits. If the student has already completed the program's restricted electives or the program does not have an elective requirement, this option requires 3 additional hours of credit and tuition in addition to this program's required credit hours.
INT 6943	Integrative Experiential Learning	3