Global Security and Intelligence Studies

Overview

The Global Security and Intelligence Studies program (GSIS) is a unique blend of academic and professional studies designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become future leaders in the intelligence, security and law enforcement communities. The GSIS program prepares students for critical thinking and analysis by providing a sound foundation in the liberal arts including foreign languages and cultures, history, economics, international law, foreign policy and world geography.

Students can select the GSIS standard track or the GSIS/Chinese track. Students on the GSIS/Chinese track take the same subject courses and the same number of credits (122 credits) as those in the GSIS standard track. In the GSIS/Chinese track, students take 45 credits of Chinese courses rather than the 12 credits in foreign language required in the GSIS standard track. The 45 credits include selected GSIS general education and designated elective courses taught in Mandarin Chinese with supplementary assignments in English. Study abroad courses may be taken after the spring semester of the sophomore year.

The GSIS program requirements develop future security and intelligence professionals with a broad understanding of global interrelationships in languages and cultures, politics, economics, social change, science and technology, military developments, and environmental issues. Students explore the cultural, sociological and psychological dimensions of war, conflicts and terrorism. The implications of these complex interrelationships for the security of nation-states and the future of human society in a global context are emphasized.

Students in the GSIS degree program can expect to:

• Study and apply the key concepts and principles involved in the collection and analysis of both tactical and strategic intelligence for diplomatic, economic, military, and homeland defense purposes;
• Acquire critical language and cross-cultural communication skills;
• Study the nature of terrorism and asymmetric warfare; the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction; the security of the U.S. homeland; and protection of government and private sector organizations and personnel;
• Focus on the integration of intelligence with U.S. diplomatic and military actions in the international arena;
• Learn basic security concepts and their application in both the government and private sector in a multicultural, international environment;
• Focus on homeland security, critical infrastructure protection, information protection and cyber security, transportation security including aviation security, emergency management and forensic science applications in security, intelligence and law enforcement.

Students may select areas of concentration in Intelligence, Criminal Justice and Security, Pre-Law and Government, or a combination of Security and Intelligence. The Senior Project Requirement may include a formal academic thesis; engaging in research while serving as an intern with a government, private security or intelligence organization; or completing a capstone course incorporating the knowledge they have obtained and applying it in a semester long crisis simulation or problem.

Students are also strongly encouraged to gain international experience through travel or study abroad and to gain field experience through government and private sector internships throughout the program.

Advantages

• Students graduate with the knowledge and skill sets to begin a career in the high-demand fields of intelligence, security and law enforcement
• Students have frequent interaction with professors in their classes and as advisors who have real-life field experience
• Students have opportunities for internships with national, state and local government and private agencies seeking intelligence and security personnel. Our students have completed internships with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Kentucky and Arizona Homeland Security Departments, San Diego County Regional Airport, and Northrop-Grumman and Boeing among others.
• Study critical, high demand foreign languages such as Chinese and Arabic, which enhance the student's skills and employment potential
• Design a program by adding a minor that complements your unique interests
• Meet recruiters and visit national agencies located in the hub of U.S. intelligence and security operations during the annual trip to Washington, D.C.
• Immerse yourself in a program surrounded by others like you who have a drive and passion toward success and making an impact on the world

Careers

The long-term career outlook for graduates from the Global Security and Intelligence Studies program is outstanding. The knowledge and skill sets that students learn coupled with the practical experience they gain makes them very competitive for employment in both the government and private sectors in organizations and agencies such as:

• Federal government intelligence, diplomatic, security and law enforcement agencies
• All branches of the U.S. military including the U.S. Coast Guard
• International and domestic corporations particularly in their security and intelligence departments
• Private intelligence, security, and asset/risk management consulting firms
• Non-governmental national and international organizations such as the American Red Cross and World Bank
• State and local homeland security, emergency management, and law enforcement agencies
• Staff members specializing in security and intelligence matters for federal and state legislative bodies, regulatory agencies and political leaders
• Continuing graduate education opportunities in law, criminal justice, international and area studies.

Professional Associations

Our students have the opportunity to join several professional organizations on campus to enable them to gain a better understanding of their chosen profession. They are able to attend professional gatherings, discuss their career desires with working professionals, and begin to develop their career network.

• American Society of Industrial Security, Eagle Chapter, Prescott, AZ
• Society of Retired Intelligence Officers
• American Association of Airport Executives

Faculty