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Applied Intelligence

Master of Science

Gain the theoretical and practical foundations you need to succeed as an applied intelligence analyst and leader in top government agencies, such as the FBI and CIA, through the master’s in applied intelligence program at Mercyhurst University.

Mercyhurst Ridge College of Intelligence and Applied Sciences is the originator of intelligence education at the university level, and has been preparing intelligence analysts since 1992.

Mercyhurst’s master’s in applied intelligence program emphasizes hands-on experience through real intelligence casework before you graduate, providing you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities you can use directly in your applied intelligence job.

Program Overview

Location(s): Online or On Campus
Credits: 34-36
Duration: Minimum 21 months
Cost: $1,057 per credit; $39,000 total
Start term(s): On campus – Fall preferred; online – Fall or spring

As the originator of intelligence education at the university level, Mercyhurst has been preparing intelligence analysts for more than 25 years. Our comprehensive graduate program prepares you for employment in a variety of settings with an unparalleled, sophisticated skillset related to research, writing, and communication.

The program’s applied focus ensures that students will experience real intelligence case work before graduating. This concrete experience leads to strong job placement and/or career advancement for our alumni. Our more than 2,200 intelligence alumni currently work in every branch of the government, more than a dozen Fortune 500 companies, and countless organizations committed to using intelligence analysis to their advantage for security or profit.

What is Applied Intelligence?

Applied intelligence is using the power of analytics to extract actionable insights from the vast amounts of data that exist in organizations today. These insights can help identify and forecast behavior and trends faster by discovering them earlier. Applied intelligence encompasses multiple disciplines, including science and technology, mathematics, social science, and the humanities.

A Focus on Research and Experience

Mercyhurst is focused on real-world application. That means you’ll have many opportunities to acquire actual work experience—even before you graduate. In addition to enhancing your skills and knowledge, you’ll also make professional connections so you can get a head start on your career while you’re still earning your master’s in Applied Intelligence.

Learning Outcomes

Our master’s in Applied Intelligence degree is designed to give you a competitive edge, preparing you to:

Interpret the theory and history of the intelligence discipline
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

Internships

While internships aren’t required in our program, we highly recommend you take advantage of this exceptional way to gain hands-on experience. To earn academic credit, you must complete a minimum of 200 hours as an intelligence analyst with a government agency, international agency, or corporation.

Career Outcomes

The last 20 years have seen a rise in applied intelligence jobs across public, private, and government sectors. Here are just a few applied intelligence jobs you’ll be prepared for with the Mercyhurst master’s in Applied Intelligence:

Intelligence analysts
Intelligence officers
Special agents
Social media analysts
Anti-money laundering
Market research analysts
Threat intelligence analysts
Police officers
Management consultants
Cyber security threat analysts
Business continuity analysts

Graduates of our applied intelligence programs work for many government agencies and more than a dozen Fortune 500 companies, including:

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
PricewaterhouseCoopers
U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps

Admissions Requirements

Prospective applicants for the Master of Science in Applied Intelligence must fulfill the following admissions requirements. At the discretion of the director of the intelligence graduate program, acceptance may be granted to applicants who have not fulfilled all the admissions requirements, provided they agree to the conditions of the acceptance prescribed by the director.

Admissions decisions are made by the program director on a rolling basis after a holistic review. Applicants can choose to start in either the Fall (preferred for students in the on-campus program) or Spring semesters.

Completed (free) online application.
A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited school with a preferred overall minimum GPA of 3.0.
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended.
A current resume.
A 500- to 750-word personal statement outlining your reasons for enrolling and personal and professional goals.
Two letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources (such as employers or professors).
International applicants whose records are written in a language other than English must have their documents translated into English and a notarized statement attesting to the accuracy of the translations.
International applicants whose primary language is not English must attain a TOEFL score of at least 69 on the internet-based exam OR an IELTS score of at least 5.8 OR a Duolingo English Test score of no less than 100.

An M.S. in Applied Intelligence with Mercyhurst can open new doors to positions in a variety of government or private sector organizations. Whether you’re ready to apply now or want to discover more, we’re here to help you.

Apply Today

If you’re ready to get started on your college application for the master’s in applied intelligence program at Mercyhurst University, complete your online application today.

Explore Financial Aid

Earn an affordable master’s degree in Applied Intelligence with competitive per-credit costs. Visit our Graduate Cost and Financial Aid webpage or contact us at grad@mercyhurst.edu or 814-824-3351.

Request More Information

Want to learn more? Complete this brief form and we’ll be in touch to make sure you have everything you need to make a decision on pursuing your M.S. in Applied Intelligence degree.

Applied Intelligence Graduate Certificate

Academics

Graduate Course Catalog

Dr. Fred Hoffman
Chair, Intelligence Studies
Office: CAE 307