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.

Master's in Applied Intelligence Program Overview

• Location(s): Online or On Campus
• Credits: 34 to 36
• Duration: Minimum 21 months
• Cost: $1,026 per credit; $37,000 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 1,000 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’s Ridge College 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.

What you’ll learn in your master’s in applied intelligence degree

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

• Appraise collected data using a variety of analytic techniques and methodologies
• Prepare analyses in written, oral, visual, and/or multimedia formats
• Devise open-source research and data collection and management practices
• Facilitate and manage intelligence processes and practices
• Produce research in the intelligence field

Internships in Applied Intelligence

While internships aren’t required in our master’s in applied intelligence degree 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 in Applied Intelligence

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 79 on the internet-based exam OR an IELTS score of at least 6.5 OR a Duolingo English Test score of no less than 100

Ready to get started on your master’s in applied intelligence?

An MS 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.

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