Department of Intelligence Studies

Intel education on the cutting edge.

We graduate in-demand, entry-level analysts who are skilled in preparing assessments based on the collection, correlation and analysis of intelligence data for employers both in government and private sectors, especially those in business, law enforcement, national security and the military. This unique and academically challenging multidisciplinary program combines a liberal arts core with a foreign language or computer requirement, as well as national and international studies, an internship experience, and intelligence courses. As the worldwide demand for skilled analysts continues to grow — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for analysts will grow by as much as 19 percent by 2024 — you’ll stand out with a degree from our internationally recognized intelligence program.

Fast Facts

The Department of Intelligence Studies provides research and analysis products to clients such as the Department of Defense, the European Union, Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble.
Our students can connect with an alumni base of more than 1,200 graduates who work in a wide-range of fields and organizations in the intelligence community.
Annually, more than 200 Intelligence Studies students receive contracts to conduct work for U.S. intelligence agencies and private companies.

Explore Undergraduate Programs

Explore Graduate Programs

1 /

Types of Jobs

Graduates of the program have accepted employment in the following types of positions to name a few: Intelligence Analysts, Intelligence Officers, Special Agents and Social Media Analysts.
Veteran Resources

Mercyhurst University is a participant of the Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that allows veterans to attend graduate programs, which cost more than the state tuition cap.
Career Outcomes

Graduates have accepted employment with a diverse set of federal agencies, global corporations, and international NGOs. A small sample includes: Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Wells Fargo.

The Tom Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences recommends the following intelligence-related blogs:

There are a variety of clubs in which our students and faculty are active members which creates opportunities for students and professors to nurture and enrich their passion for intelligence work and come together outside of the classroom setting.

Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) Club

Established in 1986, today the Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) organization has over 50 chapters around the world, with individual members in more than 50 nations. SCIP is a global nonprofit membership organization for everyone involved in creating and managing business knowledge. Their mission is to enhance the skills of knowledge professionals in order to help their members' companies achieve and maintain a competitive advantage. Specifically, SCIP provides education and networking opportunities for business professionals working in the rapidly growing field of competitive intelligence (the legal and ethical collection and analysis of information regarding the capabilities, vulnerabilities, and intentions of business competitors). Many SCIP members have backgrounds in market research, strategic analysis, or science and technology.

The Mercyhurst College SCIP chapter became the first SCIP student chapter in the world in 1997. Since then they've managed to provide numerous speakers to their members as well as send twenty-five students to annual conferences. Please visit SCIP's website for more information.

Law Enforcement Intelligence Club

The Law Enforcement Intelligence Club was the earliest student club to exist within the Intelligence Studies programs at Mercyhurst University. Building on its long tradition, the club regularly meets for special events, speakers, and seminars on the field.

Cyber Threat Research Analysis Club (CTRAC)

Cyber Threat Research Analysis Club (CTRAC) was founded in early 2012 by a small group of students which recognized the growing demand for analysts in cyber practices. With an objective of assisting students in getting internships and jobs, CTRAC provides its members with the knowledge, skills, and tools sought by employers in the public and private sector. Members participate in analysis projects for businesses and organizations, contributions to Cyberpedia, club led discussions, and guest speakers from around the country working in different practices of cyber.

Mercyhurst University National Security Club

The National Security Club (NSC) is an umbrella organization that brings together several national security related organizations/associations on the Mercyhurst campus. The NSC will promote the development of its members through organized events and functions that will educate and inform about national security issues.

Anti-Money Laundering Club

The purpose of Anti-Money Laundering Club shall be to raise awareness in the Mercyhurst community about money laundering and its social and economic impact, as well as to generate interest in the national and global efforts to combat this crime. The club aims to introduce students to potential career opportunities in the field of Anti-Money Laundering through the conduction of research, the competition of products, and the participation in various networking opportunities.

Below is a list of agencies and organizations that our alumni are employed at. With over 500 alumni across the world, this list isn't exhaustive, but provides a general idea of where a Mercyhurst Intelligence Study degree can take you.

National and International Government Agencies and Organizations

Central Intelligence Agency
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Bureau of Customs & Border Protection
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
Central FL High Intensity Drug Trafficking
Defense Intelligence Agency
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
FINCEN
Holland Criminal Investigation
INTERPOL
Jamestown, NY Police Department
National Air & Space Intelligence Center
National Crime Intelligence Service, Sweden
National Drug Intelligence Center
National Security Agency
Office of Naval intelligence
US Army, Military Intelligence
U.S. Secret Service
Washington Baltimore HIDTA
Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department

Corporations and Organizations

Accenture
American Background Information Service
Meritor, Inc
BAE Systems
Bank of America
Booz Allen Hamilton
Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Chautauqua Foundation
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Discovery Resources, Inc
Eastman Kodak Co
Exxon Mobil
Key Bank
International Property Services
Investment Data Corporation
JP Morgan Chase
Low & Associates
McManis & Monsalve Associates
Murphy Magonahe
Northrup Grumman
Philip-Morris
Proactive Worldwide
Procter & Gamble
SRA International, Inc.
Target Corporation
TradeBytes Data Corp
Wells Fargo
VISA International

Professional Associations

Below are some of the professional associations that our alumni, students, and faculty belong to:

Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals
International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts
Association of Former Intelligece Officers
International Association for Intelligence Education
International Association of Crime Analysts
Naval Intelligence Professionals
Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI
Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit
International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals
National Military Intelligence Association

The Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences at Mercyhurst began its own publication arm in 2005 as the Institute began to develop its own intelligence publications.

The Mercyhurst Institute for Intelligence Studies Press since then has developed several publications now available for purchase and is in the process of developing several more. Faculty and students from the Institute have collaborated to develop these specialized publications which will be useful to intelligence students, educators, and professionals.

Aid, Intervention, and Terror: The Impact of Foreign Aid and Foreign Military Intervention on Terror Events and Severity | Feb 11, 2019
Written By: Orlandrew E. Danzell
Wikis and Intelligence Analysis | May 17, 2012
Written By: Kevin Flanagan, JoEllen Marsh, Kathleen Moore, Emily Walker, Kristan Wheaton, and Stephanie Williams, and JoEllen Marsh, Editors
The Analyst's Cookbook | Jan 30, 2006
Written By: Kristan Wheaton, a 164-page compilation of 16 analytic methods applicable to a variety of intelligence analysis taskings.
Structured Analysis of Competing Hypotheses | Jun 09, 2006 (Currently out of print)
Description: Analytic Methodologies Project 2006, an 80-page booklet explaining an analytic method developed at the MCIIS from the original Analysis of Competing Hypotheses originally developed by Richards Heuer.
The Analyst's Style Manual | Jan 01, 2008
Description: MCIIS, a 60-page manual to guide intelligence analysts in dealing with basic grammar, spelling and abbreviation rules, as well as basic writing principles.
Walking Through the Halls of Intelligence: A Second Look at Recent Graduate Research | Feb 01, 2009
Description: Mercyhurst University Intelligence Communications Class 2007-2008, a look at a dozen research theses authored by Mercyhurst College Intelligence Studies master’s degree candidates since 2006.