Online Intelligence Studies Degree Programs

Intelligence studies jobs involve gathering, storing, and analyzing secret or proprietary information to maintain and strengthen national security and defense. Homeland security depends on the discovery and understanding of intelligence from established and potential national threats. Here's how you can prepare for a career in national security and intelligence studies.

College Degrees in Intelligence Studies

Career training can vary depending on specific jobs. At a minimum, a liberal arts education is useful in terms of gaining background in historical and cultural information pertinent to your assignments. Most positions within government agencies require a bachelor's or master's degree in fields specified by job requirements. Examples include degrees in computer science, criminal justice, foreign languages, and international affairs. Becoming fluent in one or more foreign languages can help you land oversees assignments. In addition to core subjects such as math, English, social and physical sciences, you can expect to study advanced courses related to your major including international affairs, geography, computer science, and more. Military training and experience in these areas is also a good source of career training for homeland security and other intelligence studies positions.

Skills for Intelligence Careers

As an intelligence professional, you may work for a government agency such as the CIA, but there are also employment prospects in corporate, research, and educational institutions. Although your job may not offer the glamour and excitement associated with spy movies, you may perform duties including intercepting and analyzing communications in electronic and written forms. You may also study technology used by adversarial entities, as well as imagery, documents, and electronic transmissions. You may collect and analyze imagery of objects, individuals, or locations, engage in espionage, create and decipher codes, or interpret media information such as radio, television, and newspapers. If you work for a private business you may use similar methods to collect, monitor, and analyze information. In both government and business intelligence, your job may include information gathering and analysis; using and analyzing communications and computer technology; deciphering and analyzing oral and written communications; and translating, writing, speaking, and reading foreign languages.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, analytical and interpretive ability, and interpersonal skills are important qualifications for intelligence studies. You may work alone and with others, so it's essential to communicate and relate well with a variety of colleagues and associates. Your ability to maintain high levels of discretion, confidence, and integrity is essential to your career, and possibly the wellbeing of your organization, government, or nation.

Intelligence Careers Salary Stats

Typical salaries for positions within the CIA for positions including Counter Intelligence Threat Analysts, Collection Analysts, and Analytic Methodologists range from about $41,000 to $91,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Private sector positions can pay more depending on job descriptions. If you're looking for a challenging career that offers the opportunity to promote homeland security or protect your private sector employer from potential security breaches, a career in intelligence studies can be a great match.

• Law
• Homeland Security