Introduction
While the intelligence field and the art of
intelligence gathering have been around longer than nation states, there
has been significant growth in strategic security- related curriculum
such as intelligence degree programs and intelligence study courses over
the past decade. In addition to the growing number of both online and
traditional degree programs in this field, government agencies even have
their own programs dedicated to intelligence study. Since September
11th, research indicates that over 250 strategic security' related
degree programs have been created. Scholars debate whether future
intelligence analysts are best served by a traditional liberal arts
program focused on area studies or a more direct program in intelligence
study. I suggest, however, that intelligence study and organized
intelligence degree programs fit a niche for specific individuals who
already have a specific career goal in mind - intelligence analysis.
This article discusses the curriculum and theory behind intelligence
degree programs and provides some info on why such programs are useful.
Anatomy of an Intelligence Degree Program
Intelligence degree
programs and intelligence study courses fit within the growing body of
strategic security curriculum in the United States and abroad. Strategic
security can be defined as the multidisciplinary, global view of past,
present, and future security issues that permits the timely accumulation
of accurate, objective knowledge, which may be acted upon skillfully
and rapidly in the deterrence of threats. Strategic security is the
basis of fields such as intelligence, counterterrorism, and homeland
security.
The overarching purpose of intelligence is to collect
and analyze information that is relevant to ever-changing national
security requirements. Intelligence degree programs and intelligence
study programs help to ensure that the people and processes involved in
these efforts are effective and germane. The U.S. Intelligence Community
and related federal law enforcement agencies are in need of experts in
analytic tradecraft - individuals who have a broad understanding of the
many threats facing the U.S. from terrorists and other belligerent state
and non-state actors.
Intelligence study and intelligence degree
programs are typically designed to prepare students to understand the
dynamic threats facing one's country in an uncertain security
environment. While some intelligence degree programs are topical or
thematic in nature, such as those which focus specifically on terrorism,
other programs focus on the analytics behind intelligence analysis,
thus helping to develop students' critical thinking skills. Such
programs concentrate on one or more function within intelligence
operations: collection, analysis, counterintelligence, and/or covert
action. Well- rounded intelligence degree programs encompass the art and
science of how intelligence professionals employ analytic and
operational tradecraft to achieve their goals and objectives.
Intelligence Degree Program Value
Stephen
Fowler, the Education Practices Chairmen of the International
Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE), in an essay on national
security intelligence analysis courses discusses the increased growth of
intelligence degree programs and the field of intelligence study. He
questions whether these programs are truly preparing students to become
intelligence analysts and whether such programs are better than
traditional liberal arts programs that teach students to think. He
suggests that good intelligence study programs include the following
components: the development of problem-solving skills and sound
reasoning strategies, some focus on an analytic framework such as a
regional, country, or a functional-specific theme (terrorism), basic
warning theories and indicator development, analytical tradecraft
methodologies, and intelligence analytic writing and briefing
techniques.
Strong intelligence degree programs will include these
components and thus are a good option for bachelor's or master's degree
students who know that a career in the intelligence field is right for
them. Bottom line: intelligence degree programs are great for those
individuals who know they are interested in a career in intelligence. By
developing critical thinking skills and tradecraft through specific
coursework and research within the intelligence field, students will be
learning these skills through a medium which is relevant to their future
job and will therefore be ready to hit the ground running in the
intelligence field.
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