MA Global Security (Intelligence Studies) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Arts program in global security with a concentration in intelligence studies prepares you to analyze and address contemporary intelligence challenges at the intersection of global security and policymaking. This program equips you with advanced skills in critical thinking, research and analysis across multiple intelligence domains including open-source intelligence, technology-driven change, decision making under uncertainty, and the human dimensions of intelligence.

What you will study

30 credit hours including the required capstone course (GSC 550) Required Core (3 credit hours) GSC 501 War, Conflict and Security (3) Concentration (12 credit hours) GSC 581 Intelligence and National Security Decision-Making (3) GSC 582 Intelligence and Technology (3) GSC 585 Covert Action (3) GSC 586 Open-source Intelligence (3) Electives or Research (12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) GSC 550 Capstone (3)

Career pathways

Graduates of the intelligence studies concentration can seek employment in careers across the U.S. intelligence community's agencies, the Department of Defense, and other federal departments with intelligence elements.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = ''A'') in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: graduate admissions application and application fee official transcripts personal statement professional resume proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency by scoring at least 4 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)®, or a score of 80 if taken before January 21, 2026 in a testing center; 6.5 on the IELTS; or 105 on the Duolingo English test.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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