The Graduate Certificate in Intelligence and National Security provides an interdisciplinary graduate education for people engaged in or seeking professional careers in intelligence policy with a focus on analysis of security threats or crises, both domestic and international, through use of human, electronic and public domain intelligence sources.
In addition, students will be introduced to various analytic approaches including game theory, network analysis, nonintrusive measurement, geospatial approaches and quantitative analysis.
Graduates are prepared to perform "key functions including conducting research and gathering information, identifying intelligence gaps, interpreting and evaluating information from multiple (and sometimes contradictory) sources, monitoring trends and events related to a particular country or issue, and preparing written and oral assessments." This expectation comes from the job description for an intelligence analyst established by the federal government at www.intelligence.gov/careers-in-intelligence/analysis.html.
The certificate in Intelligence and National Security consists of 18 credit hours at the graduate level, including two required core courses and four electives.
Total Credit Hours Required: 18 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Program Prerequisites
Applicants who have been admitted to a degree-seeking graduate program at UCF may apply for admission to the certificate program.
Other interested applicants must contact the Certificate Advisor to inquire about admission to the certificate program prior to applying.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
6 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- POS6736 - Conduct of Political Inquiry (3)
- POS6746 - Quantitative Methods in Political Research (3)
- POS7745 - Advanced Quantitative Methods in Political Research (3)
- CCJ6704 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3)
- CCJ7708 - Advanced Quantitative Methods for Criminal Justice Research (3)
- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- INR6365 - Seminar on Intelligence (3)
- INR6366 - The Intelligence Community (3)
Restricted Electives
12 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- All students take four of the following courses. Students can substitute up to two geographic area courses as part of their four-course elective area with approval of the certificate program director.
- Complete at least 4 of the following:
- POS6686 - National Security Law (3)
- POS6743 - Geographic Tools for Political Science Research (3)
- CPO6058 - Revolution and Political Violence (3)
- CPO6206 - Comparative Politics of Africa (3)
- CPO6307 - Issues in Latin American Politics (3)
- CPO6407 - Comparative Politics of the Middle East (3)
- CPO6729 - Global Security in the Age of Migration (3)
- INR6062 - Peace Studies (3)
- INR6065 - Seminar on War (3)
- INR6068 - Politics of Civil Wars (3)
- INR6108 - Seminar in American Foreign Policy (3)
- INR6136 - Seminar in American Security Policy (3)
- INR6137 - Terrorism and Politics (3)
- INR6257 - International Relations of Africa (3)
- INR6275 - International Politics of the Middle East (3)
- INR6339 - Strategic Warning Analysis (3)
- INR6346 - Politics of International Terrorism (3)
- INR6356 - Environmental Security (3)
- INR6726 - Political Behavior in International Conflict (3)
- CCJ6027 - Criminal Justice Responses to Terrorism (3)
- CCJ6027 - Criminal Justice Responses to Terrorism (3)
- CCJ6074 - Investigative and Intelligence Analysis: Theory and Methods (3)
- CJE6688 - Cyber Crime and Criminal Justice (3)
Grand Total Credits: 18
Application Requirements
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution recognized by UCF is required for admission into the graduate certificate program.
Applicants who have been admitted to a degree-seeking graduate program at UCF may apply for admission to the certificate program through the UCF graduate school online portal.
Other interested applicants must contact the Certificate Advisor to inquire about admission to the certificate program prior to applying.
Applicants must apply online. All requested material must be submitted prior to the deadline; materials received after the deadline may not be considered. Admission to this certificate program is competitive; applicants are not guaranteed admission.
All applicants to this certificate program will be required to submit:
- A current professional resume
- An academic goal statement addressing the applicant's interest in pursuing the certificate program, career goals, and any experience that he or she has had in the field.
- An official transcript from each college/university attended.
Application Deadlines
| Intelligence and National Security Graduate Certificate | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | | Jul 1 | Dec 1 | Apr 1 |
| International Applicants | | | | |
