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College of Professional Studies

Security and Intelligence Studies

Master's

The Master of Arts in Security and Intelligence Studies prepares you to take a leadership role in the security field. You'll be ready to anticipate and lead responses to security threats in a challenging global environment.

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Program Format
Primarily online
Time Commitment
Part time, Full time
Duration
18 Months
Entry Term(s)
Fall, Spring, Winter
Meets F1 visa requirements
No

Program overview

Lead the way in global security

Global security is an evolving issue facing countries, companies, and communities. Successful security and intelligence experts need specialized critical thinking and problem solving skills to effectively lead responses to today’s threats.

The Master of Arts in Security and Intelligence Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach that merges security, law, diplomacy, politics, and constitutional rights to create well-rounded leaders. You’ll gain skills in intelligence collection and dissemination, analysis, research, threat assessment, and evaluation of information and policy development while focusing on the importance of civil liberties in pursuing security.

While this program is offered on campus, most of your classes will be taken online, allowing you to work with an extended network of students.

 


Please note: Beginning fall 2026, this program will transition from a quarter-based to a semester-based format under the new name MA in National Security and Intelligence. View the program conversion guide for curriculum details or visit the FAQ page  for more information. Students enrolling before fall 2026 will receive advising support to ensure a smooth transition with no impact on academic progress or tuition.

You’ll learn from security experts, each with at least 20 years of teaching and real-world experience. They’ll share their experiences as constitutional lawyers, White House advisors, CIA operatives, military intelligence officers, and more.

  • Benefit from a multidisciplinary approach that merges security leadership skills and an understanding of civil liberties.
  • Gain a whole-of-government approach to security studies with a set of required foundational courses and a broad range of electives to choose from.
  • Focus your degree with three tracks: Corporate Security Management, Homeland Security & Emergency Management, and Strategic Intelligence & Analysis
  • Prepare for security roles such as intelligence analyst, special agent, information security officer, corporate security specialist and manager, criminal investigator, or fraud investigator.
  • Security and intelligence-related occupations are projected to grow much faster than the average. New positions combined with replacements are expected to produce more than 200,000 openings per year across the United States. (JobsEQ)
  • Federal employment has grown for most security-related occupations. Emergency management specialists reported the highest growth, followed by investigative analysis. (opm.gov)
  • Top Boston employers for security professionals include Humana, MassMutual Financial Group, Deloitte, State Street Corporation, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. (JobsEQ)

Admissions

Apply to the program

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:

Domestic Application Guidelines

International Application Guidelines*

*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.


  • Online application

  • Professional resumé

  • Unofficial, personal copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended; official transcripts are required at the time of enrollment

    • The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents. Please review the FCE requirements by country.

  • English language proficiency proof

  • Please refer to the CPS Apply Now page to learn about additional materials that may be required

Program objectives

Prepare for success

Gain the problem solving and critical thinking skills needed to address security challenges in today’s increasingly complex global environment.

Technical expertise

Hone your skills in intelligence collection and dissemination, analysis, research, threat assessment, and evaluation of information and policy development.

Focus on civil liberties

Understand the importance of civil liberties in pursing security in civil society for a holistic approach to security.

Connect with us

Want more information?

We’re here to answer your questions about this program, the application process, and more. Complete the form below to receive additional program details and speak with a member of our enrollment team. 

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Cost of attendance

Tuition and financial aid

  • $41,355
    Tuition in USD

Estimated Total Tuition

This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2025-2026 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.

For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.

There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more. Connect with a financial counselor to learn about your options and make your dream a reality.

Visit tuition & financial aid
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