Program Details
Bachelor of Science, Major in Intelligence Analysis
Bachelor of ScienceJames Madison University
The Intelligence Analysis (IA) major prepares students to become analysts in either the public or private sectors, with a specialization in intelligence analysis.
The IA program provides students with a multidisciplinary educational foundation and an overlay of skills development particularly in the areas of technology and analytic production.
Students learn innovative ways to structure their thinking, assess complex real-world problems and communicate those assessments to decision makers.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | The Bachelor of Science degree in Intelligence Analysis provides a multi-disciplinary education for students who seek careers as analysts, with a specialization in intelligence analysis. To become an Intelligence Analysis major, you must commit to 3 full, consecutive academic years. Each IA course is part of a sequence that, given pre-requisites, must be taken in a specific order. The course sequence cannot be completed in fewer than 3 years. Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to the intelligence analysis major. Full admission to IA is competitive and occurs for transfer students after their first fall semester. Students must complete IA 150 “Introduction to Intelligence Analysis” with a grade of “C” or better, and also take IA 200, 240, and 261. The top students (based on their grades in IA 200, IA 240, and IA 261) are invited to continue. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Complete courses with a grade of C or higher that are equivalent to JMU’s general education courses. If you have the opportunity, take a statistics course equivalent to JMU’s MATH 220 or ISAT 251. If you are interested in learning a foreign language to supplement your Intelligence Analysis major, then you may wish to consider taking beginning language courses at your 2-year institution.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | As part of the IA major, you are required to complete either a minor or another major in a different field. This allows you to combine the content of the IA major with any other minor (or major) across campus to create a 'subject matter specialty' that reflects your interests. Through a collaboration with the Intelligence Analysis and Geography programs, students interested in geospatial intelligence can become certified with the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation. Internships are encouraged, and our students are highly competitive across a variety of positions in the analytic community. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | About 50% of IA students acquire an internship – and through it about 20% acquire a security clearance – prior to graduation. Most graduates become analysts, with approximately half acquiring jobs in the national security sector. Many become technology analysts for the government or contractors, while some become intelligence analysts. Some historical data regarding the placement of IA graduates can be found at: https://www.jmu.edu/ia/prospective-students/faqs/index.shtml. Student groups associated with Intelligence Analysis organize guest speakers (frequently national security, military, or law enforcement) and workshops for resumes, interviews, internships, and jobs. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between James Madison University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of an approved transfer associate degree will guarantee fulfillment of JMU's General Education requirements. https://www.jmu.edu/transfer/VCCStransfer/ASDegrees.shtml |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
| Credit for Prior Learning | JMU accepts and reviews AP, IB, CIE and CLEP for all students with eligible scores, which may be different than at your prior institution. JMU will complete an independent review of the test score to apply credit to the JMU student record. Credit for prior learning (CLEP) is awarded on a per case basis for Adult Degree (Individualized Studies Majors) and RN-BSN students only and in consultation with the department of expertise, with the exception of military service credit. Credit for learning acquired in military service is awarded by the registrar's office using the ACE guide credit recommendation for study/experience listed on the military transcript and in consultation with the department of expertise. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | JMU is a mid to large size institution that behaves more like a smaller institution. Faculty and staff hold students as the top priority. JMU has a 96% satisfaction rate. 89% of classes have less than 50 students. JMU is the #1 most recommended public University in the US by the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education; JMU is the #1 Best College for Employment in Virginia according to U.S. Department of Education statistics compiled by Zippia. JMU has the highest post-graduation job levels of all Virginia colleges. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Transfer applicants applying through the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement must submit a Letter of Intent prior to applying to JMU. Requirements and forms are available at: https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer-GAA.shtml |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-9199.11 | Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.02 | Compliance Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.08 | Loss Prevention Managers | Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.00 | Managers, All Other | All managers not listed separately. | Management Occupations |
| 25-1199.00 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | All postsecondary teachers not listed separately. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 11-9199.01 | Regulatory Affairs Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.10 | Wind Energy Development Managers | Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects. | Management Occupations |
| 11-9199.09 | Wind Energy Operations Managers | Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete