Competitive Intelligence

Study mode:Online Study type:Part-time Languages: English
 
StudyQA ranking:10033 Duration:24 months

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The Master of Arts in National Security Studies prepares students for mid and senior level positions in national and international security policy, security and intelligence analysis, and related fields. Graduates of the program can be found across the national and international security community as civilian and military policy-makers, action-officers, analysts, instructors, and consultants.

The program is an excellent substitute for military or civilian personnel unable to attend a staff or war college, but who require a strong background in the substantive knowledge and analytic skills required of security specialists. The program is also excellent preparation for those who will eventually attend a staff or war college as it incorporates instruction in advanced security analysis not normally taught in senior military schools. Students must take NSEC500 as the first required course in this program.

NSEC699 - Master's Capstone Seminar in Security

The Master's Capstone Seminar option includes a thesis, or a major research project or paper in lieu of the final comprehensive examination, which has no credit hours. Those who elect this option may reduce their electives by three semester hours to accommodate the seminar option credit. This option is desirable for those students who wish to apply their advanced research skills to a topic of US or international security interest or who would plan to continue their education at a higher level.

In addition to the institutional and degree level outcome objectives, the Master of Arts in National Security Studies seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. Graduates in this degree program will be able to:

  • Appraise classic and contemporary theories, strategies, doctrines, and procedures related to the causes, conduct, and termination of armed conflict and the maintenance of peace.
  • Assess and predict traditional and non-traditional threats to national and international security.
  • Compare the structures, functions, capabilities, and activities of national and international security community members.
  • Conduct advanced research and compose professional and academic analyses on issues critical to national and international security.

Concentration Objectives

  • Apply advanced security and intelligence analysis methods in composing professional and academic analyses on issues critical to national and international security.

American Public University is part of American Public University System, an accredited university offering more than 180 degree and certificate programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. All courses are online, so students have the flexibility of taking classes any time or any place that fits their schedule. Our degree programs are designed to be challenging and relevant to working adults in both the public and private sectors and can help enhance their current career or prepare them for a career change.

Concentration Requirements

  • INTL501 Strategic Intelligence
  • INTL502 Collection
  • INTL506 Analytics II
  • INTL507 Intelligence Operations
  • IRLS600 Strategic Geography and Geopolitics
  • NSEC608 Regional Security Cooperation

Our university welcomes international applicants from many countries around the world. We are an online university and students are not required to enter the U.S. Therefore, we do not issue I-20 or DS-2019 forms for the F-1 or J-1 student visas.

In addition to the admission requirements for undergraduate or graduate study, we may require additional documents related to residency, English proficiency, and educational background. Our institution maintains the right to require this documentation when needed.Master's degree and graduate certificate students with graduate-level credit to transferBachelor's degree verification required as noted above.

Students wishing to transfer credit to their master's degree or graduate certificate must submit a Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) application. The TCE is optional at the graduate level. Only graduate-level courses are eligible for transfer at this level of study.

Those that earned their graduate-level credit at a CHEA or AUCC accredited institution must provide an official copy of their transcript for the TCE. Those that earned their graduate-level credit at a non-CHEA or non-AUCC accredited institution must have a course-by-course evaluation for U.S. equivalency conducted by an APUS-approved agency for the TCE.

Applicants residing in the U.S. are required to have a current U.S. residency card, appropriate current Visa, or Social Security Number card and are required to submit that documentation to APUS for record retention.

Depending on the country of citizenship applicants may be required to provide documentation of English proficiency before being able to register for class.

Non-U.S. Transcripts

As an international student, you must have your non-U.S. college and university transcripts (those not accredited by CHEA or AUCC) evaluated by a credential evaluation agency, listed below, that can interpret your educational background received outside the United States and provide statements of U.S. equivalencies.

Agency Issued Reports

Evaluation agencies will complete your evaluation in one of two ways:

Degree-only verification: Verifies the type of degree earned and whether or not the non-U.S. institution degree is equivalent to one earned at an accredited U.S. institution.Course by course evaluation: Verifies whether or not the non-U.S. institution is equivalent to an accredited U.S. institution and includes a separate report that provides U.S. semester credit, grade equivalent, and level equivalent (graduate or undergraduate) for each course. This report is used for Transfer Credit Evaluations (TCE) and three year non-U.S. bachelor degrees.

Accepted Credential Evaluation Agencies

You are responsible for contacting one of these accepted foreign education evaluation agencies to have your non-U.S. transcript evaluated, and to receive procedure and fee information:Office of International Education Services, Credentials Analysis Service at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. (AACRAO)Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). We only accept the academic report which includes the earned credential equivalency and a course-by-course report.National Association of Credential Evaluation Services National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). C

Because membership may change throughout the year, visit the NACES or AICE websites to see the most current information.Agencies Should Use the Following Address to Send Transcript Evaluations:American Public University SystemAttn: Document Services10110 Battleview Parkway, Suite 114Manassas, VA 20109Please note: Faxed evaluation reports are not considered official.

English Proficiency for International Students

Non-exempt, non-U.S. citizens must provide verification of English proficiency by submitting the results of a standardized test.The university's preference is for students to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, but we would accept the other standardized tests listed below as well.Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Paper Based Test-520 with TWE of 4.0 Internet Based TestReading 21 Writing 23International English Language Testing System (IELTS)-Academic VersionReading 6.0 Writing 6.0Tests Requiring University Approval FirstTo submit one of the following tests in place of the TOEFL or IELTS, contact international@apus.edu for approval.ACT EnglishSAT VerbalAdvanced Placement International English Language (APIEL)

General Certificate of Education

(GCE)International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGSCE)General Certificate of Secondary Education (GSCE)Transcripts and Other Documentation NeededThe following types of individuals are required to provide us additional documentation and should read the relevant sections below for details on the necessary documentation

Note: If you are an undergraduate student with no previous college credit, or if you are a non-degree seeking student, we will not need any transcripts.Undergraduate Students with Previous College CreditIf you are an undergraduate student with previous college credit and you have not earned a bachelor’s degree or above yet, we need:Official transcripts sent from all previous institutions

TCE application for transfer credit reviewIf the course work was completed at an institution not accredited by a U.S. recognized body, you will need to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an international education agency. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550

International applicants are required to pay each course in full using a U.S. credit card or money order. The Automatic Debit Plan (ADP) payment option is available when used with a credit card drawn from a U.S. institution.

Suggestions for international students seeking financial assistance to fund their studies at APUS:

  • Contact their Ministry of Education - explore scholarship, grants or loan possibilities
  • Contact private lenders - companies or banks
  • Seek sponsorship from a personal investor

Accreditation

American Public University is part of the American Public University System (APUS), which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC accredits degree-granting institutions located in a 19-state region, and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

ED formally recognizes accrediting commissions that meet all federal standards, and CHEA extends recognition to accrediting bodies and their institutions that meet these established standards. Accreditation should be important to you because it determines a school’s eligibility for federal and state financial aid, and may influence acceptance of transfer credits and admission to accredited graduate schools.

In addition to our HLC accreditation, our B.S. in Nursing program, as well as many of our business programs, have obtained specialized accreditation from external accrediting organizations in these specific disciplines.

Credits and degrees earned through APUS may be recognized for promotion, assignment, and position qualification standards within the military, federal government, and private sector. For students transferring to other colleges, APUS credit is considered transfer-eligible based on its accreditation. However, APUS cannot guarantee that its credit will be accepted, as acceptance of credit is always the prerogative of the receiving institution.

Institutional Accreditation

This level of accreditation requires a significant amount of self-study and presentation of evidence to satisfy the demanding requirements of accrediting organizations. Obtaining accreditation with HLC demonstrates our focus on providing academic excellence and the best possible experience for our students.

As an accredited institution, our university is eligible to participate in federal educational entitlement programs such as military tuition assistance, government tuition reimbursement programs, the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill, and many corporate education assistance programs. In addition, APUS has been granted approval by the Department of Education to participate in Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs.

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