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School of Security & Global Studies

Intelligence Analysis

Online Undergraduate Certificate in Intelligence Analysis

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About This Program

Enhance the critical thinking and analytical skills required for gauging and forecasting potential threats to U.S. national security with the intelligence analysis undergraduate certificate offered by American Public University (APU).

Develop a solid foundation in intelligence analysis and gain knowledge in advanced qualitative analytic procedures, basic modeling, and predictive analysis skills through this six-course certificate.

Additionally, this online intelligence analysis certificate helps you learn about the basic cognitive science of intelligence analysis. Coursework also covers the historical evolution of U.S. national intelligence. Explore optional coursework in topics such as intelligence and narcotics, forecasting terrorism, and geographic information systems.

NOTE: Completion of this program does not award any professional certifications, but may be helpful in preparing to earn such certifications.

What You Will Do

  1. Conduct basic research and analyze issues critical to intelligence consumers
  2. Identify the basic cognitive science principles that underlie human information processing and problem solving
  3. Complete intermediate-level analyses in selected areas critical to intelligence consumers

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$350 | $250*
$315**
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant or APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 3207

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This course provides an introduction to critical thinking, intelligence analysis, and the use of structured methodologies. Functions associated with the processing of information to include perception, memory, and the evaluation of information are examined. Conscious and unconscious cognitive biases along with strategies to mitigate their impact are also assessed. (Prerequisite: SSGS300)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3208

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This course builds upon the foundations of critical analysis taught in INTL 401, expanding the student's repertoire of analytical techniques. Students explore creative analysis techniques, including hypothesis generation, red-teaming, and adversarial collaboration. Students focus on intelligence as a service to decision makers, including principles of customer-focused writing and techniques for analytic problems designed to provide tactical, operational, or strategic support. (Prerequisite: SSGS300)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3187

|
This course examines nation-states and the theories, characteristics, and impacts of threats to decision-making. Various historical and modern threats will be discussed throughout the course. An understanding of threats to the state and its vulnerabilities is developed through a discussion of the types of nation-states and non-state actors as well as terrorist, economic, military and emerging threats among others. This course will focus on these specific threats as well as the conditions that create them. This course provides the opportunity to examine these specific threats through analysis and research. This course is a prerequisite to any of the Intelligence Studies country analysis courses.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4890

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This course provides basic research methods skills for addressing problems and issues specific to the programs within the School of Security and Global Studies. The course covers four basic approaches to social research including experimentation, survey research, field research, and the use of available data. Students will gain foundational knowledge in research planning, design, methodology, data collection, and analysis. This course prepares students to carry out research at the undergraduate level.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Choose 6 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 4486

|
This course is an exploration of the historical development, capabilities, and application of Geospatial Intelligence to inform decision makers in policy making, national defense, and law enforcement. The focus will be on understanding the underpinnings of this exciting and relatively new intelligence discipline. We will explore what GEOINT is, and how is it used.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3180

|
The rapid increase in multinational analysis and transnational organized crime, corporate drug trafficking organizations, and the impact of crime on national and international policy has created a critical need for law enforcement intelligence experts in the relatively new field of criminal intelligence. The course provides the student with an introduction to the methods and techniques of criminal intelligence analysis and strategic organized crime. It will demonstrate how to predict trends, weaknesses, capabilities, intentions, changes, and warnings needed to dismantle criminal organizations.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3210

|
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) contain a powerful set of tools for data acquisition, management, query and display. This course will provide students with a substantial foundation of skills to merge both theoretical and applied information with hands-on practical training utilizing the basic tools provided with the ArcGIS Online software. Students will become familiar with GIS and with GIS software as they create ArcGIS Map projects addressing security and intelligence issues.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 3211

|
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) contain a powerful set of tools for data acquisition, management, query and display. This course will provide students first with a substantial foundation in theory and practical use of GIS. The weekly labs provide practical training utilizing the basic tools provided with the Esri ArcMap software as applied to a national security issues. (Prerequisite: INTL432)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
03/31/25 - 08/29/25 09/01/25 - 10/26/25 Summer 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4487

|
This course surveys the role of narcotics and the illicit drug trade as risks to national security, international development, and progress. The purpose is to assess both domestic and foreign intelligence gathering and analysis, with an emphasis on counter-narcotics policies and strategies. Students will be able to critically analyze, strategically assess effective intelligence collection, and evaluate the impact of current drug interdiction efforts by federal domestic and international agencies.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session
01/27/25 - 07/04/25 07/07/25 - 08/31/25 Summer 2025 Session B 8 Week session
02/24/25 - 08/01/25 08/04/25 - 09/28/25 Summer 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 3201

|
This course examines the theoretical underpinnings of the phenomenon of terrorism, actual and planned cases of chemical and biological weapons use, and the modern threat of improvised weapons of mass destruction. The course surveys traditional and newer methods of forecasting terrorism: intuition-based, profiling, conflict vulnerability analysis, and prognosis (early warning), etc. The course concludes by looking at the significant post-9/11 efforts at hardening facilities, increasing security, and monitoring terrorist-WMD activity. However, the threat is still substantial as religious-based extremists are still wholly intent on acquiring WMDs.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jun 2
Register by May 30
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Admission Requirements

  • All APU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED). Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

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1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

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