Undergraduate Certificate and Minor in Intelligence & National Security Studies 

Students interested in Intelligence & National Security Studies (INSS) have two options at KU: the Undergraduate Certificate and the Undergraduate Minor. INSS courses introduce students to the highly desired skills and competencies necessary to work within the U.S. Intelligence Community agencies. INSS courses demonstrate to future employers that you are knowledgeable about the dynamic, multidisciplinary field of intelligence, its role in security and diplomacy, and the ethics and laws governing intelligence collection and dissemination.

Why Study Intelligence & National Security?

The 16 federal agencies that comprise the U.S. Intelligence Community employ people from diverse cultural backgrounds and with a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees. ICCAE students who graduate aware of and prepared for intelligence careers enter the workforce with an edge over other applicants. From the military to government agencies and the nonprofit and corporate sectors, INSS students increase their career potential in this dynamic field.

2019 Senate Select Committee on Intelligence: Global Threats and National Security

Watch IC agency leaders make the case for working in the IC after graduation:

INSS Certificate Requirements

To earn the INSS certificate, students must (1) complete 12 hours in required INSS courses, and (2) participate in 20 hours of approved extracurricular campus activities.*

  • (1) Four required courses:
    • POLS 125 Introduction to Intelligence & Statecraft
    • POLS 130 US Intelligence Community
    • POLS 325 Intelligence Analytics
    • POLS 345 Counterintelligence
  • (2) Intelligence community-related experiences
    • Participation in 20 hours of campus activities with an INSS focus, such as lectures, workshops, and other events

* Please note that students earning a certificate not in conjunction with a degree program are not eligible for federal financial aid. For more information, contact iccae@ku.edu.

INSS Minor Requirements

To earn the INSS minor, students complete six courses (18 credit hours), four of which are the required core for the INSS track (12 hours), plus two additional courses related to INSS (6 hours).

  • (1) Four required courses:
    • POLS 125 Introduction to Intelligence & Statecraft
    • POLS 130 US Intelligence Community
    • POLS 325 Intelligence Analytics
    • POLS 345 Counterintelligence
  • (2) Plus two elective courses from the approved list below:
    • POLS 625 Extremist Groups and Government Response
    • POLS 652 Politics in Europe
    • POLS 661 Politics of the Middle East
    • POLS 675 Russian Foreign Policy
    • POLS 677 U.S. National Security Policy
    • POLS 678 Chinese Foreign Policy
    • POLS 682 Trafficking, Organized Crime and Terrorism: U.S. Government Response
    • POLS 687 Introduction to Cyberintelligence (Prevously listed POLS 629)
    • POLS 310 Counterproliferation
    • GEOG 571/AAAS 520 The Gray Zones in Africa
    • POLS 656 Government & Politics in East Asia
    • POLS 688 US Conterterrorism Approaches to International and Domestic Terror Groups (currently listed POLS 629)
    • GIST 550/SLAV 379, Iran Soft Power
    • POLS 582 Transnational Terrorism

ICCAE Scholars

The ICCAE scholars program is meant for students who are dedicated to working in an intelligence career upon graduation.  ICCAE scholars have first priority for professional networking opportunities, internship opportunities and study abroad scholarships.  All scholars will have the opportunity to meet with IC professionals and faculty members at KU. 

Required Qualifications

  • Interest in pursuing a career in the U.S. Intelligence Community
  • 3.0 GPA
  • U.S. Citizenship and eligible for a security clearance
  • Declared INSS certificate or minor

Preferred Qualifications

  • Junior or Senior
  • Completed at least one INSS course
  • Regularly attends ICCAE extracurricular events

For information on how to apply, please contact the IC CAE Education Program Coordinator.

Enhancing Opportunities through the ICCAE

Kansas-ICCAE students are eligible for additional opportunities that strengthen their skills and experiences:

  • Study Abroad funding
  • Internships within the Intelligence Community
  • Scholarships
  • Workshops, colloquia, and lecture opportunities
  • Advising, interview coaching, and assistance with job placement after graduation