Undergraduate Major & Minor in Intelligence & National Security Studies 

Students interested in Intelligence & National Security Studies (INSS) may select an Undergraduate Major or 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 18 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.

INSS Major Requirements (available Fall 2026)

To earn the INSS major, students can choose between the BA or the BGS in Intelligence & National Security Studies. Students must complete the four core courses for the INSS track (12 hours), plus 6 additional courses related to INSS (18 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 six INSS elective courses

Approved Elective List for INSS Major:

  • 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 
  • POLS 310 Counterproliferation
  • POLS 656 Government & Politics in East Asia
  • POLS 688 US Counterterrorism Approaches to International and Domestic Terror Groups 
  • POLS 582 Transnational Terrorism

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 INSS elective courses 

     

  • POLS:
    • POLS 354: Pol of Russ&Post-Soviet States
    • POLS 356 Government & Politics in East Asia
    • POLS 361 Politics of the Middle East
    • POLS 371 U.S. Foreign Policy
    • POLS 375 Russian Foreign Policy
    • POLS 378/678 Chinese Foreign Policy
    • POLS 419 Counterproliferation
    • POLS 425 Extremist Groups and Government Response
    • POLS 452 Politics in Europe
    • POLS 468 Reform in Contemporary China
    • POLS 471 Politics of Human Trafficking
    • POLS 472 International Political Economy
    • POLS 477 U.S. National Security Policy
    • POLS 480 Politics & Government in Israel
    • POLS 482 Transnational Terrorism
    • POLS 648 Western European Politics
    • POLS 682 Trafficking, Organized Crime and Terrorism: U.S. Government Response
    • POLS 687 Introduction to Cyberintelligence 
    • POLS 688 US Counterterrorism Approaches to International and Domestic Terror Groups
  • CRIM:
    • CRIM 365 Crime and Intelligence Analysis
    • CRIM 366 Spatial Analysis of Crime
    • CRIM 375 Terrorism and Homeland Security
    • CRIM 376 Drug Cartels and Trade
    • CRIM 475 Human Trafficking Investigations
    • CRIM 476 Piracy on the High Seas
  • ECON
    • ECON 226 - Statistics and Data Analysis
    • ECON 399 - Data 2:Foundations Data Science
    • ECON 410 -Energy Economics
    • ECON 464 -Topics in Applied Economics
  • EECS
    • EECS 465 - Cyber Defense
    • EECS 565 - Intro Information and Computer Security
    • EECS 569-  Computer Forensics
    • EECS 592-  Cybersecurity Design
  • GIST, AAAS, GEOG, SLAV:
    • AAAS 415 Women in Islam
    • GIST 550/SLAV 379 Iran Soft Power
    • GEOG 571/AAAS 520 The Gray Zones in Africa
    • GIST 329: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: An Intro
  • HIST
    • HIST 328- The Modern Middle East
    • HIST 381- Israeli-Palestine Conflict: An Intro
  • JMC
    • JMC 302- Information Exploration
    • JMC 309- Data Storytelling
    • JMC 460- Research Digital Marketing Communication, Advertising & Public Relations
  • NAVY, ARMY:
    • NAVY 220 Sea Power & Maritime Affairs
    • NAVY 402 Seminar: Military Leadership & Management
    • ARMY 402: The Military Profession
  • COMS
    • COMS 356: Introduction to Behavioral Research Methods in Communication
    • COMS 557: East Asian Communication
    • COMS 547: Communication and Culture
  • BUSINESS
    • BSAN 310/311: Introduction to Business Analytics
    • BSAN 415: Data Analysis and Forecasting
    • IBUS 500: School of Business Study Abroad
    • IST 435: Introduction to Information Security
  • APPLIED CYBER SECURITY
    • ITEC 302: Python, Algorithms, and Data Structures
    • ITEC 340: Computer and Information Security
    • ITEC 426: Cyber Defense and Countermeasures
  • PSYCHOLOGY
    • PSYC 210: Statistics in Psychological Research
    • PSYC 399: Foundations of Data Science
    • PSYC 599: Data Management
  • REES
    • REES 111-Russian & East European St - Understanding Russia & East Europe
    • REES 310/311- Russian & East European St - Understanding Russia & East Europe

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 major/minor

Preferred Qualifications

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

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

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