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I would like to extend a warm welcome from the Intelligence and National Security Studies (INSS) graduate and certificate programs, in the Department of Criminal Justice. We are proud that students from around the globe have chosen our program. Many have gone on to build careers intelligence, the military, and law enforcement. Others have found employment in the private sector, including defense contracting and finance and some have pursued further graduate study at the doctoral level and law school. However, our program looks for students who want more than that.

We want students with a curiosity about the world, a drive to understand and to make a difference. Who care about ethics and making a positive impact. We look for young scholars who bring their own views and expertise and who are willing to ask questions and make connections. In return, we offer a rigorous program that combines a strong grounding in the theory and practice of intelligence and national security with the opportunity for you explore your own interests.

We offer a Master of Science in Intelligence and National Security Studies and Graduate Certificates in Intelligence and National Security Studies and Open-Source Intelligence Analysis. Our innovative degrees and certificates cover the allied fields of intelligence studies, national security, and homeland security. Our teaching philosophy is “Learning by Doing.” We provide a balance of academic and practical instruction from both traditional faculty and experienced practitioners—all subject matter experts.

Our program serves the educational needs of students both in traditional classroom settings and online to provide regional, national, and international educational outreach. While committed to the success of all of our students, we are particularly dedicated to our current and veteran service members, as well as current professionals in the field. As a result, we offer a variety of course options, including summer and online courses and those scheduled during the evenings, as well as during the day.

In short, we are committed wholly to serving all Â鶹¹ÙÍø students, the U.S. Intelligence Community, our military, federal, state, and local law enforcement, and the Nation! Please reach out to us if you have any questions about our programs. We look forward to hearing from you.

Dr. Charles Boehmer
INSS Graduate Director 
E: crboehmer@utep.edu

The Master of Science in Intelligence and National Security Studies provides a highly-rigorous interdisciplinary graduate program intended for students seeking employment or career advancement in the United States Intelligence Community. The INSS graduate program is also suitable for students interested in security-related jobs in the private sector or with applied research institutions (think tanks). The INSS graduate program is also ideal preparation for advanced graduate study at the doctoral level in international relations, political science, public administration, public policy, history, or other closely related fields. The INSS graduate curriculum focuses on specific intelligence and security competencies that are delivered across the spectrum of academic disciplines at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Admission Requirements:

1. Completion and submission of a graduate admissions application.  Click here to be directed to the Graduate School website.
2. Submission of official transcripts in accordance with the requirements of the Graduate School.
3. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
4. Demonstration of academic achievement and potential as indicated by the results of the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This requirement is waived if the student already possesses an accredited graduate degree.
5. A brief statement of purpose (1-2 pages) that addresses educational and career goals and reasons for pursuing the MS degree.
6. Three academic letters of recommendation from university faculty who can evaluate your ability to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. Letters of recommendation from employers or work supervisors are acceptable for applicants who have been out of school for five years or more.

Admission Requirements for Graduate Certificates:

1. Completion and submission of a graduate admissions application.  Click here to be directed to the Graduate School website.
2. Submission of official transcripts in accordance with the requirements of the Graduate School.
3. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.  In most circumstances, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 is required for admission to the graduate certificate program.

The Certificate in Intelligence and National Security Studies provides a highly-rigorous interdisciplinary graduate program intended for students seeking employment or career advancement in the United States Intelligence Community (IC). The INSS graduate program is also suitable for students interested in security-related jobs in the private sector or with applied research institutions (think tanks). The INSS graduate program is also ideal preparation for advanced graduate study at the doctoral level in international relations, political science, public administration, public policy, history, or other closely related fields. The INSS graduate curriculum focuses on specific intelligence and security competencies that are delivered across the spectrum of academic disciplines at the University of Texas at El Paso.

 The Graduate Certificate in Open Source Intelligence is designed to enhance open source skills and knowledge primarily for national security applications.  This certificate is the first of its kind in the nation at a public research university.  Particular attention is placed on collection strategies and structured analytical techniques to evaluate diverse types of publicly available information from historical and geographical data to imagery and social media sources.  This certificate is suitable for students pursuing careers in the U.S. Intelligence Community, Homeland Security Enterprise, federal, state, and local law enforcement, the armed forces, and within the defense industry.