About Program
Become a master of understanding and analyzing security threats with our Master in Security Studies & Information Analysis program. Dive into the realms of intelligence analysis, threat assessment, risk management and security policy development. Gain the skills to analyze complex information, detect patterns and provide actionable insights to decision-makers. With this program, you will be well-prepared for an exciting career working in an intelligence agency, defense organization, research institution or private security firm. Join us and become a trusted expert—safeguarding individuals, organizations and nations from emerging security challenges.
Program Goals
- To develop graduates who possess a regional focus with an international framework of Security and Intelligence.
- To provide educational opportunities to students at the graduate level through a carefully planned and implemented program of study.
- To provide students with instruction of both theoretical and practical aspects of Security and Intelligence Studies.
- To provide and maintain learning resources and an environment conducive to graduate student learning, scholarly research, and quality teaching.
- To ensure graduating students are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills, as recognized by the current international norms and standards.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Define and demonstrate the theory, history and contribution of the discipline of intelligence and security.
- Appraise collected data/information using a variety of analytic techniques and methodologies to produce original and advanced research in the Security and Intelligence field.
- Contextualize the principles of Security and Intelligence to evaluate intelligence and security threats.
- Apply critical thinking and innovative problem-solving skills for analyzing and reporting Security and Intelligence issues.
- Acquire the necessary skills to manage intelligence structures, functions, processes and practices in the UAE and GCC context.
Program Structure
Course Category
Core Courses
Elective Courses
Thesis 1
Thesis 2
Total (Excluding Bridging Courses)
Total Number of Courses
7
3
1
1
12
Total Number of Credit Hours
21
9
3
3
36 Credit Hours
This course examines the history, principles, concepts, functions and methods used in collecting intelligence information. The main emphasis in this course is placed on the collection, analysis, interpretation and the use of intelligence.
This course also recognizes and explores the evolving intersection between intelligence and national as well as global security.
This course will examine the recent developments and changes in intelligence systems and assesses the different ways in which persistent and emerging issues in the field are discussed and implemented in achieving policy objectives of the Nation-States.
This course also recognizes and explores the evolving intersection between intelligence and national security.
This course examines the intelligence gathering process of both foreign and domestic states, with an emphasis upon analytic procedures for protection and prevention against terrorism, terrorist groups, transnational crime, organized crime, and other threats to personal and public safety. In this regard, the course will review the strengths and weaknesses of traditional and non-traditional methods of intelligence gathering.
This course is a foundational course for the program. It establishes parameters of the discipline of security and intelligence. The course will present the main issues related to national and international security with conventional and unconventional threats to security and intelligence. It will explore the central and critical significance of intelligence and counterintelligence among others. The course will distinguish emerging trends of security threats such as environmental security, cyber warfare, food security, energy security and human and drug trafficking and economic security issues.
This course examines origins of conflict, wars and contemporary threats to national and international security and intelligence. Classical forms of threats to security are explained, described an analyzed. Topics among others, include causes of war and conflict, the value of security, between nations and contemporary threats to national and international security from the Cold War onwards. The course uses historical lessons learned, to explore and analyze issues of contemporary national, international security. Root causes, elements and cases of symmetrical and asymmetrical threats of security will be explored, explained and analyzed.
This course provides students with research method skills in addressing security and intelligence issues. Students focus is on methodological and structural procedures for conducting qualitative and quantitative research on security and intelligence studies. Students will become well versed in research planning, data collection, e data analysis methods and how these methods relate to the larger field of social science research. The course incorporates advanced analytical techniques used by intelligence analysts. It prepares students for intermediate and advanced security and intelligence studies by engaging in critical thinking and analytical writing.
The course examines and analyses homeland security in the framework of security and intelligence. It defines, assesses and evaluates past, current and prospective methods for securitizing the homeland for the future. Cooperation between security services in protection of homeland security. It explores policy necessity, orientation, administration, coordination, strategic management organization skills but also intelligence data collection, analysis and processing in the framework of the program of security and intelligence.
The course examines and analyzes the similarities and differences between intelligence and strategic intelligence. In this regard concepts and theories will be explained and analyzed such as the content of intelligence and the threats revealed by intelligence information. The most important aspects will be the assessment, evaluation, interpretation and extrapolation of the information gathered from different sources. In particular, the course focuses on strategic Intelligence will be related to the concept of tactical intelligence.
This course brings the Information Revolution and Cyber-Warfare experiences into focus as they relate to issues of Security, Strategy, and Intelligence. It examines, analyzes and assesses the creation of cyber-space, 21st Century Information Revolution and the threat of Cyber-Warfare in the framework of security and intelligence.
The course examines, analyzes, conceptualizes, develops and reflects on the fundamental principles and policies of critical infrastructure protection (CIP) as it relates to the fields of Security and Intelligence. The course focuses on specialized cases; assessment and evaluation of GCC critical security infrastructures; and examines measures and policies in the field of security and intelligence through utilization of an interdisciplinary approach to subjects of regional, national and international concern to the importance of CIP to the citizen and for national resilience.
A course designed for the students in the area of security and intelligence examine irregular warfare and to grasp the challenges of employment of an operational response to counter insurgency and terrorism.
This course examines the dynamics of terrorism and counter-terrorism in the specialization of security and intelligence. The course looks at the historical and strategic development of terrorism to current and future methods of countering extremism and terrorist groups.
This course examines the importance of Environmental security in the GCC and the relation it holds to the field of intelligence. Demographic changes, climate change and scarcity of resources among others, are examined as elements of security and safety importance. This course is multidisciplinary. It examines and analyzes environmental factors to security and intelligence.
This course provides students with the principles of current issues of security and intelligence that occur within Nation-States. It examines various facets of security and intelligence. This course also equips the students with critical assessment skills as applied to contemporary issues in security, and how they are formulated and executed as policy. It also provides a panoramic view of Nation-States interactions. The course assess the important variables that play a part in contemporary global security and intelligence.
This course explores, analyzes, and examines elements of leadership in security strategy and intelligence. The course evaluates and reflects on strategic leadership and strategic management. It concentrates on options and choices but also opportunities. How are decisions taken considering that some security and intelligence decisions about international affairs, need to be meet the national interests and continue to balance alliances.
This course examines is focused on offensive and defensive counterintelligence techniques, advanced counterintelligence agent handling, surveillance, security and investigation suitable for countering state-level actors. The course draws particular focus to regional and international law, ethical standards, security and policy. During this course, students will develop a comprehensive knowledge of CI. Students will study and analyze counterintelligence, focusing on CI operations and foreign intelligence services, including the development of CI, perspectives on counterintelligence throughout history, and assessments of successes and failures of CI. Students will learn and discuss multi-discipline CI support to intelligence operations, to denial and deception operations, and to covert operations.
Students in this course will work with their thesis supervisor to develop a thesis proposal and begin their distinctive, applied research project. It is meant to stimulate students in acquiring and in-depth knowledge and insight in a specific subject of interest to the students which should contribute to the discipline areas of security and strategic studies. The primary goal is for the student to practice the mechanisms of transitioning from concept to active inquiry. Depending on the nature of the subject, the student will develop a study questions, conduct a literature review, develop a methodological approach, and begin preliminary research. Students are expected to apply qualitative, quantitative, and comparative research approaches to the chosen subject.
In this course, students will continue developing their thesis project, revising techniques (if required), addressing challenges, analysing findings, and eventually articulating the complete experience. Students will build on work from the previous semester and put all of the pieces together to complete the final thesis project, following the required research process and procedures. Students will be required to provide a verbal defense as part of the assessment and fulfilment of the course.
Recommended Study Plan
Accreditations
The American University in the Emirates is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education – Commission for Academic Accreditation | caa.ae
Prof. Chahine A. Ghais
Professor / Dean
Prof. Dusko Tomic
Professor / Program Director - Security And Strategic Studies
Dr. Eldar Šaljić
Associate Professor / Program Director - Security Studies And Information Analysis
Dr. Mohamed El Yattioui
Assistant Professor / Program Director - Diplomacy
Graduation Requirements
For graduate degree completion, graduate students must satisfy the following requirements:
- Earn a minimum CGPA of 2.00 on a scale of 4.00.
- Successfully complete all courses as described in the study plan.
- The Degree Completion requirements must be met within the timeframe of the program.
- Successfully complete the “Thesis” course.
Joining the Program
- Fall Semester
- September
- Spring Semester
- January
- Summer Semester
- May