BestOnlineCollege.org is an advertising-supported website. Many of the school and program listings that appear on this site are from partners who compensate us, and this compensation may affect how, where, and in what order listings appear (such as featured placements). This compensation does not influence our editorial content, evaluations, or rankings, which are determined independently using publicly available data. We do not review or feature every school or program available in the marketplace. Our goal is to provide accurate, unbiased information so you can make informed decisions. Read our full Advertiser Disclosure.
Online Master's in Intelligence Studies: 2026 Programs
An online master’s in intelligence studies is an advancement or specialization degree. Common titles include BA/BS in Intelligence Studies, BA in National Security Studies, MS in Intelligence Studies, MS in National Security. In IPEDS 2024, 89 institutions reported bachelor’s-or-higher completions in the CIP codes used for this guide, and 84 of those institutions reported offering distance-education programs (IPEDS 2024). Of those, 49 reported master’s completions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish an occupation called intelligence analyst. Most of that work is classified under detectives and criminal investigators (SOC 33-3021), management analysts, or information security analysts depending on the employer. Wage figures on this page are those proxy occupations, named as such.
Quick answers
Can I get this degree online?
Yes. In IPEDS 2024, 89 institutions reported bachelor’s-or-higher completions in the CIP codes used for this guide, and 84 of those institutions reported offering distance-education programs (IPEDS 2024).
What will I study?
Typical coursework includes intelligence collection, analytic writing, geospatial and open-source methods, counterintelligence, ethics and law, and a research or simulation capstone.
What do graduates earn?
Detectives and Criminal Investigators: The national median annual wage was $93,790, with the 10th percentile at $55,390 and the 90th at $160,540 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 117,900 in 2024, projected to grow -0.7 percent through 2034, with 7,800 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Individual outcomes vary.
Do I need an undergraduate degree in this field?
Usually not. Most programs admit from related bachelor’s degrees. Check prerequisites (statistics, calculus, a portfolio, a teaching license) before you apply.
How is accreditation handled?
There is no programmatic accreditor for intelligence studies. Federal analyst jobs are gated by a background investigation and, for most seats, a security clearance. The degree does not grant a clearance. Institutional accreditation is the first academic check.
At a Glance
- Common degree titles: BA/BS in Intelligence Studies, BA in National Security Studies, MS in Intelligence Studies, MS in National Security
- IPEDS 2024 institutions (bachelor’s or higher): 89 (84 with a distance-education flag)
- Related fields: homeland security, cybersecurity, international relations
Data verified: September 7, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
Back to Best Online Intelligence Studies Degree Programs (2026)