Security and Strategic Intelligence, B.S.
Study trends in intelligence gathering surrounding such critical and timely topics as terrorism, homeland security and cybercrime with a Bachelor of Science in Security and Strategic Intelligence offered through Saint Louis University's School for Professional Studies.
Program Highlights
- Our robust curriculum includes the option to specialize in business continuity or global corporate security.
- Learn industry best practices and the critical thinking skills needed for securing data and facilities against external threats.
- Graduate with the security, intelligence and computer information systems skills needed to compete for highly coveted positions in a burgeoning strategic intelligence market.
As part of the School for Professional Studies, this 120-credit degree program offers future and current leaders like you a flexible option to meet your personal career goals. With six accelerated, eight-week terms offered each year through SLU online, you can begin working toward your degree at any time, making advanced education more accessible for working professionals.
Faculty
As a student in the School for Professional Studies at Saint Louis University, you’ll learn from exceptional faculty who are leading experts in their fields. They bring real-world knowledge to the classroom and are dedicated to your professional success. Learn more about the SPS faculty.
Careers
Business Continuity Concentration
Careers for graduates with a degree in security and strategic intelligence with a business continuity certificate include business continuity planners, business intelligence analysts, business operations specialists and emergency/risk managers.
Global Corporate Security Concentration
Careers for graduates with a degree in security and strategic intelligence with a global corporate security certificate include security and asset managers, security management specialists, transportation security screeners, retail loss prevention specialists, loss prevention managers, and criminal investigators and special agents.
Tuition
| Tuition | Cost Per Credit |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition | |
| Standard Tuition | $650 |
| Active Duty/Veteran (TA eligible or GI Bill); First Responders | $295 |
| BJC Partnership | $333 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. The School for Professional Studies offers numerous scholarships and awards specifically for new students.
- Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
To determine eligibility for financial assistance, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early for maximum consideration. FAFSA is available online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at Office of Student Financial Services.
Active Military and Veterans and First Responders
Honorably discharged veterans, active-duty military members, reserve members and first responders qualify for a reduced tuition rate of $295 per credit hour for any undergraduate program offered through the School for Professional Studies.
- Graduates will be able to describe the cycle of intelligence and components of global security.
- Graduates will be able to use analytics to inform risk management decisions.
- Graduates will be able to integrate computer information systems with security and intelligence domains.
- Graduates will be able to analyze the global factors that impact security and strategic intelligence.
- Graduates will be able to distinguish between the professional, ethical, legal, security and social dimensions of a strategic intelligence plan.
Admission Requirements
- Completed application
- High school diploma or composite GED score of at least 2250
- Minimum transfer cumulative GPA of 2.5 (unless qualified for conditional admittance)
- Official transcript from the most recent institution attended
- Delayed enrollment in post-secondary education
- Attends part time for at least part of the academic year
- Works full time (35 hours or more/week) while enrolled
- Is financially independent
- Has dependents other than a spouse
- Is a single parent
- Has other demands that make traditional education less feasible
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| SSI 1500 | Foundations of Security and Strategic Intelligence | 3 |
| SSI 2000 | Threat and Risk Assessment | 3 |
| SSI 3000 | Coordination across Agencies, Organizations, and Departments | 3 |
| SSI 3100 | Analytics in Security and Intelligence | 3 |
| SSI 3800 | Trends in Strategic Security and Intelligence | 3 |
| SSI 4900 | Security and Strategic Intelligence Capstone | 3 |
| CIS 1375 | Information Systems and Technology | 3 |
| CIS 3150 | Workplace Ethics | 3 |
| CIS 3250 | Cybersecurity Principles | 3 |
| CIS 3300 | Database Analysis and Design | 3 |
| Major electives | 6 | |
Select 6 credits in CIS or SSI | ||
| Concentrations (select one of the following) | 12 | |
| General electives | 37-40 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a 2.00 GPA and receive a C or better in all major classes.
Business Continuity Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SSI 3010 | Business Continuity and Impact Analysis | 3 |
| SSI 3300 | Integrated Risk Planning, Strategy and Compliance | 3 |
| SSI 4090 | Resilience, Recovery and Contingency | 3 |
| SSI 4500 | Financial & Regulatory Considerations in Risk Planning | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Global Corporate Security Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SSI 3010 | Business Continuity and Impact Analysis | 3 |
| SSI 3030 | Global Security Management | 3 |
| SSI 3200 | Terrorism: Causes, Tactics, and Mitigation | 3 |
| SSI 3600 | Tangible Asset Security | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Fall 1 | ||
| SSI 1500 | Foundations of Security and Strategic Intelligence | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| SSI 3200 | Terrorism: Causes, Tactics, and Mitigation | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| SSI 4010 | Diplomacy and Foreign Policy | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| SSI 4200 | Collection Assets and Capabilities | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| SSI 2000 | Threat and Risk Assessment | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| SSI 3000 | Coordination across Agencies, Organizations, and Departments | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| SSI Courses/Electives | 3 | |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| SSI Courses/Electives | 3 | |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| CIS 3150 | Workplace Ethics | 3 |
| Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| SSI 3800 | Trends in Strategic Security and Intelligence | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| SSI 3100 | Analytics in Security and Intelligence | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| SSI Courses/Electives | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| SSI Courses/Electives | 3 | |
| CIS or SSI Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| CIS or SSI Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| SSI 4800 | Security and Strategic Intelligence Capstone | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution.