Program Information | Degree Requirements | Career Outlook

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN

GLOBAL SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE STUDIES (GSIS)

Embry-Riddle's Timely Program Will Develop Tomorrow's Global Security and Intelligence Specialists

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The Bachelor of Science degree in Global Security and Intelligence Studies (GSIS) is designed to develop future security and intelligence professionals with a broad understanding of global interrelationships in politics, economics, social change, science and technology, military developments, systems of thought, Environmental issues are one of the subjects that Global Security and Intelligence Studies majors focus on. public health, the psychological dimensions of military and terrorist threats, cyber-security, environmental issues, and human cultures. Further, students will understand the implications of these interrelationships for the security of nation-states and the future of human society in a global context.

The program provides the student with the interdisciplinary skills to analyze the interactions between all these elements and to communicate their ideas effectively in both written and oral contexts. Above all, GSIS students will be able to exhibit innovative problem solving and critical thinking for issues such as

terrorism and asymmetrical warfare
transportation (especially aviation and aerospace) security
threats to corporate personnel and facilities
threats to computer and telecommunications infrastructure
trafficking networks in illicit services and substances
proscribed weapons technologies such as weapons of mass destruction
international crime
population migrations
natural disasters
pandemics and
homeland security

A degree for today's world

Global Security and Intelligence Studies students will be very qualified to begin activities in many realms, including:

Federal government security and intelligence agencies and other federal agencies with security and intelligence responsibilities and needs
The military services
Security and intelligence departments in business and industry (especially aviation, aerospace, and other transportation entities)
State and local law enforcement agencies
As students in graduate schools specializing in international security studies and regional affairs
As students in law schools
In politics as leaders or as staffs specializing in security issues, and
As entrepreneurs

Philip Jones

Associate Professor/Program Chair

Bldg. 74, Office #
Phone: 928-777-6992,
E-mail: Philip.E.Jones@erau.edu

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PROGRAM INFORMATION

Courses Focus on Key Areas for Security/Intelligence Students

The GSIS program consists of eight (8) interrelated components: general education, sciences, Global Studies core, advanced security and intelligence courses, electives, foreign languages, senior thesis, and an optional co-op experience. The general education requirement provides the fundamentals in sciences, math, the social sciences (especially history, political science, and economics), computers and communication. The science requirement deepens the students knowledge of science and technology -- key areas for the security/intelligence student. Global Studies is designed to demonstrate the ways in which societies and cultures, economies, systems of thought, military developments, and environmental concerns are shaping the contemporary international system.

Since knowledge of a second language -- or indeed multiple languages -- is an essential skill for the security and intelligence professional today, GSIS students must met a language requirement by demonstrating oral and reading competency in a language other than English, or by taking twelve credits of college-level foreign language courses.

GSIS students also are required to complete a senior thesis prior to graduation. The thesis will encompass significant research into a topic relevant to security and intelligence studies and provide original recommendations and conclusions.

The GSIS program encourages students to gain international experience through travel or study abroad. It promotes a strong grounding in history, the acquisition of good writing and communication skills and -- in the selection of open electives -- a knowledge and appreciation of the arts and humanities.

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BACHELOR'S DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

REQUIREMENTS

Download complete requirements for this program in pdf format.

The GSIS program consists of seven interrelated components: general education, a GSIS core, area of concentration, electives, foreign languages, senior thesis, and an optional co-op or study-abroad experience. The general education requirement provides the fundamentals in the sciences, mathematics, the social sciences and liberal arts, oral and written communication, and computers. The science requirement deepens the student’s knowledge and understanding of science and technology, key areas for the security/intelligence student. Together, the GSIS core is a multidisciplinary array of courses that brings a number of fields to the study of security and intelligence, including geography, the law, economics, psychology, government and foreign policy, and the history of intelligence. The GSIS core and the designated electives are designed to demonstrate the ways in which societies and cultures, economies, systems of thought, military developments, and environmental concerns are shaping the international system.

In the senior year, the GSIS major will select one of two areas of concentration: Intelligence or Security. Each area of concentration contains five courses, allowing the student to gain a deeper understanding in a more specialized field. A third option for the area of concentration is to chose a total of five courses from both Intelligence and Security, two from one and three from the other. This would be counted as an area of concentration in Intelligence and Security.

Because knowledge of a second language— or indeed multiple languages—is an essential skill for the intelligence and security professional today, GSIS students must meet a foreign language requirement by demonstrating oral and reading competency in a language other than English, or by taking 12 credits of college-level foreign language courses in one language. GSIS students are required to complete a senior course prior to graduation. The options include a senior thesis, an expanded co-op, or a semesterlong war or simulation game. The expanded co-op requires a major paper and could be a stepping stone to a permanent job. The war or simulation game will enable the student to bring all he or she has learned in the program to dealing with a crisis situation. The thesis will encompass significant research into a topic relevant to security and intelligence studies and provide original recommendations and conclusions. The GSIS program encourages students to gain international experience through travel or study abroad. It promotes a strong grounding in history, a capacity for critical thinking, good writing and communication skills, and, in the selection of designated and open electives, a knowledge and appreciation of the arts and humanities. The Bachelor of Science degree in Global Security and Intelligence Studies (GSIS) requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours.

CAREER OUTLOOK

The Embry-Riddle Advantage: The Career Services Office

One of the most valuable benefits of being a student or alumnus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is access to the resources of the Career Services Office.

The Career Services Office provides career development assistance to all students and alumni of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, regardless of campus affiliation. The Daytona Beach office serves Daytona Beach, Worldwide Campus, and Worldwide Online students. Prescott campus students are served by the Prescott office.

The Career Services Web site offers students and alumni:

A virtual library of job search aids including interview tips
An alumni network which enables students to contact alumni throughout the United States and abroad to learn more about their careers and employers.
Sample résumés and cover letters
Company profiles and employment hotlines
Cooperative education opportunities
Current job listings; and
A Web-based résumé referral service

A career fair is hosted at the Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses each fall. Throughout each year, dozens of companies visit the campuses to recruit students and to provide information about their industry. On-campus interviews are also scheduled year-round.

The Career Services Office employs a staff of program managers to provide one-on-one career advisement, mock interviews, and résumé critique services. The Career Services Office encourages students to make contact early in their Embry-Riddle educations to explore career options and develop a successful job search strategy.

More From the Career Services Office

Career Advisement
Several degree-specific program managers are available for assistance with career choice/change, exploration of career opportunities, and development of job search techniques.

Career Resource Center
The Career Resource Center is a library of information that includes addresses and information on potential employers, as well as information on hiring trends, salaries, and other career references. The Career Resource Center is continuously updated and expanded to meet student needs. The Career Services Web site also serves as a virtual resource center with links to job listings, salary information, sample résumés, interview preparation, and company Web sites.

EagleHire Network
The EagleHire Network allows students and alumni to submit résumés directly to employers seeking full-time and co-op/internship candidates. EagleHire is a free service and is available to all students and alumni of the University.

Cooperative Education/Internship Program
Cooperative education positions provide an opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience while earning college credit, learn about their chosen field, and establish contacts in the industry. Co-ops and internships are opportunities to earn college credit while gaining career-related work experience for undergraduate and graduate students.