Intelligence Analysis Online Certificate
Gather, analyze and protect intelligence from multiple sources.
Ready to Get Started?
Request InfoIntelligence Analysis Certificate Overview
The Intelligence Analysis Certificate program from the University of West Florida enhances awareness of cybersecurity to our students and the community. This certificate is a complementary initiative to certificates proposed by the Department of Business Administration and the Department of Computer Science.
This fully online 12-hour undergraduate Intelligence Analysis Certificate program immerses you in scenarios that mirror real-life situations faced by intelligence analysts. As you progress through each course, you will develop the skills that you need to be successful in intelligence analysis in national security, law enforcement, public and private agencies and businesses. You will learn to interpret large datasets from intelligence sources, analyze geospatial data to identify and characterize patterns and associations, communicate effectively with the various entities within the intelligence community and develop intelligence products vital to effective decision-making.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Working professionals looking to expand their skills
- Students interested in cybersecurity, national security or government intelligence programs
- Non-degree seeking students
You Will Be Able To:
- Identify key concepts and issues in security-related intelligence
- Determine patterns and trends in large data sets
- Enhance communication skills with HUMINT
Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.
Courses and Requirements
The Intelligence Analysis Certificate requires a core of four courses, which explore concepts in open source intelligence, national security, technical intelligence and HUMINT— human intelligence derived from questioning and interpersonal interactions. An additional GIS course and lab in photo interpretation is recommended to round out your skills.
- EME 3003 - Open Source Intelligence
3 Credit Hours
Open Source Intelligence
Provides students with an academic and practical understanding of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and its applications. Students will learn about Open Source Intelligence as a discipline, its place in the intelligence world, and OSINT planning and execution. Students will become familiar with OSINT acquisition and exploitation techniques by developing an understanding of available technological tools and capabilities.
- EME 3002 - Intelligence and National Security
3 Credit Hours
Intelligence and National Security
Students will develop an academic understanding of national security and the government agencies that are responsible for protecting the United States and its interests. Students will learn about the intelligence cycle, national security decision making, and the intelligence community and review case studies of intelligence in action. Students will also become familiar with analytic writing and intelligence analysis through case studies and weekly assignments of current national security news.
- EME 4001 - HUMINT Operations
3 Credit Hours
HUMINT Operations
Students will learn the importance of human originated information, or HUMINT, in the context of law enforcement, military and intelligence operations. Students will learn about interview, interrogation and elicitation techniques that are employed within the law enforcement and national security communities. Students will be able to recognize and describe the difference between overt and clandestine source operations and when HUMINT should and should not be utilized in the pursuit of legal or national security priorities. Students will also be able to assess basic psychological indicators in the profiling of historic espionage cases and their impact on national security.
- EME 4474 - Technical Intelligence Collection
3 Credit Hours
Technical Intelligence Collection
Introduces students to intelligence disciplines (ELINT, SIGINT, MASINT, GEOINT) and intelligence organizations (NSA, NGA, NRO and DIA). Students will examine the history of these organizations, technologies used in each intelligence discipline, and common uses of each technology. The course focuses on improving analytical writing and research skills in the intelligence discipline.
- EME 3003 - Open Source Intelligence
- GIS 4043 - Geographic Information Systems
3.0 Credit Hours
Geographic Information Systems
Spatial database will be queried to solve spatial problems, analyze related attributes, and produce computerized cartographic output. Examines spatial data structures, data acquisition, processing, management, manipulation, and analysis for interdisciplinary applications and research. Permission is required. Material and Supply Fee will be assessed for corresponding lab. Credit cannot be received for both GIS 4043 and GEO 4151. Co-requisite: GIS 4043L
- GIS 4043L - GIS Laboratory
1 Credit Hours
GIS Laboratory
This course teaches fundamental concepts and techniques of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It covers basic concepts such as map projections, spatial data models, relational databases, spatial analysis, and visualization of spatially distributed data and phenomena. By the end of the course, students are expected to have an understanding of elementary GIS theory, working knowledge of ArcGIS, and the ability to develop GIS-based solutions to geographic modeling and analysis tasks. For most exercises, students will use real-world GIS data in order to learn how to overcome typical problems encountered by GIS practitioners. The last three weeks of the course will focus on the development, execution and presentation of a final GIS project. Prior to enrollment, students should be competent with Windows operating system including: storage, copying and management of multiple data types, managing multiple windows and applications, and saving files to local drives; a basic familiarity with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Materials and Supply fee will be assessed. Co-requisite: GIS 4043.
- GIS 4043 - Geographic Information Systems
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the University of West Florida’s online Intelligence Analysis Certificate program, you must be admitted to the University as an undergraduate non-degree seeking student.
How to Apply
Once accepted as an undergraduate non-degree seeking student, students should contact the CEPS Advising Center and speak to an advisor about course availability and scheduling, and also complete the online Undergraduate Certificate Declaration Form on MyUWF.
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our undergraduate admissions team at admissions@uwf.edu. If you are a current UWF student, please reach out to the department academic advisor.
Costs & Financial Aid
| Component | Cost | Total* |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $218.98 per credit hour | $2,627.76–$3,284.70 |
Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted. This program takes 2–4 semesters to complete, depending on course availability.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Military Students
UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
With an Intelligence Analysis Certificate, you can go on to other degree programs or pursue advancement in a variety of careers.
* Salary and job outlook information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale.
Information Security Analysts
These employees are responsible for overseeing cybersecurity in businesses and organizations. They work with both software and hardware to make sure the business runs smoothly. Information security analysts may also teach other employees how to protect their information and address their concerns. In 2021, information security analysts made a median annual salary of $102,600. Available jobs are predicted to grow 35 percent through 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Cybersecurity Consultants
Cybersecurity consultants understand weaknesses in computer security, and work with businesses and companies to make sure their systems are secure. These consultants must be persistent, detail-oriented and excellent communicators. Cybersecurity consultants/analysts make an annual salary of $87,737, and available jobs are expected to grow 32 percent through 2028.
Certified Ethical Hackers
Ethical hackers are employed to try and hack into secure systems and data in order to identify weak spots and strengthen cybersecurity. This position requires experience with coding, information security, viruses and worms. At times, a certified ethical hacker will work closely with other employees and administrators to improve their cybersecurity. The annual salary for these employees is $79,256, and job growth is expected to increase 28 percent through 2028.