This certificate program is designed to familiarize students with issues in national security law, intelligence and security needs, problems of security risk confronted by private and governmental organizations, and how governments and other organization communicate with each other and work jointly on security matters. Inter-jurisdictional and inter-governmental aspects of security issues concerning infrastructure, travel and transport, immigration, and other similar matters are emphasized. The program is valuable for students interested in understanding the complex world of security bureaucracy, intelligence, and organizational cooperation in security matters, and for those students seeking careers in governmental and private agencies employing security technology, methodology, and services. Students are required to complete fifteen hours of required courses. Any UTEP graduate student in good academic standing is eligible for enrollment in the Graduate Certificate in Intelligence and National Security Studies.

Admission Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Intelligence and National Security is designed for working and mid-career professionals who already hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree and are interested in further professional education. Applicants must complete the graduate school application and provide an official transcript. Students can be classified as non-degree-seeking students or have the certificate program incorporated into the degree requirements appropriate to their department and after meeting all program requirements for admission. Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Intelligence and National Security and decide to pursue a graduate degree at a later date can apply to the appropriate graduate program and request that the units become part of their program upon admission.

Academic Standards

Students must earn a "B" grade or better in INSS 5304 Intel & Natl Sec Pol & Proc and in their capstone course to be awarded the certificate.  Students will only be given one opportunity to retake a failed course ("C" grade or lower).  Students with a cumulative GPA below 2.5 will be placed on academic probation. Students will only have one semester to return to "good" standing with a GPA of 2.5 or better.  Those students failing to return to good academic standing after one semester may be dismissed.