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Matt Zbrog
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Crime and Intelligence Analysis Programs
“For every cop that carries a gun out there and does police work, there’s a large number of people behind them, providing support, and crime analysis is a huge part of that.”Ron Mark, Director of the Center for Criminal Justice Research & Training, California State University Long Beach (CSULB)
Fighting crime has often come down to the analysis of data. But for today’s crime and intelligence analysts, it’s not just about scouring evidence to bring criminals to justice but also sifting through vast amounts of data to predict crimes before they happen.
Using a combination of old-school behavioral criminology, tried-and-tested statistics, and cutting-edge tech, crime and intelligence analysts take a data-driven approach to lowering the crime rate. Their work can inform policies and strategic operations that prevent violent crime, gang activity, drug trafficking, and terrorist operations.
This is fighting crime without ever having to carry a gun or chase a suspect down a dark alley. Because for crime and intelligence analysts, their gun is a keen set of analytical frameworks, and the dark alley reaches all across the globe. Investigators in the field often act under an analyst’s policies, objectives, and recommendations.
If you’re ready to join the ranks of people fighting tomorrow’s crime with today’s tech, read on to look at certificate and degree programs in crime and intelligence analysis.
| Featured Crime Analysis Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Crime Analysis (Graduate Certificate) | Visit Site |
| Arizona State University | Crime Analysis (MS) | Visit Site |
| Southern New Hampshire University | BSCJ - Criminology and Crime Analysis | Visit Site |
| Boston University | MSCJ - Crime Analysis Concentration | Visit Site |
| Michigan State University | Online MS - Law Enforcement Intelligence & Analysis | Visit Site |
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Meet the Expert: Ron Mark
Ron Mark is the current director of the Center for Criminal Justice Research & Training at California State University Long Beach (CSULB). He is a retired police manager with over 30 years of law enforcement experience.
He is involved with various law enforcement associations that identify trends in law enforcement, develop training to address emerging issues, and advocate for the advancement of this profession. Much of the Center’s research is directed toward identifying future training needs and building cooperative partnerships with community stakeholders.
ForensicsColleges.com: What’s something you wish the public understood about crime and intelligence analysis?
Mark: In the past, most law enforcement positions were staffed by sworn peace officers. But what you’re seeing now is a pivot towards more of what we call professional staff. For every cop that carries a gun out there and does police work, there’s a large number of people behind them, providing support, and crime analysis is a huge part of that.
ForensicsColleges.com: Do you have any advice or encouragement for those interested in careers in crime and intelligence analysis?
Mark: If you want to serve the public, if you want to serve your community, if you want to make a difference and be in public service but not necessarily become a cop or a probation officer, then this is a great option. It’s a growing field for people who want to support public safety.
ForensicsColleges.com: What does the future of the field look like to you?
Mark: More and more agencies are starting to recognize the value of crime analysts. They can save time, money, and resources. The next step could be more real-time crime centers, where analysts perform a combination of crime analysis and dispatching.
Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Crime and Intelligence Analysis
East Coast Polytechnic Institute (ECPI) offers an online bachelor of science (BS) in criminal justice with a concentration in crime and intelligence analysis. The program blends intelligence theory, investigative philosophy, and collaborative decision-making through simulated exercises, case studies, and labs. Concentration courses cover geotechnologies; mobile device forensics; crime mapping; and fraud examination.
Upon completing the 121-credit program, graduates can utilize geotechnologies, create crime maps, demonstrate the intelligence cycle, develop ethical strategies for intelligence collection, and forecast crime and security threats to inform decision-making.
- Location: Newport News, VA
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
American Military University (AMU) has an online bachelor of arts (BA) in intelligence studies designed for those interested in (or already working towards) supporting military, civilian, and corporate intelligence operations.
The faculty contains many professionals currently working in leadership roles within the intelligence industry, and the school maintains strong links to agencies and professionals working within the field. The program also offers a long list of concentration options, from those geared towards a particular geographic region to those more operationally focused.
Upon graduation, students are well versed in the intelligence cycle and can participate in it by conducting basic research and professional analyses on issues relevant to intelligence consumers.
- Location: Charles Town, WV
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Indiana State University offers an online bachelor of science (BS) in intelligence analysis that prepares students for work in either the public or private sector. The program highlights the evolving nature of intelligence analysis, focusing on the use of new academic research and analysis methods.
Core courses focus on criminal justice and intelligence analysis, covering topics such as ethics in criminal justice; strategic intelligence; an introduction to intelligence analysis; and research methods of criminal justice. Through their electives, students may choose one of four concentrations: counterintelligence, criminal intelligence, intelligence collection, or intelligence operations.
Before graduation, each student also completes an internship to gain practical experience applying intelligence analysis in the real world.
- Location: Terre Haute, IN
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Online Master’s Degrees in Crime and Intelligence Analysis
Saint Joseph’s University has an online master of science (MS) in criminal justice. The curriculum focuses on the contemporary functions of intelligence analysis and how it can be used to influence crime prevention policies. Students in the program are no longer simply analyzing data but looking at how that data (and the processes around it) impact the decisions and outcomes of organizations and communities. Concentration courses cover the following topics: law enforcement intelligence analysis; law enforcement intelligence policy and process; white-collar crime; forensic financial analysis; terrorism; and homeland security.
Graduates can analyze raw data, compare it to hypotheses, and convert the results into actionable reports.
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
American Military University (AMU) offers an online master of arts (MA) in intelligence studies designed for students seeking advancement to leadership positions in the intelligence field. Courses cover topics such as strategic intelligence collection, analysis, management, and operations; criminal intelligence, transnational crimes, and narcotics; the ethical challenges of the intelligence community; and signals (human, open-source, cyber, and geospatial).
The program allows students to choose from a wide range of concentrations, one of which is criminal intelligence. An advisory council of industry experts regularly reviews the curriculum for relevance. The program’s faculty is highly credentialed, with many of the instructors holding key positions in government agencies or other intelligence organizations.
- Location: Charles Town, WV
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Certificate Programs in Crime and Intelligence Analysis
California State University Long Beach (CSULB) offers a certificate in crime and intelligence analysis, delivered through the College of Continuing and Professional Education. It can be taken either online or in person.
The program’s ten courses meet law enforcement analyst training standards established by the International Association of Crime Analysts and the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts. It also includes assistance with career preparation and expectations.
Classes are taught by experienced crime analysts, supervising crime analysts, criminal justice professors, and other law enforcement professionals. Many instructors are part of the California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Crime Analysis Core Course presented by the Center for Criminal Justice. The certificate curriculum is also based on the CA POST Crime and Intelligence Analysis curriculum delivered by the Center for Criminal Justice Research and Training at CSULB.
- Location: Long Beach, CA
- Duration: 5 months
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
The University of Cincinnati has a certificate program in crime and intelligence analysis that students can complete entirely online. The university’s School of Criminal Justice has consistently ranked in the top 15 by US News & World Report. The certificate program gives students the conceptual, technical, and analytical skills necessary to work in criminal and intelligence analysis.
Upon graduation, students can apply criminal intelligence analysis to real-world public safety issues, use various modern software and hardware to conduct investigations, and use insights to inform strategies and policies that address public safety.
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
- Duration: One year
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) offers an on-campus crime and intelligence analysis certificate. The program teaches students how to define criminal trends and use analysis to create strategies that lead to an effective response from law enforcement. Courses cover crime data analysis; criminal investigative analysis; computer applications for crime and intelligence analysis; and law enforcement research and statistical methods.
Upon graduation, students receive 18.8 continuing education units, 400 hours of on-the-job training, and nationally-recognized certifications both from CSUF and the Law Enforcement Intelligence Units (LEIU).
- Location: Fullerton, CA
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
University of West Florida
The University of West Florida offers an undergraduate certificate in intelligence analysis. The program consists of 12 credit hours, and is available to degree-seeking students and non-degree seeking individuals alike. The curriculum is oriented both towards new graduates and current students aiming to enter the field, as well as those individuals who already have some experience in intelligence and are hoping to boost their skills, knowledge or employment prospects.
- Location: Pensacola, Florida
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
Common Courses and Requirements – Crime and Intelligence Analysis Programs
Various degree programs are available in the crime and intelligence analysis field, each with their own prerequisites and common courses. However, even within each degree type, there can be variations from school to school. Therefore, it’s best to check each program’s admissions information and curriculum content individually, but you’ll find some general guidelines to know what to expect below.
Bachelor’s Degree in Crime and Intelligence Analysis – Admissions and Curriculum
Prerequisites: official high school and college transcripts with a competitive (2.7 or greater) GPA; letter(s) of recommendation; a personal statement; SAT or ACT scores; TOEFL scores for non-native speakers; and an application fee.
Common Courses: introduction to criminal justice; criminal procedure; ethics in criminal justice; research methods; crime intelligence analysis; mobile device forensics; and crime mapping.
Sample Program: East Coast Polytechnic Institute
Master’s Degree in Crime and Intelligence Analysis – Admissions and Curriculum
Prerequisites: official undergraduate transcripts with a strong (3.0 or greater) GPA; letter(s) of recommendation; a personal statement; GRE or GMAT scores; a resume with relevant work experience; TOEFL scores for non-native speakers; an interview; and an application fee.
Common Courses: research methods and analysis; ethics and criminal justice; criminological theory; law enforcement intelligence analysis; and law enforcement intelligence policy and process.
Sample Program: Saint Joseph’s University
Certificate in Crime and Intelligence Analysis – Admissions and Curriculum
Prerequisites: official high school and college transcripts; proof of relevant coursework; TOEFL scores for non-native speakers; and an application fee.
Common Courses: crime analysis applications; social media for the crime analyst; crime mapping and spatial analysis; criminal investigative analysis.
Sample Program: California State University Long Beach (CSULB)
Professional Certifications in Crime and Intelligence Analysis
After earning a degree or certificate, many who work in crime and intelligence analysis go on to pursue a professional certification.
While not a requirement to practice, professional certification does act as a mark of distinction on one’s resume. In addition, professional certification demonstrates one’s expertise in criminal intelligence analysis and a commitment to continuing education and professional development.
Criminal Intelligence Certified Analyst (CICA)
The International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA) offers professional certification as a Criminal Intelligence Certified Analyst (CICA). To be deemed eligible, applicants must have one year of continuous membership with the IALEIA, hold a full-time position in criminal intelligence analysis, have a bachelor’s degree, and have three years of work experience. The application fee is $100.
Once deemed eligible, applicants must pass the four-hour CICA exam with a minimum composite score of 70 percent to earn the CICA credential. The exam covers numerous topics related to crime and intelligence analysis, including:
- Intelligence product development
- Structured analytic techniques
- Crime indicators
- Crime pattern analysis
- Inference development
- The intelligence cycle
The exam fee is $100.
The CICA designation is valid for five years. To recertify, CICA-holders must have maintained continuous membership with the IALEIA, completed a minimum of eight hours of continuing education, and demonstrated significant professional development.
CICA-holders can demonstrate professional development in several ways, including developing a training segment; publishing an article on an industry-related topic; being nominated for an industry award; or serving in a leadership position. The recertification fee is $75.
Certified Law Enforcement Analyst (CLEA)
A second certification is the Certified Law Enforcement Analyst (CLEA) credential offered by the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA). To be eligible for this certification, applicants must meet four prerequisites: have three years of full-time experience as an analyst in intelligence or a related field; earned a minimum of 100 points in work and education experience; be a current member of IACA; and earn 100 points in the organization’s Certification Tracker.
The exam is offered electronically two times per year via live proctored sessions. Applicants have four hours to complete 190 multiple-choice, true-false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions. To pass, applicants must earn a 70 percent in each of the 19 skillset areas, which include:
- Criminal behavior
- Law enforcement data and crime analysis data sources
- Internet resources
- Applied research methods
- Qualitative analysis
- Spreadsheet operations
- GIS and crime mapping
- Organized crime
The application and exam fee is $175.
Certification lasts for five years, and credential holders must meet three of nine conditions for recertification through professional development, teaching, learning, and volunteering related to law enforcement and intelligence. The recertification fee is $25.
Crime and Intelligence Analysis Program Accreditation
Accreditation ensures that educational crime and intelligence analysis programs meet regional and national standards for faculty, curriculum, and student outcomes.
Although there is no specific accreditation body for the field of crime and intelligence analysis, the US Department of Education recognizes six organizations to provide regional accreditation to institutes of higher learning:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Please note that some government bodies, such as the National Security Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, and the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts, may recognize specific schools or programs for excellence, but they do not offer formal accreditation.
Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about the increasing digitization of investigations, the growing importance of forensic science, and emerging areas of investigative practice like open source intelligence (OSINT) and blockchain forensics. His writing and research are focused on learning from those who know the subject best, including leaders and subject matter specialists from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS). As part of the Big Employers in Forensics series, Matt has conducted detailed interviews with forensic experts at the ATF, DEA, FBI, and NCIS.