Intelligence Officer Education Requirements And Courses

Intelligence officer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, intelligence officers don't need a college education. The most common degree for intelligence officers is bachelor's degree with 75% graduates, with only 13% intelligence officer graduates earning master's degree. Intelligence officers who decided to graduate from college often finish American University or United States Military Academy. Some good skills to have in this position include personnel security, sci and collection management.

Popular intelligence officer certifications include Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Intelligence Analyst Certified (IAC), or Human Intelligence (HUMINT). To improve intelligence officer qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in intelligence officer education paths.

What education do you need to become an intelligence officer?

What degree do you need to be an intelligence officer?

The most common degree for intelligence officers is bachelor's degree, with 75% of intelligence officers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 13% and master's degree degree at 8%.

Bachelor's, 75%

Master's, 13%

Associate, 8%

Doctorate, 1%

Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become an intelligence officer?

You should major in political science to become an intelligence officer. 16% of intelligence officers major in political science. Other common majors for an intelligence officer include criminal justice and business.

Political Science, 16%

Criminal Justice, 14%

Business, 13%

History, 8%

Other Majors, 49%

Best majors for intelligence officers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Political Science	16.3%
2	Criminal Justice	14.2%
3	Business	13.1%
4	History	8.3%
5	Psychology	6.2%

Show more common intelligence officer majors

20 best online courses for intelligence officers

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1. An Introduction to Emotional Intelligence

4.3

(4,206)

Discovering Emotional Intelligence The Secrets of Emotional Intelligence Manage Emotions Enhancing Relationships...

2. Level 2 Intelligence Analyst Certification

4.5

(2,527)

Training for Explanative Intelligence Analysis...

3. Communication Skills: Emotional Intelligence Coaching

4.4

(627)

Coaching Communication with Emotional Intelligence: Enhancing Skills Developing Strong Relationships Build Success...

4. Intelligence Analysis (Comprehensive - Levels 1, 2 and 3)

4.7

(506)

A comprehensive course on intelligence analysis covering levels 1, 2 and 3...

5. Level 1 Intelligence Analyst Certification

4.5

(9,727)

Training in Critical Thinking & Descriptive Intelligence Analysis...

6. Level 3 Intelligence Analyst Certification

4.5

(1,178)

Predictive Intelligence Analysis...

7. Understanding and developing Emotional Intelligence

4.3

(5,489)

What Emotional Intelligence is, why It matters, and how to develop it...

8. Developing Emotional Intelligence in Teams

4.5

(15,367)

Maximise Team Performance: Strategies for Developing Emotional Intelligence In Teams Enhancing Relationships...

9. Emotional Intelligence Training: EI in the Workplace

4.5

(3,038)

Emotional Intelligence Training. Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace. Emotional Intelligence Course...

10. Sales and Selling with Emotional Intelligence

4.5

(950)

Mastering Sales and Selling Skills The Art of Persuasion with Emotional Intelligence Enhancing Customer Experience...

11. Emotional Intelligence: Gaining Control Over Emotions

4.4

(360)

Exploring Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace and in our Lives...

12. Emotional Intelligence Life Coach Certification (Accredited)

4.7

(2,349)

Emotional Intelligence: Help life coaching clients master emotions, reduce stress, and develop emotional intelligence...

13. Build Authentic Relationships using Emotional Intelligence

4.4

(1,040)

Enhancing Communication with Emotional Intelligence Developing Authentic Relationships Driving Professional Growth...

14. Emotional intelligence in practice

4.5

(1,828)

Emotional intelligence, leadership, professional development, feedback, communication, influence and personal success...

15. Emotional Intelligence at Work Master Your Emotions

4.2

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Learn from the world's leader in Emotional Intelligence, get evidence based tools & techniques (EQ test included)...

16. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Practitioner Cert (ACCREDITED)

4.7

(3,160)

Uncover the powerful Emotional Intelligence change framework & help yourself and others with Emotional Intelligence...

17. Emotional Intelligence: The Complete Masterclass ®

4.5

(1,377)

Achieve Your Emotional Intelligence Break-Through And Learn How To Control Your Mind Once And For All...

18. Critical Thinking with Emotional Intelligence

4.6

(1,406)

Smart Decision Making with Emotional Intelligence: Building Critical Thinking Skills Problem Solving with Empathy...

19. Collaboration and Emotional Intelligence

4.5

(18,321)

Collaborating with Emotional Intelligence: Enhancing Team Dynamics Building Relationships Collaboration for Success...

20. Recruitment, Interviewing, and Emotional Intelligence

4.2

(382)

Smart Hiring with Emotional Intelligence: Recruiting, Interviewing Build Strong Teams Maximise Company Success...

Average intelligence officer salary by education level

According to our data, intelligence officers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $105,638 annually. Intelligence officers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $88,738.

Intelligence officer education level	Intelligence officer salary
Master's Degree	$105,638
Bachelor's Degree	$88,738