# Bachelor of Science in Intelligence

## BSI

The Bachelor of Science in Intelligence (BSI) is a**one-year completion program** for students who have completed three years or equivalent credits (80 semester hours minimum) of study to earn their undergraduate degree in intelligence. It is designed to encourage the development of inquiring, responsible graduates who will dedicate themselves to the improvement of the nation’s intelligence community.

The BSI curriculum consists of **eleven core courses**and **six electives,**including **the capstone project,**for a**total of 57 quarter credit hours**.  The core curriculum provides an overview of globalization and the intelligence landscape.  Such understanding is essential for a program founded on the premise that world events can only be understood by employing a variety of disciplinary perspectives, and that they must be understood in a global and geostrategic context.  Students in the BSI program must write and present their ideas effectively; learn independently; use technological tools; retrieve and evaluate sources; develop critical, independent, and creative thinking; and tolerate complexity and ambiguity. Students will develop a respect for self and others in collaborative work.

At the conclusion of the program, the capstone project allows each student to demonstrate critical thinking and innovative analytical problem-solving in a collaborative environment. The project is an opportunity for students to demonstrate that they have achieved the learning outcomes established for the BSI program. The nine-credit experience integrates learning from the core and elective courses, and requires the application of that learning to a significant intelligence problem.

Throughout the BSI program, **students will formative outcomes are assessed by examinations, case studies, written projects, and oral presentations.** The capstone project serves as a summative evaluation of student learning and cultivates alliances and cooperation among faculty and students.  To ensure that students are prepared, as a group, to collaborate on the capstone project, some elective courses will be required to prepare for the project.

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## FAQs about BSI

NIU aims to offer all our IC students a broad and balanced curriculum that provides rewarding and stimulating activities to prepare them for the best social and cultural life.

May I use military training to fulfill some of the 80 hours of BSI prerequisite requirements?

Yes. Military training credits will be evaluated by NIU Admissions in accordance with the American Council on Education (ACE). Credit will not be awarded for experiential training, internships or life experience.

Why does NIU require that I complete 80 hours of coursework before enrolling in the BSI program?

The Bachelor of Science in Intelligence (BSI) is a **degree completion program.**  Students complete their senior year in intelligence study at NIU.  In order for NIU to award you an accredited Bachelor of Science degree, you must have certain general education requirements in composition, math/science, humanities/social science, fine arts, and upper division courses completed.

Can I still apply to the BSI program if I do not have the 80 hour prerequisite coursework complete?

Yes, you may still apply; however, priority consideration will be given to eligible applicants who meet the 80 hour requirement.

**Note:**  All prospective NIU students must meet the **eligibility criteria** before applying.

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