The intelligence and national security master’s program is now being offered as a fully online program starting in the spring.

“It’s the same exact curriculum you would get if you attended class here,” said Mike Botta, professor and department chair of Criminal Justice and Intelligence Studies.

According to Point Park’s program website, it will help students enter a government agency focused on keeping the country secure and learn basic knowledge on subjects such as intelligence history, international terrorism and counter intelligence.

Online programs through the University are becoming increasingly popular.

“Our university’s online degrees are all pretty new, many of them have been developed over the past year or so,” said admissions counselor Alyssa Goetz.

Online courses can be beneficial and time efficient for some students. Many new systems are being created to keep the student from feeling isolated. They are required to interact with the professors and the other students enrolled in the class in an educational chat room-like setting. There are also midterms and finals just like traditional classes.

“It can be a very helpful for students who are trying to work while getting an education,” Goetz said.

 “A lot of people criticize online schooling and say that there’s no interaction between professor and student, and that’s not true,” Botta said. “I create a discussion board where I ask the students a question and they must post their response and interact with at least two other students by commenting on what they post”.

The professor also gives students feedback on their work and gives examples of using tools such as YouTube videos that are related to the topic being studied at the time.

“If I asked my students something like: ‘Based upon the given material, how do you feel about the deployment of troops in Syria?’ They would have to create a discussion based on that,” Botta said. “It really is like a cyber classroom, we create a community learning environment,” Botta said.

Students from 22 different states will be entering the program in the spring semester.

“We can now reach a broader audience with the field of Intel,” Botta said. “It’s all about staying competitive and expanding our geographic footprint.”

Some of the career outcomes that graduates of this program could eventually have include Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Defense, Transportation and Security Administration, U.S. Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection. 

“I’m proud of the program and the people who teach it,” Botta said. “They’re all highly educated and experienced in the field.”

Students who are interested in applying for this program can fill out the free online application and send in their transcripts to get started today. 

“Once you get in and get your feet wet, you’ll really enjoy it,” Botta said.