Faculty

Robert Maguire, Assistant Professor of International Affairs (Program Director)

Description

The Trinity College Certificate Program in Strategic Information Management and Intelligence is a non-degree program for both graduate and advanced undergraduate students seeking professional training in a field of growing importance for businesses and non-governmental organizations. Special emphasis within the program is placed on how traditional methods of gathering intelligence information can be applied strategically by businesses and NGOs to manage modern international operations and to increase their competitive edge.

Drawing on the unique combination of organizational and human resources available in the Washington, D.C. area, the certificate program takes a decidedly applied approach. Students will interact with practitioners in government and the private sector, acquiring knowledge that can either enhance their ongoing professional involvement in the field of information management, or that can prepare them to work with businesses or non-governmental organizations. Toward that end, the program places special emphasis on the urgent need for solid and strategic application of intelligence methodologies that can assist businesses and non-governmental organizations to function effectively in challenging security environments. Courses are taught by intelligence and information management professionals from both government and business.

In addition to a minimum of 12 credits of required course work, the program requires completion of a three-credit capstone course during which an independent research paper is written. Advanced undergraduate students enrolled in the certificate program must also complete a three-credit supervised internship. Students receiving the certificate must also demonstrate a beginning proficiency in a language other than English.

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Certificate Requirements

Required Core Courses (15 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

INAF 520 Strategic Information Management and Intelligence for Business and
               Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
INAF 521 Collecting Information and Intelligence
INAF 523 Analysis of Information and Intelligence to Achieve Results
INAF 524 Issues in Ethics and International Affairs
INAF 599 Certificate Capstone

Language Requirement

To receive the certificate, students must demonstrate a beginning proficiency in a language other than English that is relevant to applied intelligence work.

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Additional Requirements for Undergraduates

While the Strategic Information Management and Intelligence Certificate Program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, advanced undergraduate students may pursue the certificate program once they have completed the prerequisites listed below. Undergraduate students must also complete an internship.

Undergraduate Prerequisites (9 credits)

ONE course in statistics:

MATH 110 Introduction to Statistics

ONE world geography course selected from:

INAF 251 Geography of the Americas and Europe
INAF 252 Geography of Africa and Asia

ONE international affairs course:

INAF 363 Intelligence and World Affairs

If an undergraduate student does not meet the language requirement prior to enrollment in the program, he or she may complete the certificate language requirement concurrent with enrollment in certificate program courses, but prior to enrollment in the program's capstone course.

Undergraduate Internship Requirement (3 credits)

ONE Internship:

INAF 591 Internship

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Certificate Enhancing Courses

Optional courses from the following list will enhance the student's knowledge of issues linked to competitive intelligence applications.

BADM 333 International Marketing
BADM 355 Issues in International Management
BADM 357 Project Management
COM   325 Intercultural Communication
INAF   371 International Terrorism
INT     420 Philosophy and Public Policy
HUM   450 Seminar in Ethics
PHIL   253 Business and Professional Ethics
POLS 243 The Politics of Globalization
SOCY 231 International Migration: An Introduction to the Issues

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Program Policies

Advanced Placement: Advanced placement credits do not count toward certificate requirements. 

CLEP Policy: Credits earned through CLEP do not count toward certificate requirements, although with approval of the Program Director they may be used to demonstrate language proficiency

Grades in Certificate Courses: Students must earn a grade of "B" (3.0) or better in all required courses and the practicum capstone 

Pass/No Pass: Courses fulfilling the certificate requirements may not be taken pass/no pass. 

Receipt of the Certificate: The Certificate in Strategic Information Management and Intelligence will be awarded upon completion of the minimum required course work with acceptable grades (see above). Undergraduates pursuing the certificate must also complete a supervised internship; the certificate will be awarded upon completion of the bachelor's degree and all certificate course work with acceptable grades (see above). 

TELL Policy: TELL credits are not applicable toward the certificate. 

Transfer Credits: Transfer credits are not applicable toward the certificate, although with the approval of the Program Director they may be used to demonstrate language proficiency and/or to serve as undergraduate prerequisites.

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Course Descriptions

INAF 520 Strategic Information Management and Intelligence for Business and
               Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Addresses how organizations can improve information management through the use of intelligence applications. Reviews intelligence methodologies used for collecting, compiling, analyzing and corroborating information. Emphasis is placed on methods, sources and tool kits required to achieve strategic information management goals and on practical applications in such subject areas as international marketing, economic development, humanitarian assistance and international migration. Students identify critical issues, problems, and potential areas in which intelligence is applicable and utilize techniques to assist policy-makers in corporate and non-governmental settings. Formerly INS 520 Global Competitive Intelligence: A Tool for Business and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
3 credits

INAF 521 Collecting Information and Intelligence
Explores how information and intelligence collection requirements for any organization presuppose sensitivity to the political, operational, strategic, and tactical needs of the end-user. Examines how organizations must identify, use, and manage a wide variety of information sources to meet collection goals. Students learn how effective collection requires a concrete and specific definition of the task or problem and the continuous refinement thereafter to ensure the most comprehensive and accurate collection possible. This course covers the full range of intelligence collection disciplines, including the governmental, academic, and corporate models, with an emphasis on the acquisition, evaluation, and protection of data/information resources. Formerly INS 521 Global Competitive Intelligence and the Identification of Collection Requirements.
3 credits

INAF 523 Analysis of Information and Intelligence to Achieve Results
Examines theoretical foundations of analytical thinking. Practical exercises enable students to draw valid analytical conclusions, recognize sources of bias and error, understand the role of personality and psychology in the analysis process, and effectively produce clear and actionable finished products for strategic information management. Ancillary topics include the use of analytical support software, the analyst/policymaker division, and the editing and peer review process. Students distinguish among general types of products and their applications, produce coherent written analysis and briefings for a variety of audiences, and acquire a solid working knowledge of analytical methodologies to complement their professional skills. Formerly INS 523 Global Competitive Intelligence Applications: Analysis and Results.
3 credits

INAF 524 Issues in Ethics and International Affairs
Examines major ethical, legal, and moral questions that arise in the analysis of international affairs, giving particular attention to issues related to the pursuit and use of information, particularly in the conduct of an organization's international operations and in the broader arena of foreign policy.
3 credits

INAF 591 Internship
Allows students to be placed with an international, intra-governmental, governmental, non-governmental organization, or private sector firm under the direction of an on-site supervisor and a Trinity faculty member. During the 96-hour internship, students are expected to apply acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities to make a positive contribution to the work of the host organization. This course is required for advanced, full-time undergraduate students. By arrangement only. Formerly INS 599 Supervised Internship.
3 credits

INAF 599 Certificate Capstone
Under the supervision of program staff, the student develops a case study designed to draw upon the full range of acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities. The end product is a monograph-length study covering a relevant and current topic of interest to both the student and a broader audience of policy-makers, analysts, or program managers. Formerly INS 590B Competitive Intelligence Applications for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), International Business, or International Politics (Capstone Practicum).
3 credits

Note: Courses with prefixes other than INAF that serve as recommended or prerequisite courses are listed in other sections of this catalog.

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