About
The Center for Intelligence & Security Studies

Choose what you would like to know more about:
About CISS
CISS Director
CISS Objectives
Intelligence and Security Studies Minor
Relevant Academic Disciplines

About CISS

Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, U.S. intelligence agencies sought ways to improve the critical task of analysis.

As part of this effort, The University of Mississippi School of Applied Sciences created the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies (CISS). CISS trains students for careers in intelligence analysis and provides educational and scholarly resources to the national Intelligence Community (IC).

CISS Director

Dr. Carl Jensen serves as Director of the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies. For over twenty years, he worked as a special agent for the FBI before joining the faculty of the School of Applied Sciences Department of Legal Studies. Additionally, Dr. Jensen works as a Behavioral Scientist and Policy Analyst for RAND Corporation. His articles have appeared in numerous academic and professional publications.

CISS Objectives

• Educate and prepare students for entry-level positions in the Intelligence Community.


• Develop relevant research programs by identifying funding sources, by encourage and assist UM faculty and others in carrying out this research, and disseminate findings to the IC through traditional and innovative channels (e.g., online journal, research wiki, conferences, speakers' bureau).


• Conduct outreach efforts by sponsoring a consortium of organizations with an interest in analytical matters and national security (e.g., academic institutions, Intelligence Community training academies).

Intelligence and Security Studies Minor

The ISS Minor is designed to prepare outstanding students at the University of Mississippi for entry-level positions in the United States Intelligence Community. In many respects, the ISS minor is unique. In particular:

• Unlike other minors at UM, students will apply for the minor and undergo a rigorous selection process. Students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to remain in the minor's cohort.
• The ISS Minor will require the completion of an internship. UM staff will work with the IC to place students in internships that complement their academic experience. Internships may be in IC agencies, other governmental organizations, and the private sector.
• The ISS Minor consists of 6 mandatory courses. Read more about the courses.

Relevant Academic Disciplines

Core competencies such as engineering, critical language (e.g., Arabic, Chinese), computer and physical science, international relations, and business are highly sought after by the Intelligence Community, and students in such programs are strongly encouraged to apply to the minor. However, outstanding students from any discipline may apply for the ISS Minor.