Military Technologies and Applied Sciences
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations
Focuses on the principles and techniques of intelligence acquisition, analysis and exploitation. Covers intelligence organizations, the intelligence cycle, intelligence operations planning, intelligence analysis and reporting, intelligence methods, electronic and signals intelligence, operations and communications security, human intelligence management, intelligence chain of command, information exploitation and psychological warfare, and the relationship to national security policy and strategy.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 8 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Intelligence, General
- Focuses on the principles and techniques of intelligence acquisition, analysis and exploitation. Covers intelligence organizations, the intelligence cycle, intelligence operations planning, intelligence analysis and reporting, intelligence methods, electronic and signals intelligence, operations and communications security, human intelligence management, intelligence chain of command, information exploitation and psychological warfare, and the relationship to national security policy and strategy.
- Strategic Intelligence
- Focuses on the management, analysis and use of national-level, theatre-level, and international intelligence and related policy issues. Covers intelligence organization and management, strategic uses of intelligence, management of intelligence systems and assets, command and control, joint intelligence operations, electronic and signals intelligence, threat assessment and estimation, intelligence analysis and reporting, counterintelligence, and studies of specific regions and situations.
- Signal/Geospatial Intelligence
- Focuses on the theory, technology and operational aspects of collecting, processing and exploiting remote-sensed, radar, acoustic and other forms of signals intelligence. Covers applied physics, wave propagation and capture, radar systems, acoustics and underwater systems, infrared systems, synthetic aperture systems, collection and processing systems, signal phenomenology, signal analysis and exploitation, and applications to specific intelligence problems.
- Command & Control (C3, C4I) Systems and Operations
- Focuses on the theory, technology and operational use of information and decision systems in support of battlefield, theatre, and global strategic operations. Covers applied mathematics and statistics, computer systems, real-time analysis and decision systems, surveillance and navigation systems, information and communications technology, information security, situational awareness, system integration, joint operations and applications to specific command problems and services.
- Information Operations/Joint Information Operations
- Focuses on the strategic and operational use of information relative to the support of military and strategic policy and objectives. Covers information technology, decision theory and applications, military operations, command and control technology, network operations, network systems integration, computer network defense, space communications technology, and applications to specific military operational tasks.
- Information/Psychological Warfare and Military Media Relations
- Focuses on the support of military and strategic operations and policy via the use of information as a tool of statecraft and warfighting. Covers information technology and systems, information security, command and control, satellite communications, global information dissemination, communications and media management, intelligence, psychological warfare, strategic planning, security policy and doctrine, and applications to specific operations, services, and scenarios.
- Cyber/Electronic Operations and Warfare
- Focuses on the technological and operation aspects of information warfare, including cyber attack and cyber defense. Covers computer and network security, cryptography, computer forensics, systems security engineering, software applications, threat and vulnerability assessment, wireless networks and satellite communications, tactical and strategic planning, legal and ethical issues, and cyber warfare systems development and acquisition.
- Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations, Other
- Intelligence, command control and information operations not listed above.
Also called Advanced Geospatial Intelligence
Also called Cyberspace Operations, Electronic Warfare, Information Warfare
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
- Median pay
- $106,040
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.3%
- Job openings a year
- 10,600
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career Growing slowlyDetectives and Criminal Investigators
- Median pay
- $93,790
- Hiring change through 2035
- 0.2%
- Job openings a year
- 7,800
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingCartographers and Photogrammetrists
- Median pay
- $81,390
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.4%
- Job openings a year
- 900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
This field leads to a mix of in-person and computer-based work. About 55 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.
| College | Degrees a year | Admit rate | Average annual cost after aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona AZ | 196 | 86% | $16,000 |
| Norwich University VT | 111 | 74% | $17,000 |
| Coastal Carolina University SC | 82 | 80% | $13,000 |
| United States Naval Academy MD | 52 | 9% | — |
| Excelsior University NY | 46 | · | — |
| Iowa State University IA | 29 | 89% | $15,000 |
| United States Air Force Academy CO | 22 | 14% | — |
| Indiana State University IN | 18 | 92% | $9,000 |
| Indiana University-Bloomington IN | 13 | 80% | $12,000 |
| York College of Pennsylvania PA | 11 | 94% | $17,000 |
| Lynn University FL | 10 | 74% | $43,000 |
| Fayetteville State University NC | 10 | 80% | $9,000 |
| Thomas Edison State University NJ | 9 | · | — |
| Brigham Young University UT | 8 | 69% | $13,000 |
| Northern Michigan University MI | 6 | 70% | $11,000 |
| Point Park University PA | 4 | 98% | $22,000 |
| Gannon University PA | 2 | 77% | $20,000 |
| University of Lynchburg VA | 2 | 82% | $19,000 |