Centered? The Growing Role of Centers in Intelligence Studies Programs

In recent years, civilian higher education programs in the area of Intelligence Studies have begun adding academic centers as a complement to their existing curriculum offerings. This study traces the development, operations, and impact of four such centers in the United States. Through a comparative case study approach, it is found that while centers in this subject area may focus on different educational objectives, each works toward this goal with an interdisciplinary approach and a desire to grow their capabilities in the area of cybersecurity. The development of such centers in the field of Intelligence Studies raises questions about the future of such extra-curricular opportunities as a programmatic expectation.