Augusta University Hybrid PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy

[Jonathan Whatley]

Augusta University has received approval from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to offer a first-of-its-kind PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy that will be known as AU’s PhD in national defense.

The new program, the first PhD program offered by Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at AU, will offer students extensive core work with required credit hours in research methods, intelligence studies, strategic cybersecurity and traditional security studies. The aim of the program is to give students a broad-based understanding of security studies. […]

Developed as a professional degree, it is designed for academic and government professionals and includes coverage of theory and practice. The program is designed to enhance the strategic and practical knowledge of students already working in national defense, as well as those who are looking to secure careers with the Department of Defense (DoD), other federal agencies or academic institutions and think tanks aligned with the defense community.

The program’s hybrid-online instructional method will feature a mixture of mostly synchronous courses with some asynchronous options, opening the program to interested applicants nationwide, particularly those already in the workforce. This expands its potential reach to the entire nation, including all DoD sites, bases and federal agencies.

AU to launch new PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy (Milledge Austin, JAGWire [Augusta University], August 14, 2024)

[FireMedic_Philosopher]

Augusta University has received approval from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to offer a first-of-its-kind PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy that will be known as AU’s PhD in national defense.

The new program, the first PhD program offered by Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at AU, will offer students extensive core work with required credit hours in research methods, intelligence studies, strategic cybersecurity and traditional security studies. The aim of the program is to give students a broad-based understanding of security studies. […]

Developed as a professional degree, it is designed for academic and government professionals and includes coverage of theory and practice. The program is designed to enhance the strategic and practical knowledge of students already working in national defense, as well as those who are looking to secure careers with the Department of Defense (DoD), other federal agencies or academic institutions and think tanks aligned with the defense community.

The program’s hybrid-online instructional method will feature a mixture of mostly synchronous courses with some asynchronous options, opening the program to interested applicants nationwide, particularly those already in the workforce. This expands its potential reach to the entire nation, including all DoD sites, bases and federal agencies.

AU to launch new PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy (Milledge Austin, JAGWire [Augusta University], August 14, 2024)

Cost to out-of-state students is $822 per hour or just under $50,000 plus fees. The program is cheaper for GA residents and active duty service members stationed in Georgia.

https://www.augusta.edu/tuition/graduate.php
-Click Pamplin College of Arts and scroll down.

Seems like an interesting program, but too rich for my blood and I have to say... seems expensive for a brand new just-launched degree with no street cred behind it yet.

ymmv

[ss20ts]

Cost to out-of-state students is $822 per hour or just under $50,000 plus fees. The program is cheaper for GA residents and active duty service members stationed in Georgia.

https://www.augusta.edu/tuition/graduate.php
-Click Pamplin College of Arts and scroll down.

Seems like an interesting program, but too rich for my blood and I have to say... seems expensive for a brand new just-launched degree with no street cred behind it yet.

ymmv

There is a huge military presence in the Augusta area due to Fort Gordon in Grovetown, GA and the Savannah River National Laboratory across the border in Aiken, SC. So a degree like this is catered for them. They wouldn't be paying $50K with their military education benefits. 



[/url]

[url=https://www.srnl.gov/]

[kakasahib]

[quote pid='429274' dateline='1729003690']


[/url]

[url=https://www.srnl.gov/]
[/quote]

Here is what in store for the Augusta 

Intelligence, Defense & Cybersecurity Policy PhD Supplement
PhD In Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy additional admissions standards:
In addition to standard graduate admissions requirements, applicants to this program must meet certain conditions. Because this program’s courses are aligned with US national security objectives and doctrines, applicants to the PhD program in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy must be eligible for and have a reasonable expectation of receiving U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance to be admitted to the program. Applicants need not possess or apply for DoD security clearance prior to being admitted to the program but must have a reasonable expectation to believe that they meet the requirements to receive such a clearance and that it will be granted.

DOD requirements to receive security clearance include the following:
1.    United States Citizenship
2.    Demonstrated loyalty to the United States
3.    Demonstration of good character and conduct
4.    Passing a background check
5.    Completing a Personal Security Questionnaire (SF-86)
6.    Undergoing Fingerprinting

Factors that can impact your ability to gain DOD security clearance include, but are not limited to:
•    Criminal conduct
•    Drug involvement
•    Financial considerations
•    Use of information technology systems
•    Foreign influence
•    Alcohol consumption
•    Psychological conditions and personal behavior
•    Handling protected information
•    Dishonorably discharged from the military
•    Illegal drug use
•    Revocation of prior security clearances
•    History of financial difficulties, such as unpaid bills
Confirm: I have read and understand the conditions stated above.

[Jonathan Whatley]

Here is what in store for the Augusta 

That's something different! I wonder if they'd consider waiving the US citizenship requirement for either a non-citizen serving in the US military, or a citizen of a close US ally like a NATO or ANZUS member, South Korea, etc.

[kakasahib]

Here is what in store for the Augusta 

That's something different! I wonder if they'd consider waiving the US citizenship requirement for either a non-citizen serving in the US military, or a citizen of a close US ally like a NATO or ANZUS member, South Korea, etc.

I agree but they are tough. When i applied to the PhD and right after i have millions interview (2 interviews ) with admission folks and man their reference requirements (3 external and professional references) is pain as well. It seems like they want to give degree to the Military employees only. The references people all are being researched and what they say its like presenting a case in court as a witness. For me that degree is deal breaker and one of references said that he can't be dealing with this BS where they should ask my regular acdemic reference ....

I am not sure why they are making it hard?

[bjcheung77]

It's a new program with strict requirements, I don't see them budging in any of those requirements... Great find for those who can get in, seems like a very good program as well. Lots of BS to go through such number of hoops, but they'll most likely get hundreds of applications anyways, they would want the best qualified people to get in...

[kakasahib]

It's a new program with strict requirements, I don't see them budging in any of those requirements... Great find for those who can get in, seems like a very good program as well.  Lots of BS to go through such number of hoops, but they'll most likely get hundreds of applications anyways, they would want the best qualified people to get in...

Correct. So far i didn't pay any application fee which was surprise. 

So note to anyone. If you give reference make sure person title, their work and everything is at the "Correct level" what i mean if they say they are security analyst ..than they are security analyst not an UBER Driver. I used this example is to just warn because i have CISO friend and i added his reference along with a CUNY professor and they told professor that you are associate professor not full professor and rejected/black listed his reference even i was the one filled the reference details. 


Any way, if you want all the background check for your reference providers this will be good time to give their name and see how many miss representations that had :

[turbotortuga]

Here is what in store for the Augusta 

That's something different! I wonder if they'd consider waiving the US citizenship requirement for either a non-citizen serving in the US military, or a citizen of a close US ally like a NATO or ANZUS member, South Korea, etc.

Likely not as a Non-US Citizen cannot normally obtain a security clearance, even if they are currently AD enlisted. From the requirements of this degree, it seems like they will be asking for a Tier-5 Security Clearance for you (Top Secret), vice a routine Tier-3 (Secret), hence the crazy vetting of the references and such. Better to spend a couple weeks verifying a students info, than spend the six+ months and thousands of dollars to try for a Tier-5 and have it come back with an unfavorable adjudication.

[kakasahib]

[quote pid='432628' dateline='1734513012']

Likely not as a Non-US Citizen cannot normally obtain a security clearance, even if they are currently AD enlisted. From the requirements of this degree, it seems like they will be asking for a Tier-5 Security Clearance for you (Top Secret), vice a routine Tier-3 (Secret), hence the crazy vetting of the references and such. Better to spend a couple weeks verifying a students info, than spend the six+ months and thousands of dollars to try for a Tier-5 and have it come back with an unfavorable adjudication.
[/quote]

This is correct. Admission office told me that even Green Card Holders are not even allowed. 
Man look at this form that needs to be filled. 
https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf


Discourging.