The Middlebury Institute has launched a new MA in Threat Intelligence in response to rising demand for professionals who can navigate complex technological and political challenges.
“I find that people who like threat intel like the mess, like the complexity, like getting to be on the cutting edge of the world of threats that are out there right now and kind of seeing the next thing that’s coming over the horizon,” says Dr. Katharine Petrich, chair of the new program.
The program is now enrolling for fall 2025. This 12-month, STEM-designated degree leverages the expertise of faculty in the Institute’s current master’s program in nonproliferation and terrorism studies.
“This is a great field and degree for you if you want a wider range of employers than just the federal government,” explains Petrich. “You can work in big tech, you could work in the private sector. There are a lot of different places where you can plug in without necessarily having to be a computer scientist.”
Program chair Katharine Petrich highlights how this degree will prepare professionals to work in this exciting field.
AI-enabled cyber attacks. Ransomware. Dark web and underground markets. Disinformation and deep fakes.
Global security is evolving at an unprecedented pace and that is creating great opportunities for professionals who can help businesses and governments navigate complex technological and geopolitical challenges.
“This degree is designed to prepare people for a really wide range of jobs in threat intelligence, which is dealing with a whole bunch of different bad actors, gray zone actors, corporate espionage,” says Petrich.
The Middlebury Institute has a network of global security alumni around the world, working across consulting, banking, tech, federal, state, and local government entities, and intergovernmental organizations. Employers include INTERPOL, FBI, Google, META, and major banks like HSBC.
The program’s emphasis on practical application ensures graduates are prepared to work in the field immediately.
“When you are launched out into that job market, you are prepared with Python and data visualization, subject matter expertise, and things like sanctions evasion or blockchain analytics,” says Petrich.
Students learn strategic communications techniques, how to safely conduct research on the dark web, and how to analyze open source intelligence (OSINT) and satellite imagery, among other areas.
The Institute is home to two prestigious research centers, which provide paid research opportunities for students. The Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism specializes in domestic extremism, transnational emerging threats, and trust and safety tech policy. The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies is the largest nongovernmental organization in the world focused on preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
Other opportunities include participating in the prestigious Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge and taking courses at the nearby Naval Postgraduate School.
Students have the flexibility to customize their degree, selecting from a wide range of courses. They can complete their degree in 12 months, with STEM designation providing expanded work opportunities for international students and scholarship opportunities for U.S. students.
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