PhD in Intelligence, Defense, & Cybersecurity Policy
The PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity prepares students for leadership roles in government, the military, or the private sector.
Our synchronous online curriculum offers extensive core work (with required credit hours in research methods, intelligence studies, cybersecurity policy, and security studies), that will equip students with a strong, broad-based understanding of security studies, especially as it pertains to the national security of the United States and its position in the international arena. Each course will expose students to US policy documents, military doctrine, and academic literature pertinent to the course of study.
Our PhD program in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy offers a robust core curriculum, including essential courses in research methods, intelligence studies, cybersecurity policy, and security studies. You’ll gain hands-on experience by analyzing U.S. policy documents, military doctrine, and cutting-edge research, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to excel in high-level security roles.
Did you know Pamplin’s national defense programs are now recognized by two prestigious organizations? 鶹AV’s MAISS and PhD programs are now affiliated with the prestigious Sword and Shield Honor Society and the International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE). These distinctions recognize our commitment to excellence in homeland security and intelligence education. These partnerships give students access to national networks, recognition, and leadership opportunities, reinforcing 鶹AV’s role as a leader in national defense education.
Contact Us
Dr. Craig Albert- Program Director
Summerville Campus
1120 15th St, AH-N309
鶹AV, GA 30912
706-737-1710
Our Course Work
Classes You Can Take:
Area I: Intelligence Studies
SECR 7200: Us Intelligence Theory and Practice
SECR 7202: Intelligence and Research Analysis
SECR 7205: Social Media Intelligence
SECR 7206: Counter-Intelligence Theory and Practice
SECR 7208: Strategic Intelligence
Area II: National Defense Studies
SECR 7101: U.S. Grand Strategy and Foreign Policy
SECR 7104: Domestic Terrorism
SECR 7105: Advanced Counterterrorism Strategies
SECR 7106: International Conflict and Security
SECR 7107: Nationalism, Identity, and Ethnic Conflict
SECR 7108: Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and International Security
Area III: Cybersecurity Policy
SECR 7300: Theories of Cyberwar
SECR 7301: US Cyber Strategy and Policy
SECR 7302: Comparative Cyber Policy: NATO
SECR 7303: Comparative Cyber Policy: US Adversaries
SECR 7304: Cyber Intelligence and Theory
SECR 7305: Information Operations and Warfare
SECR 7308: The Psychology of Cyberspace
SECR 7309: Social Media Psychology and Propaganda Operations
Our Faculty
- Director of the Program
Patrick Walworth
- Program Manager
Dr. Valery Dzutsati
- Assistant Professor
- Assistant Professor
- Professor
Dr. Weeda Mehran
- Assistant Professor
Dr. Reyhan Topal
- Assistant Professor
Recent Publications
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& , Jun 17 2026, In: PloS one. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Ikpebe, E., , Osei-Kojo, A. & Peters, B. U., Jun 2026, In: Policy Sciences. 59, 2, p. 417-437 21 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, Jun 2026, In: Political Research Quarterly. 79, 2, p. 410-425 16 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Bakshi, B., Nalloor, R., & Vazdarjanova, A., Mar 2026, In: Psychiatry Research. 357, 116890. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Lu, K., Biglaiser, G. & , Feb 2026, In: Global Policy. 17, 1, p. 81-93 13 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, McCue, C. & Goldman, D., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Public Administration Review. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, 2026, Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies. Oxford University Press, (Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies). Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter |
, , Venette, S., Smith-Frigerio, S., Ellefsen, A. & Butauski, M., 2026, In: Communication Quarterly. 74, 3, p. 264-287 24 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Celestino, O. & , 2026, In: Journal of Information Warfare. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Melhem, A., & , 2026, Social Networks Analysis and Mining - 17th International Conference, ASONAM 2025, Proceedings. An, A., Cuzzocrea, A. & Hu, H. (eds.). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, p. 252-263 12 p. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; vol. 16322 LNCS). Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution |
, 2026, In: Policy Design and Practice. 9, 2, p. 244-251 8 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review |
, C. Reid, J., Brown, S. & Mims-Beliles, B., 2026, In: Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology. 12, 2 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Melhem, A., & , 2026, The 59th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), Proceedings. . Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution |
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, , Hunter, L., & , 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Administrative Theory and Praxis. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Godbolt, N., , & , 2026, In: Prism: The Journal of Complex Operations . Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
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, & Antilla, R., 2026, Handbook on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review |
Elder, L., Greene, S., Gulati, J. & , Dec 2025, In: Social Science Quarterly. 106, 7, e70108. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, McCue, C., Atkinson, C. L. & Prier, E., Nov 10 2025, In: Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management. 37, 5, p. 676-695 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, Jul 1 2025, In: World Affairs. 188, 3, WAF270019. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, & Boyle, K. M., Jun 2025, In: Social Currents. 13, 3, p. 156-171 16 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
& Bell, E., 2025, In: Public Administration Review. p. 1-16 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
& , 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Political Science Education. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Brown, M., Stewart, P. A. & , 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Psychological reports. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, Topping, K. & Hosny, Y., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Media, War and Conflict. 17506352251351579. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Tátrai, T., , McCue, C. & Prier, E., Jan 1 2025, In: European Procurement and Public Private Partnership Law Review. 20, 1, p. 6-7 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Pavlova, P. & , 2025, In: Cyber Defense Reivew. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
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, 2025, In: Politics and the Life Sciences. 44, 2, p. 142 1 p. Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review |
, , Mullaney, S. & Mays, M., 2024, In: Digital War. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Lofaro, R. J., , McCue, C. P. & Prier, E., Jun 1 2023, In: Public Finance and Management. 21, 2, p. 135-166 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, May 19 2023, In: Journal of European Integration. 45, 4, p. 613-632 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, , Rutland, J. & Hennigan, C., 2023, In: International Journal of Security Studies & Practice . Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, , Mullaney, S., Huitt, J. & Snider, L., 2023, In: Cyber Defense Reivew. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, 2023, In: International Journal of Security Studies & Practice . Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, , Garrett, E. & Rutland, J., 2022, In: Journal of Cyber Policy. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
McCue, C., & Prier, E., Jul 1 2021, In: European Journal of Public Procurement Markets. 1, 3, p. 81-97 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Prier, E., McCue, C. & , May 7 2021, In: Journal of Public Procurement. 21, 1, p. 1-18 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
, & Garrett, E., 2021, In: Cyber Defense Reivew. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
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In The News
AU and U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence expand partnership
Albert named higher education ambassador by Council on Foreign Relations
AU to launch new PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy