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School of Security & Global Studies

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)

Online Graduate NanoCert® in Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)

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$0 Application Fee
0 Entrance Exams
0 Wait Time
Courses Start Monthly

About This Program

Examine collection; open-source intelligence; and deception, propaganda, and disinformation. This is a three-course program.

The courses in this NanoCert are designed to bring you closer to completion of the following degree and certificates: Counterintelligence Graduate Certificate; Intelligence Analysis Graduate Certificate; Intelligence Studies Graduate Certificate; MA Intelligence Studies-Capstone Option.

What You Will Do

  • Evaluate the implications of advances and modes in 21st century intelligence collection
  • Discern how intelligence collection priorities are established
  • Analyze the nature and functions of OSINT along with strengths and weaknesses, and the expanding role it plays
  • Demonstrate the use of psychological tools in informational/deceptive practices

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
9
Cost Per Credit
$470 | $250*
$399.50** | $423***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 5590

|
This course is a study of intelligence collection and information gathering, emphasizing how the United States and foreign nations gather and process intelligence. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the role that intelligence collection plays in the broader intelligence community, how policies influence collection activities, and how different intelligence agencies monitor and collect information. The course explores major collection disciplines used across the national intelligence cycle, including human intelligence, signals intelligence, imagery intelligence, and open source intelligence, helping students understand how these capabilities support analysis and inform national decision-making.

Course ID: 5591

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This course provides an intensive introduction to open source intelligence and its related disciplines. Students will examine the definition, nature, and development of open source intelligence (OSINT), including its policy considerations, management practices, and current trends within the intelligence community. Emphasis is placed on understanding how publicly available data and data collection methods contribute to producing actionable intelligence that supports national security objectives. The course also surveys OSINT-focused organizations, challenges, reform efforts, and future prospects, preparing students to evaluate information collected from diverse sources and apply foundational OSINT techniques in professional intelligence environments.

Course ID: 3967

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This course provides an overview of deceptive techniques –how they work and how they can be defeated. It begins by building an understanding of fundamental psychological principles and practices and then taking a look at key information practices. From there, it will look at how some of these practices developed from WWI to the present. Throughout the course, students will be exposed to and will analyze the use of deception and other persuasion techniques in various contexts. These deceptive techniques are illustrated with a series of historical and current case studies, scenarios, and interactive simulations.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jul 6
Register by Jul 3
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Admission Requirements

  • All APU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA®) or its international equivalent. If you have a non-U.S. transcript, please view our International Admissions page for more information.
  • Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation including a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or official JST or CCAF transcript (military students).
  • There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

CHEA® is a registered trademark of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

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Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.