Augusta University has been authorized by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to launch a groundbreaking doctoral program focused on national security. The new PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy—referred to by the University as its PhD in national defense—marks the first doctoral degree offered by the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
The program is designed to give students a comprehensive foundation in security studies, combining advanced research training with coursework in intelligence analysis, cybersecurity strategy, and traditional defense policy. Required coursework will emphasize research methods, intelligence studies, strategic cyber policy, and broader national and international security frameworks.
Pamplin College Dean Dr. Kim Davies said the new doctorate builds naturally on Augusta University’s existing Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies. She credited Dr. Craig Albert and the faculty team with developing a rigorous and forward-looking curriculum that addresses the evolving challenges facing U.S. national security.
Unlike technical degrees that focus on computer science or programming, the PhD centers on policy, strategy, and analysis. It is structured as a professional doctorate intended for individuals already working—or seeking to work—in national defense, government agencies, academia, or research institutions connected to the defense community. The curriculum integrates theory and practical application to strengthen both strategic thinking and operational insight.
To accommodate working professionals, the program will be delivered through a hybrid format. Courses will be primarily synchronous online, supplemented by some asynchronous options, allowing students across the country to participate without relocating. This model makes the degree accessible to personnel stationed at Department of Defense facilities, federal agencies, and military bases nationwide.
According to Dr. Craig Albert, who will direct the new program, the doctorate fills a significant gap in national defense education. He described it as a modern reinvention of security studies, covering topics that range from intelligence forecasting and disinformation campaigns to terrorism, counterterrorism, theories of warfare, cyber intelligence, and policy analysis. Students will also gain exposure to data analytics and research methodologies relevant to intelligence work.
As national security threats continue to evolve—spanning cyber conflict, influence operations, great power competition, and emerging intelligence fields such as medical and social media analysis—the program aims to prepare graduates to contribute meaningfully to the defense of U.S. interests at home and abroad.
Current and former students have already expressed enthusiasm for the new offering. Grayson LaHatte, a graduate of AU’s intelligence and security studies master’s program and an employee of the Department of Defense, said the PhD will allow professionals like him to deepen their expertise while directly supporting national security missions.
Labor market data underscores the demand for advanced training in this field. The Jobs EQ Education Report estimates that Georgia alone has approximately 36,000 positions related to intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, and national security—numbers that continue to grow as threats become more complex.
Georgia’s role in the intelligence and defense landscape further strengthens the program’s relevance. The state is home to multiple federal agencies and 13 Department of Defense installations, including Fort Eisenhower, which houses U.S. Army Cyber Command and offices of the National Security Agency and Central Security Service, as well as Fort Moore, a major center for military training and doctrine.
Albert said Augusta University is well positioned to become a global academic leader in intelligence and security education. With an established master’s program and the addition of this doctoral degree, the University aims to serve as a central hub for training the next generation of intelligence and defense professionals.
By combining policy-focused scholarship, real-world application, and flexible delivery, Augusta University’s new PhD in Intelligence, Defense, and Cybersecurity Policy is set to play a significant role in shaping the future of national defense education.
