College degrees focused on strategic security.

Strategic security is the application of objective information to deter and prevent threats to executives and organizations in today’s complex world. NAU’s Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security programs are designed to provide graduates with advanced knowledge and skills in intelligence and threat management taught by experts with extensive field experience who combine academic precision with practical knowledge. Our curriculum spans a comprehensive range of threat detection, prevention, and deterrence strategies designed to prepare you for impactful careers in the security field, including government intelligence, private security, and federal agencies.

History

Henley-Putnam University (HPU) was founded in 2001 as the California University of Protection and Intelligence Management by former members of the CIA, U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and other U.S. intelligence agencies. In 2018, National American University acquired the assets of HPU and established the NAU Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security, continuing the legacy of elite training in intelligence and protection.

The school continues to draw inspiration from its namesakes, Colonel David Henley and General Israel Putnam, who served under General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. Henley’s role centered on organizing and analyzing raw data, while Putnam’s expertise lay in intelligence gathering through debriefing, interrogation, and active reconnaissance—essential skills that continue to shape today’s strategic security education.

Take charge of your future today. Explore one of our intensive programs:

Program List

Secure your future through education.

The need for professionals who can recognize and respond to threats is growing. NAU’s Henley-Putnam School offers Strategic Security programs where you’ll study the interaction of applied tradecrafts and ongoing behaviors to forestall reasonable or probable threats. Unlike traditional security or strategic studies programs that focus on political and military strategies to influence the spectrum of peace and conflict, HP’s strategic security programs apply objective information on the personal, local, and organizational developments that can deter and prevent conflict.??You will develop skills in strategy development, strategic analysis, and assessment for jobs such as a strategic advisor, security analyst, or security manager.

Acquire the knowledge you need to find the answers.

Intelligence management careers require an astute and open mind to gather results, interpret findings, and share them to effective positive change within an organization. In the NAU’s Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security’s Intelligence Management programs, you will learn to use concepts of intelligence gathering, analysis, and reporting. Our programs emphasize professionalism, proactive strategies, and a thorough understanding of the dynamics of the broad field of intelligence. You will develop skills in intelligence analysis, counterintelligence, collection management, and intelligence operations. With this comprehensive skillset, you could find employment in private, corporate, nonprofit, and governmental agencies, serving as a research analyst or intelligence specialist.

Secure your future through education.

The need for professionals who can recognize and respond to threats is growing. NAU’s Henley-Putnam School offers Strategic Security programs where you’ll study the interaction of applied tradecrafts and ongoing behaviors to forestall reasonable or probable threats. Unlike traditional security or strategic studies programs that focus on political and military strategies to influence the spectrum of peace and conflict, HP’s strategic security programs apply objective information on the personal, local, and organizational developments that can deter and prevent conflict.??You will develop skills in strategy development, strategic analysis, and assessment for jobs such as a strategic advisor, security analyst, or security manager.

Gain insights to shape a more secure future.

Understanding terrorism is key to developing effective responses. NAU’s Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security’s counterterrorism programs introduce you to the concepts of terrorism and counterterrorism strategies and techniques so you can build a defense to deter and prevent acts of violence. Your education will include counterterrorism research, threat management, and terrorist techniques while focusing on analytical rigor, contingency planning, and proactive security measures. Your instructors will emphasize the importance of understanding state-sponsored, political, social, economic, religious, and criminal extremism as well as terrorism history and counterterrorism policy throughout counterterrorism studies courses. These programs of study will provide the critical thinking, judgement, and cultural sensitivity skills to start you on the path to jobs such as counterterrorism analyst, antiterrorism specialist, or counterterrorism operations specialist.

Gain skills to become the first line of defense.

Advance your career in protection?management?at NAU’s Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security. Our specialized certificate and degree programs increase your knowledge of operations in?the?security industry. Learn the skills you need to protect your clients and their businesses assets, including property and data. By gaining an understanding of threat assessment, workplace violence, cyber security, corporate espionage, intelligence gathering and analysis?among other security issues you’ll be well-positioned for careers in private security, personal executive protection, corporate security, or corrections.

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Your NAU enrollment counselor is ready to help you build a success plan to get you where you want to go. We make applying, enrolling—and succeeding—here simple, whether you’re a first-time or a transfer student, active military or veteran, or a college graduate ready to earn your master’s or doctorate degree.