Global Security and Intelligence Studies Volume 4, Number 1, Spring/Summer 2019 | Page 12

Global Security and Intelligence Studies • Volume 4, Number 1 • Spring / Summer 2019 Forging Consensus? Approaches to Assessment in Intelligence Studies Programs Jonathan C. Smith 1 Abstract While the intelligence studies literature has given substantial attention to program learning objectives and pedagogy, there is not substantive exploration of assessment structures in these programs. This is significant, because in the absence of any centralized structure to define key learning objectives in the field, exploring assessment structures provides “ground truth” on what intelligence studies programs are actually trying to accomplish. By researching the experiences of eight programs, this study finds an eclectic mix of structures that appear to be driven more by the priorities of the institution in which they reside as they seek accreditation, versus the subject-matter discipline the program seeks to advance. To the extent that there is agreement on methods of assessment, it largely centers on the use of direct, qualitative approaches. Keywords: Accreditation, Higher Education, Intelligence Studies, Program Assessment ¿Crear un consenso? Enfoques de Evaluación en Programas de Estudios de Inteligencia Resumen Si bien la literatura de estudios de inteligencia ha prestado una atención sustancial a los objetivos del programa y pedagogía de aprendizaje, no hay una exploración sustancial de las estructuras de evaluación en estos programas. Esto es significativo, ya que en ausencia de una estructura centralizada para definir objetivos de aprendizaje clave en el campo, explorar las estructuras de evaluación proporciona una “verdad fundamental” sobre lo que los programas de estudios de inteligencia realmente están tratando de lograr. Al investigar las 1 Professor of Intelligence and National Security Studies, Coastal Carolina University, 1324 Links Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575, USA, [email protected]. 1 doi: 10.18278/gsis.4.1.2