Homeland Security Degree
A homeland security degree can help individuals qualify for a wide range of positions at the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies and aid in protecting the United States from the growing threat of global terrorism. Homeland security degree programs are available at numerous college campuses across the United States and also through online universities.
Homeland Security Training
Students learn about the Department of Homeland Security, its history and purpose, how to identify domestic and international threats and neutralize those threats, and how to perform homeland security investigations. In addition, students will learn the managerial skills necessary to lead teams and departments in identifying and neutralizing threats to the United States security.
Homeland Security Courses
Homeland security degree programs at universities and colleges aim to provide students with a strong foundation of knowledge and analytical skills to enter a career in homeland security. Students gain an understanding of the modern challenges of transnational security, terror groups, and cyberwarfare.
Here is a sample of courses in homeland security that are offered through degree programs:
- Introduction to Terrorism
- Introduction to Homeland Security
- Concepts of Terrorism
- Psychology of Terrorism
- The Politics of Terrorism
- Root Causes of Terrorism
- Covert Action & Intelligence
- Homeland Security Fundamentals
- Homeland Security and the Legal System
- Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs
- Homeland Security and Defense in Practice
- Border Security
- Public Health Evaluation of Disasters and Bioterrorism
- Critical Infrastructure Protection
- National Security and Intelligence
- Emergency Organizations and Management
- Risk and Vulnerability Assessment
- Constitutional Issues and Global Security
- Network Security and Cyberterrorism
- Domestic Terrorism Prevention and Analysis
- Transnational Organized Crime and Covert Operations
- Weapons of Mass Destruction
- Technology Solutions for Homeland Security
- Ideology, Discourse and Conflict
- International Security and Trade
- Open-Source Intelligence
Homeland Security Degree Requirements
Many federal jobs in homeland security require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. There are a number of certificate, associate’s, and bachelor’s degree programs in homeland security available. Admission requirements for most include a high school diploma or GED and an understanding of the criminal justice system.
Should you get a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Homeland Security?
There are many colleges that offer both bachelor’s and master’s programs in homeland security. A bachelor’s degree can help job candidates meet the minimum requirement of a four-year degree for many federal jobs. A master’s degree can help individuals advance in their field by acquiring advanced knowledge in the field of homeland security. Research the common education level of the position that you would like to get by visiting the DHS website, USA Jobs, or talking to people who are currently in that position.
Homeland Security Degree Program Profiles
San Diego State University (California)
San Diego State University offers a Master of Science in Homeland Security degree, which was the first degree of its kind to be offered in the US. The academically challenging curriculum combines scholarship, academics, and research in the study of real-world situations. Many of the program faculty work professionally in homeland security and have other experience working at high levels in law enforcement. The program also has close partnerships with government agencies, private companies, and non-governmental organizations. The curriculum includes courses on emergency preparation and response, intelligence, international security, and ideology and conflict. Admitted students may elect to undertake a semester of studying abroad in Mexico for a border security thesis and practicum. Program graduates are prepared to become leaders in preventing, defending, and responding to homeland security incidents in public, private, and non-profit spaces in a variety of homeland security-related industries.
Penn State University (Pennsylvania)
Penn State awards a Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security that prepares graduates to work in leadership positions in the private and public sectors. This master’s program takes 33 credit hours to complete, with the entire program taking place online. The core curriculum is formed around courses in homeland security administration, social and ethical issues, and domestic and global violence, threats, terror, and insurgency. A capstone research project is also included in the curriculum. Students can choose from five specializations in general homeland security, public health preparedness, geospatial intelligence, information security and forensics, or agricultural biosecurity and food defense. Students may also choose to pursue additional graduate certificates in homeland security and defense from Penn State to compliment or supplement the master’s degree.
Tulane University (Louisiana)
Tulane University offers a Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security degree program that emphasizes practical, applied learning. The core curriculum of the program consists of four 600-level courses: Health and Medical Issues in Emergency Management; Intelligence Analysis/Critical Thinking; Homeland Security and Approaches to Counter-Terrorism; and Maritime and Border Security. Students take six additional master’s courses beyond the core curriculum to complete the degree, choosing from approved courses in homeland security, public health, social work, politics, and related disciplines. The tailored curriculum allows students to develop individualized plans of study that compliment personal and career goals. The academically rigorous program typically requires students to maintain a 3.0 GPA across all graduate courses for graduation eligibility. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree from diverse disciplines are welcomed to apply to the program.
Homeland Security Resources
Online Homeland Security Degrees and Featured Criminal Justice Schools
- M.S.in Criminal Justice - Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace
- Master of Public Administration - Homeland Security Policy and Coordination
- M.S. in Criminal Justice Leadership & Executive Management - Homeland Security Policy
American InterContinental University Online
- Bachelor's - Homeland Security and Crisis Management
Colorado Technical University Online
- Masters of Science in Management in Homeland Security
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Human Services
- BS - Homeland Security
- MS - Criminal Justice
- PhD - Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice, AA (Online)
- Criminal Justice, BA (Online)
- Homeland Security, BA (Online)
- B.S. in Human Services / Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
- B.S. in Criminal Justice
Keiser University Graduate School
- Criminal Justice, MA (Online)
What Can I Do With A Degree in Homeland Security?
There are a wide range of career opportunities in the DHS for individuals who want to serve and protect their country including positions in mission support, law enforcement, and cybersecurity. There are many different career opportunities in all of the DHS components including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the US Secret Service, FEMA, and Customs and Border Protection. In addition to federal jobs, the DHS also employs a large number of contractors for various roles.
Some examples of job titles in homeland security include:
- Asylum Officer
- Border Patrol Agent
- Counterterrorism Enforcement Agent
- Criminal Investigator
- Emergency Preparedness Specialist
- Emergency Management Director
- Import Specialist
- Intelligence Analyst
- Intelligence Research Specialist
- Mission Support Assistant
- Staff Assistant
- Transportation Security Officer
- Transportation Security Screener
Page Edited by Charles Sipe.