People considering a degree in homeland security often envision jobs in law enforcement, but the field encompasses much more than that. While criminal justice and law enforcement degrees provide adequate preparation for related fields, homeland security professionals face distinctive situations that often require specialized training. Federal agencies, like the DHS, typically hire candidates with bachelor’s degrees. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. The homeland security degree teaches students about national security, terrorism, emergency management, and corporation loss prevention. Online Homeland Security bachelor degree programs prepare the students for entry-level government jobs. The bachelor’s in homeland security degree is an interdisciplinary program that includes classes regarding Homeland Security, History of the US/Middle East/North Africa, Politics, plus Tulane’s required core competencies. Emergency management majors complete at least two co-op work projects and one experiential learning trip with Habitat for Humanity over winter break in freshman year. Some positions may require certifications or additional training. Students also must complete a criminal justice internship and capstone in their senior year. Most law enforcement positions offer career growth opportunities and competitive salaries. The program provides opportunities for research with faculty members and career development assistance through the university's academic and career services center. CriminalJusticeDegreeSchools.com is an advertising-supported site. Graduates with a homeland security degree enjoy access to a variety of career options in areas like law enforcement, public safety, and emergency management. Tuition for the police academy is included in the regular DSU spring tuition. If you are interested in a Bachelor’s degree in homeland security, contact Mississippi College today. Early Adopters of Online and Distance Education Continue to Innovate, What you need to know about FAFSA and Taxes. The program includes classes like the psychology of traumatic experiences, proposal writing and grant administration, and homeland security and terrorism. Courses in the Major; Homeland security majors can add a minor in corporate security operations or or emergency management and disaster resilience. The program offers a three-week summer study-abroad opportunity in the U.K. that explores security studies and history. Homeland Security Careers. If national security is your calling, a degree in homeland security is where you need to start. Schools may offer a stand-alone degree in homeland security or a concentration within a related field, such as criminal justice. Associate Degree in Homeland Security – Two Year Duration The Associate Degree in Homeland Security provides students with the foundational knowledge to continue their studies at the bachelor’s level or to work in entry-level positions in the field. A homeland security degree will provide you with an educational framework in which you will analyze the logistical aspects of the field as well as the theoretical foundations and processes involved in keeping our country safe from a variety of threats including terrorism, fraud, and disaster preparedness. Homeland security majors in their junior and senior years can complete an internship with a local law enforcement agency to gain real-world experience in the field. Analyze the evolution of homeland security, counterrorism, and security management with an online degree in homeland security. The program provides a comprehensive overview of the social, political, economic, and business contexts of emergency management. Locations may coincide with entry points to the U.S., and the work environment may include being outdoors for extended periods in all weather conditions. Students take classes like introduction to terrorism and homeland security, critical infrastructure protection, and introduction to state and local governments. LSSU participates in the Michigan Transfer Agreement, which enables students from Michigan community colleges to easily transfer to four-year programs at state universities. Individuals with an associate in human services from Mitchell Technical Institute can earn DWU's BA in criminal justice in two years. Degree programs may be available at the undergraduate or graduate level. A bachelor’s degree is the most common minimum requirement, but experience may allow candidates with less education to qualify. In their final semester, students complete a three-credit capstone in homeland security that integrates the knowledge and skills gained during the program. Required courses for the 120-credit bachelor's degree include international criminal justice, industrial and retail security, and terrorism and homeland security. The program gives students the opportunity to learn from and network with professionals from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The 120-credit bachelor of applied science includes general education and major requirements. Explore the best colleges with homeland security and disaster management degrees. Homeland Security Studies Degree Requirements. Many faculty members hold extensive experience protecting the U.S. and confronting global terrorism. But graduates with a homeland security degree are also primed for careers outside of the federal government. Most employers require candidates to complete an academy training program after graduating from high school or college. They may work as contract employees from a home office, take temporary assignments at remote locations, or serve in an office setting. Emergency management directors oversee the response to an emergency and help ensure communities prepare for possible emergencies. Do I Have to Choose a Career That Fits My Major? The 120-credit bachelor's degree provides a solid foundation in the theory and practice of homeland security and prepares graduates for diverse careers in the criminal justice field. They devise plans and procedures to follow during times of crisis, such as natural disasters. Homeland security professionals can hold degrees at various levels, including associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Home > Topics > Homeland Security Careers. Potential homeland security bachelor’s degrees include: Graduates with a master’s degree in homeland security can pursue leadership positions in the field. Future emergency managers can pursue an accredited bachelor of science in emergency management from the emergency services department at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. Potential careers include critical infrastructure protection, emergency management, and law enforcement at the local, state, and federal levels. EKU's multidisciplinary homeland security bachelor of science includes specializations in intelligence studies, disaster management, and security operations/management. Associate Degree in Homeland Security. All first-year students must live on campus for the first two years of the program. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA and relevant experience and career interests. According to BLS data, police and detective jobs are projected to grow 5% between 2018-2028, a rate comparable to the average for all occupations. While the majority of these jobs are in local, state, and federal government, students often find that a bachelor's degree in homeland security offers additional opportunities with private companies and nonprofits. Legal training prepares graduates for a variety of in-demand careers. Beginning college can be overwhelming, even for learners who have taken college-level classes in the past. The program explores issues like data security, national security intelligence, global climate change, and community resilience. LSSU makes admission decisions after evaluating high school diploma or GED transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and the applicant's high school course curriculum. Many law careers pay above-average salaries and report strong job growth. Homeland security majors can also add up to two minors in areas like cybersecurity or international relations. The BS in homeland security degree from the University of New Hampshire at Manchester explores topics such as data breaches, bioterrorism, and natural disasters. Candidates for this credential must be current students or graduates of an accredited university and pass the Homeland Protection Associate test. Criminal justice is the comprehensive study of law enforcement and public safety. While the BLS reports these professionals earned a median annual salary of $39,850 in 2019, administrative assistants working in government earned $43,900. Who Can Apply: This award recognizes law enforcement students who plan to pursue graduate school in international relations or intelligence. A private, nonprofit institution with 3,000 on-campus learners and more than 90,000 online students, SNHU in Manchester, New Hampshire, offers one of the best homeland security degrees. A Christian liberal arts college established in 1866, Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York, offers a homeland security degree that prepares students for careers using data and intelligence to anticipate and prevent terrorism and other crime. The curriculum also includes general education classes that help students gain skills in writing, problem-solving, and analysis. Advanced homeland security degrees, such as master’s degrees, typically grant access to more opportunities and more financially rewarding careers than undergraduate degrees. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all upper-division major classes to graduate. Future homeland security professionals can earn a BS in criminal justice - intelligence and national security from the school of arts and sciences at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Eastern Kentucky University is a recognized leader in intelligence and security programming, offering some of the finest homeland security degree and certificate options in the nation. These careers often do not require a bachelor’s degree to enter. Finally, homeland security involves preparing for emergencies, such as severe storms, pandemics, or recovery following a terrorist act. Students gain analytical, communication, policy analysis, research, and evaluation skills. Students specializing in this field learn about issues related to intelligence, counterterrorism and emergency management. Some internships offer a stipend to defray living expenses. The curriculum varies by school and concentration. Some schools offer discounts for individuals who serve as first responders. While criminal justice and law enforcement degrees provide adequate preparation for related fields, homeland security professionals face distinctive situations that often require specialized training. The following list outlines several potential jobs for graduates with a homeland security degree. Recruits attend the border patrol training facility for about 20 weeks of paid training before they receive their first assignment. The current median salary for a Federal Law Enforcement Training Advisor/Instructor is approximately $100,000 per year. This article elaborates on what schools offer homeland security programs as well as what sorts of jobs you can do with a degree in homeland security. Local law enforcement agencies, protective services companies, and private security firms all prize graduates with a homeland security-related degree. Applicants must hold a high school or GED diploma to qualify for admission. OU does not require letters of recommendation. Minors are available in business, information sciences and technology, or entrepreneurship and innovation. You can spend many years getting as high as a research / scholarship based doctorate's in homeland security to something that takes less time like a associate's. Applicants need a high school or GED diploma and must submit SAT or ACT scores. An internship’s length may range from a few weeks during the summer to a year. Those with a homeland security degree primarily seek positions related to cybersecurity, law enforcement, and emergency management. Graduates also pursue further education in law enforcement, government, policy planning, law, or international affairs. Law enforcement careers include work as border patrol agents, air marshals, and investigators. To graduate, students must hold an overall 2.0 GPA and a minimum 2.3 GPA in the major. Some law school career paths include high-paying roles like […]. As of May 2018, there were about 24,290 paralegals employed in Texas, with the Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas among the top ten metros with…, Border patrol agents (BPAs) are law enforcement officers who enforce federal laws when people or goods travel into the United States. Local law enforcement agencies, protective services companies, and private security firms all prize graduates with a homeland security-related degree. The largest school in the Florida college system, Miami Dade College serves more than 165,000 students each year and offers more than 300 programs of study. Keiser students can earn an online bachelor's degree in homeland security with a focus on managerial skills. Homeland Security. Madonna prefers applicants with a minimum 2.8 GPA, an SAT total score of at least 960, and ACT composite score of 18 or above. With a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security, you can work for local law enforcement agencies, the federal government, as well as private companies and non-profit organizations. They may work in areas like transportation security, intelligence, immigration, or emergency management. Herzing College – Homeland Security and Public Safety Bachelor of Science; Immaculata University – Bachelor of Arts in Emergency Planning and Management; Indiana Tech – BS in Cyber Security; John Jay College, City University of New York – BS in Security Management; MacMurray College – Bachelor or Minor Degree in Homeland Security One of only three of its kind in the U.S., the program prepares students for entry-level work in homeland security. The BLS projects jobs for detectives and investigators will grow 8% between 2018 and 2028. Applicants without experience may need a bachelor’s degree. The number of schools, both online and brick-and-mortar, offering homeland security degrees is rising. The degree also provides a suitable foundation for graduate study in emergency management and related fields. MDC offers one of the best homeland security degrees: a workforce-driven BAS in public safety management with an emergency management track. The practical hands-on degree prepares students to coordinate large-scale security and safety systems and protect communities. These professionals earned an annual median salary of $50,510 in 2019. Additionally, states staff homeland security employees, and many corporations and nonprofit organizations support their functions to protect communities. Graduation requirements include a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher, a minimum 2.0 GPA in the major, and completion of at least 24 upper-division major credits. Required core classes include professional skills in homeland security, exercise design and evaluation in homeland security, a homeland security capstone, and intelligence systems and structures in homeland security. BLS also features homeland security careers and related fields. What Is a Homeland Security Degree? Graduates qualify for entry-level positions in the homeland security and emergency services field. Students can also use their free elective credits to complete both concentrations. Most positions require a bachelor’s degree at minimum. Private security companies also hire law enforcement personnel for a variety of tasks. Graduates pursue diverse careers at the local, state, and federal levels protecting the public. Homeland security students benefit from practical experience creating projects for real clients and access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. The 128-credit bachelor's includes classes like fundamentals of corporate security, political violence and terrorism, and homeland security law and policy. Homeland security students and professionals can earn the certified homeland protection associate credential. https://www.gradschoolhub.com/affordable/online/doctorate/homeland-security Recent high school graduates should take the ACT or SAT test for college admissions. Best Online Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, New York City Police Officer Requirements, Criminal Justice Capital Punishment Focus, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, Learn About Criminal Justice Master’s Degrees, Forensic Science Technician: Career Guide. Typical concentrations include counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and emergency management. Private investigators, IT professionals with homeland security training, and public safety officials are considered essential in the nation’s infrastructure. The school makes admission decisions based on high school GPA, ACT or SAT scores, personal statement, honors and AP classes taken, class rank, and extracurricular activities. Courses within the major may include risk communication, regulatory issues, law and ethics, and immigration law. Undergraduate students typically take foundational homeland security courses, while graduate students pursue specialized and advanced topics in the field. The program accepts students who already hold an associate degree (60 credits) and allows them to complete the bachelor of applied science in two years. Required core courses include organizational behavior and administration communication, public safety systems, and diversity and social vulnerability in public safety administration. Students gain critical thinking, communication, research, and analytical skills. Your bachelor’s degree in homeland security satisfies educational requirements for entry-level positions, but you may need advanced training and education for career advancement. Program completion times vary by school and student. Students learn to protect life and property by securing critical infrastructure, using security technologies, and responding to natural and human-caused disasters. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes seven agencies that provide regional accreditation to schools depending on where the school is located. They also look at the current state of the field and where it might lead. The 124-credit bachelor of science includes 60-64 major requirements and 60-64 liberal arts requirements. However, an associate degree typically takes two years to complete, a bachelor’s degree often takes four years to complete, and a master’s degree usually takes two years to complete. The curriculum explores topics like crisis management, government restructuring through disaster preparedness, and terrorism. Emergency management directors help coordinate relief efforts among various agencies, organizations, and volunteers. in Criminal Justice – Homeland Security Degree Program Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class … Homeland security majors often pursue minors in corporate security, cybersecurity, global studies, or terrorism studies. They work in areas of medicine, computer science, data analysis, and law. degree is ideal for federal, state, and local officials, and individuals in private industry looking for a background in homeland security topics Homeland security majors may also complete internships with organizations like the American Red Cross, the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, or New York Port Authority. What kind of jobs can you get with a homeland security degree? Examples of career opportunities include police and detectives, who earned an annual median salary of $65,170 in 2019, according to the BLS. Air marshal candidates typically need law enforcement or military training and experience. Graduates may pursue entry-level positions, training academies in law enforcement, or a more advanced degree program. Students learn to effectively communicate with diverse cultures. Professionals in the criminal justice and law field interpret and enforce the law. The program offers internship, workshop, and experimental course opportunities that provide hands-on professional experience in the real world. Associate degrees in homeland security typically require 60 credits and two years of full-time study. Homeland security is a very prestigious field and having the proper credentials, like a degree from an esteemed college, can make all the difference in finding a job. Students with a specific career goal should seek out programs that offer training in their desired focus through electives or specializations. Homeland security degree holders can potentially work in the following areas: Border security — Stopping potential threats from passing through United States borders. Homeland Security Degree Online Overview. The four-year curriculum explores issues like infrastructure protection, tools for fighting terrorism, emergency plan creation, and intelligence analysis. The 128-credit bachelor's requires an overall 2.0 GPA in major courses. This training can help professionals understand the motivations behind these events, the protective measures necessary to prevent them, and the trauma responses required to recover from them. Applicants usually need a high school diploma or GED. Our employees play a vital role to secure our country and preserve our freedoms. The BLS projects jobs for these analysts to grow 32% between 2018 and 2028. 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