The Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security is all-risk and whole community focused. It equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the homeland security enterprise as well as the broad field of civil security. Students develop highly marketable skills, including to perform risk analyses, write emergency management and continuity of operations plans, design and evaluate exercises, design and perform physical security evaluations, design and deliver professional briefings, and understand how to identify and protect critical infrastructure.
In addition, the program is ideal preparation for further study in graduate school, including law, public policy, or emergency management, intelligence analysis, business, criminal justice, political science, national security studies, international affairs, and other related fields.
The Worldwide & Online Campus is especially suited for working students, those balancing other priorities or students who want to reduce costs while continuing to live at home.
Students can customize the online Homeland Security degree by choosing either two non-duplicating minors or one minor and a coherent block of study from transferred military credits, FAA licenses or approved college credits. The following examples are non-exhaustive, and several additional minors are available. Options include the following minors:
Criminal Justice
Crisis, Risk and Resilience Communication
Cybersecurity Application and Management minor
Emergency Services
International Relations
Military Science
Security and Intelligence
Students also earn the FEMA Emergency Management Institute Professional Development Series (PDS) certificate as part of the program.
The program is the first BS in Homeland Security program in the nation accredited by The Council for the Accreditation of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Education (CAEMHSE).
Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
Interpret the legal and policy structure of the homeland security and intelligence enterprise.
Evaluate emergency management policies and strategies, including emergent threats.
Analyze terrorism, its origins, ideologies, and goals.
Assess U.S. critical infrastructures using risk-based methodologies and resiliency concepts.
Apply risk management and analysis principles to homeland security and intelligence issues.
Compare concepts of human and environmental security as applied to homeland and intelligence.
Analyze elements of strategic planning and decision making.
Engage in all phases of the intelligence cycle, including techniques, strategies, and counter-intelligence concepts.
Identify information security threats, cybersecurity challenges, and countermeasures.
Worldwide Program Requirements
General Education Requirements
36
Core Requirements
45
Program Support
9
Breadth Area/Minors
Total Credits
120
Program Details
The Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students enrolled in the Worldwide Undergraduate Online program may complete the degree in 20 terms, or approximately four years, assuming full-time enrollment and continuous progress. Students pursuing this undergraduate degree must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.00 for all work completed at the University. The courses required to earn this degree are listed below.
Students should be aware that many courses have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Students are responsible for ensuring that all prerequisite and degree requirements are satisfied prior to enrollment in advanced coursework. The suggested plan of study is provided as a guide. A student's actual plan of study may vary based on term of admission, course availability, transfer credit, and other academic considerations. Students should consult with their academic advisor to develop an individualized plan of study.
Students must complete the program breadth requirement by completing either two non-duplicating minors or one approved minor and a coherent block of study consisting of transferred military credit, FAA licenses, or other approved college credit, with approval from the Program Coordinator. Students in this program are not required to complete RSCH 202 as a prerequisite for Homeland Security core, program support, or minor courses.
