Discover the Top Online Homeland Security Degree Programs
Safeguarding the nation against foreign threats starts with the right knowledge and training — the kind you’ll gain with an online homeland security degree. This guide is designed to provide you with the best programs available, as well as a look at various degree options and learning outcomes.
Online homeland security degrees can unlock opportunities in a variety of disciplines and professions, from police officers and emergency management directors to intelligence analysts and cybersecurity specialists. Homeland security professionals play a crucial role in ensuring that the nation and its citizens are safe and secure against terrorism and other internal and external threats.
Online degree programs give students the flexibility to advance their education on their time and from any location, making it a smart choice for parents, working professionals, and others with busy schedules. Before you can get started, it’s important to understand what homeland security degrees are available online, how these remote programs work, and which degree aligns with your desired career. Let’s start by exploring the available homeland security degrees for online students.
Homeland Security Programs Online: 6 Options to Consider
There are six main homeland security postsecondary education options available online: associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and undergraduate and graduate certificates. Each is designed to meet specific education and career goal needs. Learn more about each option below.
| Program | Credit Hours | Normal Time to Complete | Online Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate in Homeland Security | 9-18 | Full-time: 6 months to 1 year Part-time: 1 to 2 years | Programs are readily available online and most are offered in a fully-online format. |
| Associate Degree in Homeland Security | 60-64 | Full-time: 2 years Part-time: 3 years | Most programs are offered 100% online, but some may include courses in a hybrid format. |
| Bachelor’s Degree in Homeland Security | 120-124 | Full-time: 4 years Part-time: 5 to 6 years | Most programs are offered 100% online, although some include courses in a hybrid format. |
| Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security | 9-18 | Full-time: 6 months to 1 year Part-time: 1 to 2 years | Most programs are offered in a fully-online format. |
| Master’s Degree in Homeland Security | 30-36 | Full-time: 2 years Part-time: 3 to 4 years | Most programs feature fully-online coursework, although some include hybrid-format classes and/or in-person internship or practicum components. |
| Doctorate Degree in Homeland Security | 40-60 | Full-time: 2 to 5 years Part-Time: Up to 7 or 8 years | Didactic coursework typically offered entirely online. Programs may include in-person components (on-campus residencies, dissertation defense, etc.) |
Online Associate Degrees in Homeland Security
An associate degree in homeland security provides students with foundational knowledge about terrorism, emergency management, and manmade and natural disasters, as well as emergency response and risk management skills. This online degree is primarily geared toward students seeking entry-level positions in homeland security, law enforcement, emergency management, and closely-related public service positions, as well as working professionals interested in adding major-specific proficiencies to enhance their job-growth potential. They’re also a popular option for budget-conscious students intending to continue their studies to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Online homeland security associate degrees are offered by two-year community and vocational colleges, and some four-year colleges and universities. Degree titles include:
Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Homeland Security
Homeland security bachelor’s degrees offer a comprehensive review of the entire homeland security field for both students first entering the homeland security profession and working professionals seeking to advance their careers. Curriculums include general education coursework along with foundational courses in criminal justice, public safety, and emergency management, and homeland security-specific courses in terrorism, intelligence gathering, border security, and more.
Online bachelor’s degree programs in homeland security are offered by both public and private four-year colleges and universities. Degree titles available include:
Online Undergraduate Certificates in Homeland Security
Undergraduate certificates in homeland security teach students basic concepts and common issues surrounding major national security threats. These certificate programs are geared primarily for current law enforcement and public service undergraduate students and bachelor’s degree holders interested in adding to their knowledge base to expand their career opportunities.
Online homeland security undergraduate certificate programs are offered by four-year colleges and universities, as well as a small number of two-year community colleges. Some programs require only a high school diploma for admission, while others require a previously-earned bachelor degree or current enrollment in a bachelor’s degree program. Titles for online undergraduate homeland security certificates include:
Online Master’s Degrees in Homeland Security
Master’s degree programs in homeland security feature coursework often focused on specialized areas within the homeland security field. Online programs are geared toward working professionals with several years of experience intent on advancing their careers into leadership positions in homeland security, emergency management, law enforcement, and criminal justice.
Programs may include a capstone project (such as a practicum or internship) requiring in-person participation, often at the student’s current place of employment or a homeland security agency in the student’s local area. Degree titles include:
Learn more about homeland security master’s degrees and browse the best programs at our online master’s degrees in homeland security webpage.
Doctoral Degrees in Homeland Security Available Online
Online doctoral degrees in homeland security are designed to qualify graduates for mid- and high-level leadership positions with homeland security and other government agencies, as well as nongovernmental organizations, and public and private security firms. They also prepare graduates for advanced research and teaching positions in postsecondary academic settings.
In-person components (on-campus residencies, dissertation defense, participation with a non-profit agency in the student’s local area) may be included. Examples of degree titles include:
Online Graduate Certificate Programs in Homeland Security
Graduate-level homeland security certificates provide advanced knowledge on advanced homeland security strategies and issue to current professionals working in law enforcement, as well as non-law enforcement personnel in security-related fields like cybersecurity, defense contracting, emergency management, and engineering. Online homeland security graduate certificates are ideal for working professionals without the time or career need to earn a full master’s degree.
Online homeland security graduate certificate programs are typically offered by colleges and universities, both public and private. Admission requirements vary by program but are in most cases open to applicants with at least a bachelor’s degree. Online graduate certificates can currently be found with titles such as:
Degree Rundown: Online Bachelor’s in Homeland Security
Online bachelor’s in homeland security degree programs are very popular with students and employers alike. A homeland security bachelor’s degree opens the door to quality jobs throughout the homeland security, law enforcement, and public service fields. And the convenience and flexibility of online study allow working professionals to more easily fit a degree program into their busy lives. Below, we take a detailed look at what makes up an online bachelor’s degree in homeland security program.
Topics Covered in a Homeland Security Bachelor’s Program
Homeland security bachelor’s degree programs are designed to cover a broad range of important subjects, including:
5 Key Skills Learned in Homeland Security Bachelor’s Programs
1
Working knowledge of historical and current homeland security theories, concepts, and issues.
2
Ability to differentiate between the various natural, homemade, and technological threats to homeland security.
3
An understanding of constitutional, civil liberty, and ethical issues associated with homeland security and intelligence operations.
4
How to apply research-based assessment practices to data analysis of homeland security systems and situations.
5
Critical thinking, decision-making, communication, leadership, and teamwork skills as they apply to the homeland security profession.
Core Online Curriculum in Homeland Security Bachelor’s Programs
The curriculum of a homeland security bachelor’s degree program is made up of three basic course types: general education courses, core homeland security courses, and major-related electives. Common courses you’ll find in homeland security bachelor’s degree programs include:
Domestic Terrorism
This course provides a comprehensive review of the causes and results of activities of politically-motivated terrorists in the United States. Current extremist groups are identified and their ideologies and tactics examined leading to the development of effective counterterrorism strategies.
Homeland Security Law and Policy
This course provides a basic look at the fundamental legal, political, and ethical considerations taken into account when creating homeland security policies. Specific legal topics covered include national security law (including the Patriot Act) and international agreements, and the constitutional rights of individuals.
Homeland Security Response to Critical Incidents
Through a discussion and analysis of the relevant logistical, political, legal, and funding considerations, students in this course are taught how to best respond to security-critical incidents such as terrorist attacks and active shooter events.
Industrial Security
A review of security and emergency planning in factories, schools, hospitals, airports, and other industrial and aviation settings. Students learn to develop and evaluate security programs for specific industries in order to better identify and correct security gaps.
Intelligence Process
This course examines issues of national defense and homeland security as they relate to the U.S. intelligence community as a whole. A wide range of topics is covered, including the collection and sharing of information and data between international, federal, state, and local intelligence agencies.
Strategic Planning in Homeland Security
An investigation and analysis of strategic planning strategies for public and private domestic security operations. Students learn to evaluate organizational and financial policies, and create planning documents, as well as develop techniques for strategic communications. Included is a review of relevant historical events such as the Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis.
Common Admissions Requirements for Homeland Security Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Specific admissions criteria for homeland security bachelor’s degree programs vary from school to school and program to program. However, applicants to most programs should expect to meet the following requirements:
Tuition Costs for Online Bachelor’s Programs in Homeland Security
Paying for any online homeland security degree program is a major undertaking. But the differences in total costs between programs can be surprisingly substantial. The chart below is representative of the varying tuition amounts charged by different schools for their online homeland security bachelor’s degree programs, as of the summer of 2019. It’s important to remember that these figures represent tuition costs only, and total program costs will likely include additional fees.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Total Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson University | 122 | $425 | $51,850 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | 120 | $434 / $250 (active military and spouses) | $52,080 / $30,000 (active military and spouses) |
| Southern New Hampshire University | 120 | $320 | $39,600 |
| Thomas Edison State University | 120 | $410 (in-state) / $545 (out-of-state) | $49,200 (in-state) / $65,400 (out-of-state) |
| Tiffin University | 121 | $525 | $63,525 |
For more tips and advice for paying for your online education, check out our comprehensive financial aid and scholarship guides.
Accreditation for Online Homeland Security Degree Programs
Accreditation is how colleges – and their degree programs – are determined to meet specific minimum standards of academic quality. To earn accreditation, schools must apply to the nongovernmental agencies that administer accreditation and then submit proof of meeting or exceeding the accreditation standards set by those agencies.
There are two basic types of accreditation for postsecondary education: programmatic and institutional. Currently, there are no agencies in the U.S. that specifically accredit homeland security degree programs. There are, however, many agencies that accredit the schools that offer homeland security degrees. Institutional accreditation is administered by several regional agencies, as well as national organizations such as the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
Prospective students should confirm proper accreditation for any school they are considering, including institutional accreditation by one or more agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). Students can easily find if a school holds institutional accreditation by going to the DOE’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
Best Online Homeland Security Degree Programs
Now that you understand the online degree options for homeland security, you’re ready to conduct additional research and choose a program. A good place to start is with our list of the best online homeland security degrees below. These school rankings were created using several important factors, including proper accreditation and online program availability. Another weighted factor was the school’s affordability, determined by costs and the percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself. For more information, click “About the Rankings.”
Helpful Links for Prospective Homeland Security Students
The links below provide an excellent starting point for anyone seeking to learn more about online degree programs and careers in the homeland security field:
FEMA.gov
Official website of the Department of Homeland Security.
Global Society of Homeland and National Security Professionals (GSHNSP)
International organization of public and private homeland and national security professionals that offers homeland security professional certifications
National Emergency Management Association (NEMA)
Professional association of emergency management directors throughout the U.S.
National Security Agency
NSA’s official site with comprehensive information on jobs and careers with the agency.
U.S. Department of Education – Federal Student Aid
Government website with comprehensive information on federal student loans, grants, and scholarships, and access to the FAFSA form.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Careers
Information on Department of Homeland Security jobs and more, including a page specifically for homeland security students.
U.S. Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics
Federal government website with comprehensive information and data on all occupations, as well as this guide to careers in homeland security.
