Top Online PhDs and Doctorates in Homeland Security for 2024

You: a problem-solving leader with an analytical mind and a strong sense of duty. You’re interested in keeping our country safe, diving into intelligence briefings to gather clues, and exploring new ways to enhance security.

If this describes you to a T (or at least comes close), colleges and universities want you! Specifically, they’re poised to offer you an online PhD or doctorate in homeland security, especially if you’ve already earned a master’s degree or are pursuing your undergraduate degree with an eye toward future education.

You’ll be well compensated in some of the most desirable roles these degrees prepare you to fill: For example, the highest echelons of risk management for the U.S. government will pay up to $156,000 annually, while a chief of staff role for a major global counterterrorism employer ranges from $231,495 – $339,672 annually.

If you’re intrigued, follow the clues to your future career below — no risk here. You’ll discover top programs, learn if a PhD or doctorate sounds better to you, and get answers to other pressing questions.

Spotlight on Top PhD Programs in Homeland Security

As we begin our exploration of terminal degrees in this meaningful and important field, we’ll begin by presenting two exceptional online PhD programs in homeland security. The reason we’re highlighting these programs: Both can be completed 100% online, meaning they’re designed for students with busy lives who don’t want to relocate to attend class.

Both programs also have learning outcomes that fulfill requirements for many high-ranking public and private roles in fields like cybersecurity, risk management, and counterterrorism. Review these options below, then conduct your own research to find other schools with an online PhD in homeland security to determine the best fit for you.

PhD vs Doctorate in Homeland Security: Similarities and Differences

As you consider an online PhD or doctorate in Homeland Security, your first question is likely the most important: Which degree option — PhD or doctorate — is the best choice? While both are doctoral degrees that encourage creative and strategic learning as the highest form of graduate education you can receive in this field, fundamental differences exist between the two.

As noted above, PhD translates to Doctor of Philosophy, and this is often considered a more traditional doctoral degree. “Philosophy” in its name hints at the biggest driving force behind the online PhD in homeland security: It’s slightly less practical or hands-on in its application and is often considered a popular vehicle for becoming an academic professor or researcher.

Keiser University Graduate School confirms this point of distinction, suggesting “those who obtain PhDs in criminal justice most often go on to teach at the college or university level, though this is not always the case. Graduates may also proceed to work as researchers for government agencies, such as the DHS or FBI.”

On the other hand, a terminal degree option that has become increasingly attractive for students who want top field leadership roles is the online doctorate in homeland security. Most often named a Doctor of Criminal Justice, this degree prepares future leaders who want a direct role in policymaking or fieldwork.

Some schools offer both a PhD and a doctorate option. Liberty University addresses the main differentiator between these programs noting “the curriculum in our Doctor of Criminal Justice closely mirrors that of our PhD program; however, the PhD focuses on original research, whereas the Doctor of Criminal Justice focuses on applied research.”

As you weigh you options, ask yourself:

• Do I prefer research — which may suggest a PhD — or would I rather work in a practical, field role — potentially leading toward a doctorate?
• Is my ultimate goal to be a professor or researcher? If so, consider a PhD.
• Do I want to conduct original research — more popular in a PhD — or would I rather look at existing research and analyze its impacts — possibly suggesting a doctorate?

FAQs: Earning a PhD or Doctorate in Homeland Security Online

With these main differences better understood, let’s now take a look at a few other common questions — and their answers — about an online PhD or doctorate in homeland security. Before choosing your future school and program, it may be helpful to read through the following key questions to get a better sense of some of the specifics related to the field and to online study in a doctoral degree program.

Should I choose a doctorate or PhD in Homeland Security?

When you receive an online doctorate or PhD in homeland security, you’re completing the highest level of graduate education you can pursue. This means you’ll distinguish yourself from your peers, preparing yourself to fill the top echelons of leadership — and to also fill roles that are the highest paid in the field. While many professionals may have master’s degrees related to homeland security, your commitment to the field and your education will help you stand out and increase your salary expectations.

When choosing the specific type of education you’d like to pursue, it may be helpful to narrow down your future professional role. Career opportunities most often include:

• For PhD-holders: tenure-track college professor, intelligence researcher, chief strategist/analyst
• For doctorate-holders: leadership/supervisory roles in police, border patrol, transit, FBI, etc.; counterterrorism specialist or program manager; cybersecurity leader for a public agency or private organization

Can PhD/doctorate programs in Homeland Security be completed fully online?

Just as you’ll find online master’s degrees in homeland security, you’ll also find doctoral programs that can be completed 100% online — like Kansas State Online’s PhD in Security Studies. A fully online PhD or doctoral program in homeland security offers many benefits. This type of learning environment could be for you if you enjoy working and studying online, and if your life demands flexibility in how you attend school — if you also care for a family, for example, or if you are going to school while working.

However, some online programs may have a residency or intensive requirement, which often means you’ll have to visit campus for specific durations during your study. The Doctor of Professional Studies, Homeland Security degree offered by St. John’s University, for example, has a limited in-residency requirement of one week on campus per academic year.

How much will my online PhD/Doctorate in Homeland Security cost?

You’ll find that earning a PhD or doctorate online is an investment of time and money, so before applying you should take a close look at the costs involved and the potential benefits to you. Remember that you can find financial aid specifically designed for public service students. And better yet, scholarships exist that are intended for homeland security students.

Below, you’ll find tuition data on three doctoral degrees in homeland security and three PhDs. This is to give you a cost range as you explore your future degree.

Can I get into an online Homeland Security PhD/Doctorate program?

Every school has its own set of admissions requirements, so you’ll need to take a deep dive into those details for your chosen school before you commit, ensuring you meet all prerequisites and have compiled all materials. You’ll most often find these basic requirements, among others:

• A master’s degree (sometimes in a related field) from an accredited college or university
• A minimum GPA — most often 3.0, though this varies
• A resume or CV, letters of recommendation, and essays/personal statements

Take a look at the requirements from Missouri State for an example of how to gain admission into an online doctorate in homeland security program.

What specialties exist in a PhD/Doctorate in Homeland Security online?

One of the intriguing aspects of researching an online PhD or doctorate in homeland security is discovering that you’re already dealing with a specialty. Most schools offer a doctoral degree or PhD in a broader field — like criminal justice, professional studies, or emergency management. You’ll notice that homeland security is actually the specialty, a “track” or emphasis within those larger fields that specializes students for careers in intelligence, counterterrorism, or public policy. For example:

• Walden University offers a PhD in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Homeland Security Policy and Coordination.
• Texas A&M International University offers a PhD in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on border and/or homeland security studies.

If you’re still interested in learning more about specialties in this growing field, explore the STEPS list of online homeland security degrees, and you’ll find programs at the associate, bachelor, and master levels offering specializations in homeland security.

What are the differences between a dissertation and a capstone project?

Most doctoral programs require some form of culminating research project to demonstrate mastery of skills and knowledge, and it’s important to know which one you’ll be expected to complete.

The first is a dissertation, the more traditional form of research project where a student considers a question that they’d like to answer through independent research. A dissertation usually concludes with a defense, where the student answers questions from a committee that has analyzed the written dissertation.

The other common project type is a capstone, which is often interdisciplinary and melds learning outcomes with practical applications. For schools offering a capstone in their PhD program, this course (or course series) typically takes place toward the end of your degree.

At Liberty University, students learn the practical nature of a Doctor of Criminal Justice degree through a culminating capstone project that is designed to link theory with practice. This is in contrast to National University’s PhD-BA, Homeland Security, which requires original research in the form of a dissertation.

Essential Resources for Homeland Security PhD/Doctoral Students

Whether you’re a student looking for an educational resource or an online doctoral program graduate in homeland security looking for a job, you’ll be able to dive deeper into the world of homeland security with the links below. We’ve gathered together professional organizations, blogs, websites, and podcasts, dedicated to homeland security, risk management, and emergency response.

• 10 Best Homeland Security Podcasts FeedSpot compiled this list of homeland security podcasts ranked by relevancy, authority, social media followers, and freshness. You’ll find podcasts devoted to specialties within the homeland security field, from cybersecurity to emergency management/response and beyond.
• Alumni Short Talks This video resource offers TED-style talks by Center for Homeland Defense and Security alum that pertain to various topics around homeland security. You can access the database to search for topics that pertain to your specific specialty or area of interest — from terrorism to leadership, among others.
• District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency This is the agency responsible for leading the planning and coordination of Washington DC’s homeland security and emergency management efforts. Here you’ll find grant-funding opportunities, training materials, outreach and events notices, and other resources for homeland security students and professionals.
• Homeland Security Affairs Journal This is the peer-reviewed online journal of the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS), created to provide a forum to propose and debate strategies, policies, and organizational arrangements to strengthen U.S. homeland security.
• Homeland Security Digital Library Search more than 250,000 librarian-selected resources related to homeland security policy, strategy, and organizational management.You can also access the “On the Homefront” blog and see a comprehensive homeland defense timeline.
• Homeland Security Student Opportunities The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers this compilation of scholarships, fellowships, internships, and training opportunities to expose talented students to the broad national security mission. Links are provided to various additional resources that could prove helpful to students.
• Learning and Research Sites The Center for Homeland Defense and Security has assembled a collection of educational resources to support homeland security research and enhance student learning. Here you can browse digital libraries, document repositories, courses, books, databases, thesis collections, video lectures, podcasts, interviews, and collaborations across a wide variety of homeland security topics and key issues.
• State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Click your state to access your local office dedicated to homeland security. Many states also offer links to their offices of emergency management and public safety. This resource is valuable for students seeking employment or information about homeland security initiatives in their specific states.
• Technologically Speaking Podcast The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate invites listeners to take a deep dive into the science of homeland security and meet the experts on the frontlines of keeping America safe. The show has three seasons and Tech Speak Minisodes on diverse homeland security topics.
• What Can You Do with a Degree in Homeland Security? This resource from the Student Training and Education in Public Service database offers potential job titles and median salaries, and describes some of the characteristics that are best for a career as a homeland security professional.