The goal of an online bachelor’s degree in homeland security colleges is to acquaint future officers and specialists with the reality that security risks can be found practically anywhere in businesses, at all levels, and in all sectors.
This degree program provides students with the information they need to identify threats to national security and take appropriate action to mitigate them.
Courses for online bachelor’s degrees in homeland security colleges frequently cover intelligence, threat management, and terrorism.
Acquiring an online undergraduate degree in homeland security enhances students’ capacity to identify, evaluate, oversee, and address risks to public safety at the local, state, or federal levels.
Everything you need to know about the top homeland security colleges for 2024 is included in this article. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- What Can I Expect From an Online Bachelors in Homeland Security Program?
- Best Online Homeland Security Degree Programs
- What Courses Will I Take in an Online Bachelor’s in Homeland Security Program?
- What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Bachelor’s in Homeland Security Program?
- How Do I Choose an Online Bachelor’s in Homeland Security Program?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- References
What Can I Expect From an Online Bachelors in Homeland Security Program?
Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in homeland security colleges online and learn the principles of disaster preparedness, cybersecurity, and national security.
These 120-credit programs are geared toward preparing students for entry-level positions in the industry. Usually, full-time students finish their degrees in four years.
When enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in homeland security, students can frequently focus on their degrees by selecting a concentration.
Students who want to focus specifically on their professional aspirations can use concentrations. Here is the list of some of the most popular concentrations in homeland security:
- Counterterrorism
- Cybersecurity
- Public Health
- Public Safety
- Emergency Management
- Information Security
- Infrastructure Protection
Depending on the institution, bachelor’s degree programs in homeland security may offer either bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degrees.
While BS programs have more of an emphasis on computer science and information technology, BA degrees offer a liberal arts basis. Both degrees equip graduates for jobs in homeland security at the entry-level.
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Best Online Homeland Security Degree Programs
Here are the best Onlne homeland security colleges/programs
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
- DeSales University
- Mercer University
- Marian University
- Angelo State University
- Keiser University
- Campbell University
- SUNY College of Technology at Canton
- Excelsior College
- National University
1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
Embry-Riddle, established in 1925 in Daytona Beach, Florida, is one of the best homeland security colleges. It offers an online bachelor’s in homeland security.
The major-specific courses include Foundations of Information Security, Studies in Intelligence, and two capstone courses in homeland security.
In capstone courses, students might choose a real off-campus client and use their knowledge and research skills to address a challenge.
Students can also focus on their degrees by selecting two minors or one minor and a concentrated 15-credit block of courses.
Motivated students can shorten the duration of an advanced degree by starting master’ s-level coursework while enrolled in their bachelor’s program. This allows them to complete their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years.
In addition, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has granted Embry-Riddle regional accreditation.
2. DeSales University
DeSales University, a Catholic institution in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, allows students to earn their homeland security bachelor’s degree online.
Introduction to homeland security, safeguarding key infrastructure, digital forensics, and cybercrime and cyberterrorism are among the subjects covered in the course.
Students can shorten the program’s duration by transferring up to 75 permissible credits from other institutions. On the basis of evaluations of earlier learning, they may be eligible for credit.
Students must participate in a senior seminar to show their expertise to earn their degree. A motivated student can start taking graduate-level classes while still in their undergraduate program and finish their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has granted DeSales regional accreditation. In addition, this is one of the best homeland security colleges.
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3. Mercer University
The 1833-established Macon, Georgia-based university Mercer provides an online bachelor’s degree in homeland security and emergency management.
Graduates can work as border patrol agents, emergency management planners, disaster services analysts, and air marshals.
Some of the course subjects are the consequences of the disaster on society, intelligence collection and dissemination, ethics, and public safety.
Students who enrol in two field mastery courses receive practical training in authorized settings under the guidance of instructors and mentors. The courses last eight weeks and have five different start dates throughout the year.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has granted Mercer regional accreditation. In addition, this is one of the best homeland security colleges.
4. Marian University
Marian, based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, offers an online homeland security bachelor’s degree. The program includes courses on homeland security, terrorism, and critical perspectives on disasters.
The curriculum also provides possibilities for fieldwork, such as a homeland security capstone based on expert or practitioner techniques.
The school only asks students to enroll in one course per term, which lasts seven weeks. The curriculum follows the guidelines established by the Defense Education Consortium Association and the Department of Homeland Security.
Additionally, the institution grants transfer credits for prior military service or relevant employment experience.
The Higher Learning Commission has accredited Marion at the regional level. Furthermore, this is one of the best homeland security colleges.
5. Angelo State University
The San Angelo, Texas-based ASU provides a bachelor’s degree in security studies in border and homeland security online. Also, it’s one of the best homeland security colleges.
Students take classes, including an introduction to cybersecurity, crimes against animals, and key communications infrastructure, while being instructed by a community of professionals.
The 120-credit curriculum also addresses current problems with contemporary immigration, trafficking, and security.
The university also offers an online bachelor’s degree in border security for students who already hold an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force or who are still on active duty.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges has regionally accredited ASU.
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6. Keiser University
Keiser, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, provides an online homeland security bachelor’s degree. Its one of the best homeland security colleges.
Students acquire the management-level skills necessary to seek lucrative positions in homeland security at the local, state, and federal levels.
Lower-division courses like “Introduction to Homeland Security” and “Constitutional Law for the Professional in Homeland Security” are taken by students.
Later, students progress to higher-level courses such as vital infrastructure protection, issues in disaster response, and preparation and reaction for terrorism.
Students gain knowledge of management principles, emergency procedures, and contemporary dangers in the United States.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges has regionally accredited Keiser.
7. Campbell University
Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina, offers an online homeland security bachelor’s degree program. The program focuses on essential topics such as domestic counterterrorism, transportation and border security, intelligence and warning, and emergency readiness and response.
Students enroll in classes that address a range of contemporary security topics, such as an introduction to cybersecurity, terrorism, and the protection of criminal infrastructure.
Students achieve proficiency in crucial areas of intelligence, disaster preparedness, and essential infrastructure while completing 124 credits.
Armed forces individuals who have served for at least a year may also be eligible to apply for up to 12 transfer credits, depending on their military experience.
The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has accredited Campbell.
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8. SUNY College of Technology at Canton
SUNY Canton offers an online bachelor of technology in homeland security. The curriculum equips pupils with functional skills necessary to respond to and fend off terrorist attacks.
Graduates can pursue employment options with the American intelligence community, the American Department of Homeland Security, and the American Department of Justice.
Students learn the principles of urgent security challenges while operating in both the public and private sectors.
Fundamentals of homeland security, challenges to homeland security, and newly developing issues are covered in the courses.
The 122-credit program offers students the option of taking a final field experience course in criminal justice.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has granted SUNY Canton regional accreditation. This is one of the best homeland security colleges.
9. Excelsior College
The Albany, New York-based Excelsior College provides an online bachelor’s degree in disaster management and homeland security. Also, this is one of the best homeland security colleges.
Flexible scheduling is a feature of the asynchronous program that may appeal to learners who are already busy.
During situations like domestic terrorism incidents and other crises, students gain leadership skills.
Emergency management, comparative national security analysis, and a capstone project to demonstrate student learning are all covered in the courses.
Students collaborate with advisors to create an elective block in an area of emphasis; these topics are based on students’ interests but need departmental clearance.
The maximum number of credits that can be transferred into the school is 113; the average student has roughly 70 credits. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has granted Excelsior College regional accreditation.
10. National University
Located in La Jolla, California, NU provides an online bachelor’s degree in emergency management and homeland security.
Due to the short four-week length of each session, students can concentrate on just one course at once.
The course’s themes include domestic security management, crisis management, and network defence.
Participants in the program must also complete a senior project under supervision that addresses a current security issue.
The project takes students two months to complete. Applications are accepted for the program continuously throughout the year.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission has granted NU regional accreditation. This is also one of the best homeland security colleges.
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What Courses Will I Take in an Online Bachelor’s in Homeland Security Program?
Each bachelor’s degree program in homeland security colleges offers slightly different courses, many will cover these broad topics.
Counterterrorism
In order to create methods and tactics to protect against them, this course investigates the origins and motives of terrorists. Students learn to assess sources and assets for potential danger, create backup plans, manage counterterrorism responsibly, and conduct fundamental field research.
Research Methods
They teach students how to use fundamental research techniques and critical thinking to write superior research papers on homeland security colleges and other social sciences.
Students who take courses will develop their writing skills, critical thinking, data evaluation, research strategy, and communication skills, enabling them to communicate their findings in an organized and polished manner.
Emergency Management
Emergency management students learn to anticipate, deal with, and lessen natural and artificial disasters. Students study risk assessment, catastrophe response and recovery, crisis management, and emergency preparedness and mitigation.
The Law and Policy of Immigration
This course examines how the immigration system functions according to American law. It covers citizenship law, naturalization, detention practices, undocumented immigration, and immigration enforcement practices.
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Cybercrime
In cybercrime classes, students learn how to identify, look into, and prevent computer-related crimes. The subjects covered include data encryption, digital forensic analysis, best practices and industry standards in cybersecurity, and legal methods for gathering digital evidence. To grasp preventative tactics better, students also look at well-known hacks.
What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Bachelor’s in Homeland Security Program?
Program-specific admission standards apply to online bachelor’s degrees in homeland security colleges. For online students, some programs provide a streamlined application procedure.
Other programs need both on-campus and online applicants to fulfil the same eligibility standards. Online programs may also question students regarding relevant job history, AP classes, or college credentials.
Application
The majority of online programs demand that applicants complete and submit an application. Online students don’t have to submit applications by a certain date because many schools provide rolling admissions or open enrollment.
Applications for both on-campus and online schools typically comprise the same fundamental information about potential students.
Test scores
The minimum test scores required vary for each program. Most homeland security colleges bachelor degree programs offered online do not require test scores, while certain programs strongly recommend doing so. Applicants may include their test results with their applications if they have taken college entrance tests.
Letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation are not generally required for an online homeland security college degree. Many merely ask for a completed application and certified transcripts.
Please find out your college’s most recent policy by contacting them. If a letter of recommendation is required, candidates should select someone who can highlight their advantages.
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Essays
Homeland security bachelor’s degrees earned online are less likely to include an essay requirement. The subjects for the application essay often change if they are required. The essay is an opportunity for applicants to showcase their distinctive viewpoints and connections to the program.
Official transcripts
Most online degree programs in homeland security colleges require applicants to present official transcripts. Although many institutions don’t mandate a minimum GPA, they need official transcripts.
Those who specify minimum GPA criteria often demand that applicants have a 2.0 to 2.5. Many programs accept transfer credits from recognized colleges. You can submit these together with certified transcripts.
How Do I Choose an Online Bachelor’s in Homeland Security Program?
Cost
Both on-campus and online programs for homeland security degrees have comparable costs. Public universities typically charge less for in-state students. Tuition at some of the best online homeland security bachelor’s degrees ranges from $480 to $600 per credit, with total expenses varying.
Because they can save money on lodging and transportation, online students frequently pay less for their whole program than on-campus students.
Program format
The majority of online homeland security programs provide a flexible asynchronous schedule. Students have the option of synchronous or asynchronous program forms in others. Both a part-time and a full-time program are available.
Several courses provide expedited formats. Of the 120 credits necessary, some enable students to transfer up to 90 of them.
Location
Location can still play a role in choosing an online program. Numerous colleges permit online students to use the campus library or other resources.
Some programs have on-campus prerequisites, so choosing a program close by is more practical. An in-state program may also be cheaper than an out-of-state school.
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Accreditation
Online degrees gain authority through accreditation. Online universities are subject to the same rigorous accreditation requirements as traditional campuses. Accredited institutions and programs follow academic standards to make sure students are ready for life after graduation.
Employers prefer candidates with degrees from accredited institutions. You typically need a degree from a recognized institution to pursue graduate study.
Student Support
They can improve student results through career counselling, course selection, mentoring, and tutoring. When choosing an online degree program, consider whether the program provides student support.
An alumni network, ongoing mentoring, and career services are additional examples of student support services. After graduation, some universities assist students in finding internships or jobs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in homeland security, students who are committed to defending the United States might find fulfilling professions. Graduates might be happy in their jobs and make good money.
Students who earn a bachelor’s degree in homeland security can work as police officers and detectives, directors of emergency management, firefighters, customs and immigration officers, agricultural specialists, and cybersecurity professionals.
Yes. With 193,867 employees in 2013, the DHS was one of the biggest government agencies, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Furthermore, between 2020 and 2030, the BLS predicts a 33% employment growth for information security analysts and a 7% employment growth for police and detectives.
Graduates of bachelor’s degree programs in homeland security earn a range of annual earnings depending on their region, role, and amount of expertise. The lowest 10% of police and detectives, for instance, earned less than $40,420 annually in 2021, while the wealthiest 10% made more than $105,540.
Cybersecurity and information technology careers are among the most lucrative in homeland security. For instance, the BLS reports that the median annual salary for information systems analysts in 2021 was $102,600, and for computer systems analysts, it was $99,270. After accumulating expertise, professionals in these industries may earn even higher incomes.
Conclusion
Students who complete traditional or online bachelor’s degrees in homeland security are prepared for crucial positions in law enforcement, disaster management, and cybersecurity.
Students gain expertise in management, leadership, technology, crisis communication, and critical thinking. Graduates can use their degree as a stepping stone to a more advanced degree in their industry or apply these abilities immediately to an entry-level homeland security position.
References
- online-bachelor-degrees.com ____ THE 18 BEST ONLINE SCHOOLS BACHELOR’S IN HOMELAND SECURITY
- bestcolleges.com ____ Best Online Homeland Security Programs