A Homeland Security degree is a fairly new major offered by several colleges around the nation. Established in 2007, the Bachelor’s of Homeland Security degree program was designed to address homeland security needs so that graduates could gain the knowledge they need to become a part of a team to combat terrorism, recover from natural disasters, and prevent man-made disasters. While the degree program does offer courses in law enforcement, the Homeland Security programs covers different aspects on law enforcement on a national level and incorporates information technology into the major. If you have always dreamed of becoming a contributing member of the field of public homeland security or private emergency management, read on and discover what you will learn by declaring this major.
What Will You Learn in a Homeland Security Degree Program?
While the required coursework in a Homeland Security program will vary from school to school, a majority of the required coursework will be similar. One of the great things about the Homeland Security and the Emergency Preparedness undergraduate major is that it is a hybrid program that does not just teach one discipline. Because the field is such a broad one, you will need to learn about different policies, procedures, emergency management techniques and recovery issues that are not taught fully in any other discipline. By earning a Homeland Security degree at an undergraduate level, you will be prepared to make the important decisions in a post-911 era where national security is imperative.
What Courses Will You Take in a Bachelor of Homeland Security Program?
As any other B.S. degree, you will need to complete general education requirements and elective coursework to earn your degree. If you choose to major in a field like Homeland Security, you will complete several degree-focused courses that teach different skills and facts you will need to know. Some of the courses that are required in the typical accredited program include:
- Managing Homeland Security
- Counterterrorism
- Disaster Defense Planning
- Emergency Planning and Management
- Electronic Intelligence
- Domestic Terrorism
- Intelligence
- Port Security
- Natural Disaster Management
- Constitutional issues
- Psychology of Disaster
- Social Impact of Disaster
- Interagency Communications
- Strategic Planning and Risk Management
As a student, you may have the option to choose a specified number of credits based on what career you are pursuing in the field. You can even later pursue a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies or in Management if you complete the Bachelor’s degree requirements.
Choosing the Right Degree Program
The Homeland Security major is becoming an increasingly popular path for individuals who have always wanted to protect and serve. When you are looking for the right program, be sure only to enroll in a program that is accredited by a national or regional body. If the school is not accredited, you risk the chance that government bureaus or employers will not recognize the degree you spent years pursuing. Also check into the schedule, the tuition fees, and the quality of the lesson plans before you commit to any program.
If you want a job in Homeland Security, the Department of Homeland Security is actively looking for candidates who can show that they are valuable assets. Find the right job at the official website, and then get the degree that you must have to apply and compete. Once you get your foot in the door, there are plenty of opportunities for growth.
