Best Online Master's Degrees in Homeland Security

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*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

In general, earning a master's degree can often help professionals move into more advanced leadership and managerial positions in their field and take on more responsibilities. Online degree programs typically provide additional flexibility to work and manage a personal life while earning a degree from any location. A master's degree may actually be required for some managerial positions in homeland security and emergency management and may qualify students for multiple positions, which can increase job prospects. Graduates with a master's degree are also likely to experience a pay raise with their increased knowledge and skills. PayScale.com reported that graduates with their MS in Homeland Security made a median annual salary of $64,399 as of January 2021.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Homeland Security?

Students wondering how long it will take them to complete an online master's degree in homeland security need to consider several different factors. In general, these programs are intended to be completed in 2 years or less. Several allow students to finish in as little as 1 year, while others may be designed to take 1.5 to 2 years to finish. Additional factors that may play a role in how fast a student can earn their degree include course load, full- or part-time status, and the program's transfer credit policy for those who have prior graduate-level credits.

Despite being online, master's programs in homeland security still typically provide students hands-on training in the field with coursework that aims to prepare students for a wide range of potential security and emergency situations. Many of these degree programs require between 33 and 36 credits of coursework, but some may require as much as 55 credits of coursework. The curriculum for these programs typically includes core courses in homeland security that may include topics in closely related areas, such as criminal justice or criminology courses in addition to security- and emergency preparedness-related courses. Students then usually take electives or concentration courses to finish out their degree. Find out more about the curriculum for these homeland security programs here.

Homeland Security Foundational Courses

Depending on the program, students may take around 18 credits or more of core homeland security courses. These courses are intended to give students a broad, but advanced overview of different aspects of the field. Students further develop their analytical and critical-thinking skills in these programs and may utilize case studies and other hands-on activities to apply their knowledge. It is fairly common for these online degree programs to conclude with a culminating experience of some kind. Students may have the option to choose or be required to complete a capstone course, thesis, applied project, or other final experience to apply what they have learned throughout the program. Some course topics that may be part of the core courses for these programs include:

• Intelligence for homeland security
• Technology for homeland security
• Terrorism
• Crisis communication/leadership
• Homeland security policy
• Research methods

Homeland Security Specialist and Elective Courses

Online master's programs in homeland security may conclude with elective courses or coursework in a given concentration. Although either format is designed to allow students to explore additional areas of interest within the field, concentrations may give students a more in-depth understanding of a particular subfield. These concentration courses may help prepare students for more specialized careers within the field of homeland security. Depending on the program, students may be able to choose from concentrations such as:

• Criminal justice
• Cyber
• Emergency management
• Terrorism
• Safety and security
• Military leadership
• Intelligence studies
• Transportation security

Licensure and Certification in Homeland Security

Licensure and certification for careers in homeland security vary greatly by the specific position. There are organizations, such as the Global Society of Homeland Security Professionals (GSHSP), that offer a variety of professional certifications in the field. The GSHSP and the National Sheriffs' Association established the Certified Homeland Protection Professional (CHPP) and Certified Homeland Protection Associate (CHPA) levels I through IV certifications for professionals in the field to demonstrate their expertise. Applicants to these certification programs must meet general requirements, such as being a U.S. citizen and meeting an age requirement, as well as education and experience requirements. Students then undergo training and must pass an examination.

Other homeland security professionals may need to pursue different types of professional certifications that are specific to their specialty area. For instance, emergency management directors may pursue certification as a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) from the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). Some employers may prefer information security analysts who have certifications such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

The admissions process is usually unique to each institution, so students should be sure to follow the specific instructions for each program to which they apply. For example, some programs may want students to contact an admissions specialist to help them through the process. Typically, applicants need to have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited school, but some programs may require this degree to be in areas such as criminal justice, criminology, public safety, public administration, social work, parks and recreation management, and other related areas. Some programs may have a minimum GPA requirement. Depending on the school, students may be expected to include items such as transcripts, a resume, letters of recommendation, and/or a statement of purpose with their application.

There are many different factors to consider when choosing an online master's degree in homeland security. Students may want to begin by determining what type of degree they want to earn and then finding a regionally-accredited school that offers it. For instance, some students may want a master's degree specifically in homeland security rather than a master's in criminal justice with a concentration in the field. Other students may want a degree that includes emergency management with homeland security issues. Next, students may want to examine the curriculum of these programs to determine if there is a specific concentration they would like to take or unique learning experiences that they want to be included in their education, such as case studies or a thesis option. Students may also want to look for programs that have experienced faculty that have worked in various areas of homeland security in order to learn from their experiences. Other factors for consideration may include the format of a program, time to degree completion, total cost, and availability of resources for online students.

Graduates of online master's programs in homeland security can choose from a wide range of careers within the field, as well as some careers in related areas. For instance, those interested in homeland security may become a homeland security officer or homeland security specialist. Others who are more interested in the criminal justice or criminology side of homeland security may pursue careers as criminology consultants or forensic criminology professionals. Professionals may also work in intelligence analysis, emergency management, public safety, and other related areas. In general, students with their master's can take on higher-level, leadership positions within the field to work to help keep our nation safe. Other potential job titles for graduates include:

• Criminal investigators
• Special agents
• Emergency management directors
• Supervisors of police and detectives
• Information security analysts
• Intelligence analysts
• Security management specialists

Job Outlook for a Master's in Homeland Security

The job outlook for graduates with their master's degree in homeland security should be positive, typically because these degree programs prepare students for a variety of positions in various fields. The need to keep our nation safe is also growing, sometimes faster in some areas than others, such as information security. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the job outlook for information security analysts was 31% from 2019 to 2029. This job outlook is much faster than the national average. Other positions related to homeland security may not be growing as fast, but may still have a positive outlook. For instance, emergency management directors had a job outlook of 4% from 2019 to 2029, per the BLS.

How to Become an Emergency Management Director

Emergency management directors usually have to have at least a bachelor's degree, although some may only have a high school diploma and extensive work experience. Even those professionals with a bachelor's degree typically need to have several years of work experience working in areas such as public administration, emergency response, or disaster planning. Some may begin their careers as policemen, firefighters, paramedics, and more. They may need to have a degree in emergency management, business, or other related areas, such as homeland security, to move into these management positions. Professional certifications are available in the field from several organizations to demonstrate expertise.

Per the BLS, emergency management directors made a median annual salary of $74,590 as of 2019. These managers help plan and respond to a wide range of emergencies and national disasters. This may require them to identify hazards, coordinate with public safety officials, distribute resources, analyze damage, and apply for federal aid as needed.

How to Become an Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts typically have to have at least a bachelor's degree, but some employers may prefer those who hold a master's degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a degree focused on security. Students may hold a bachelor's degree in fields such as information assurance, computer science, or other related areas. It may also be preferred for these analysts to have some prior work experience, usually in information technology. Professional certifications in the field are also widely available to help professionals stand out and demonstrate their knowledge.

As of 2019, the BLS stated that information security analysts made a median annual salary of $99,730. These analysts work to protect the computer networks and systems of their organization against cyberattacks. This requires them to stay updated on current techniques in the field, create security standards, train users on security measures, and install security software and firewalls as needed.

Outside of a number of government agencies concerned with homeland security, such as the National Security Agency, there are also a number of professional organizations available in the field. These groups may be designed for specific careers in the field or for a wide range of professionals in homeland security. In general, these organizations help support professionals by offering unique resources and professional development opportunities. Membership to these groups may offer additional benefits. A couple of examples of available homeland security professional organizations include:

• National Sheriffs' Association- The NSA offers individual and group membership options and is home to the Global Center for Public Safety. The group is involved in a variety of programs and initiatives, including crime prevention and a mental health initiative. Professionals can also take advantage of the group's publication library, certifications, trainings, and awards.
• Global Society of Homeland Security Professionals- The GSHSP also offers membership and a variety of certifications for homeland security professionals. The group provides regular seminars and different training opportunities, including the Developing Leader Program.

Many online master's programs in homeland security do not require applicants to have a bachelor's degree in any particular field. However, there are some programs that may require students to have a background in areas such as criminology, criminal justice, public administration, and other social science areas. It may be more common for students who have studied criminal justice or a related area to be interested in homeland security, but students from other backgrounds, such as computer science and information technology, may also be interested in how their field can play a role in national security. There are also online bachelor's degree programs in homeland security available for students who would like to begin in the field.

Some students may be interested in continuing their studies in homeland security beyond the master's level. For these students, there are a variety of on-campus doctoral programs in the field available, as well as a few online options. Online students may decide to pursue degrees such as an online Doctor of Management with a concentration in homeland security or an online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Homeland Security Leadership and Policy. Doctoral programs are designed to prepare students for even more advanced leadership and research-based careers in the field.

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should always be students' first step in figuring out how to pay for their education. The FAFSA notifies students of any federal or state grants or loans they may qualify for. Then, students may begin searching schools, professional organizations, and other outside groups for available grants and scholarships to help pay for their program of interest.

Specifically in homeland security, there are a variety of undergraduate- and graduate-level scholarships available. These awards vary in amounts and may be available from organizations involved in national security. A couple of examples of available graduate-level scholarships include:

• CIA Graduate Scholarship Program- The CIA offers a graduate scholarship program that includes a paid internship to give students real-world experience. In order to apply, students must be enrolled full-time in a graduate program and demonstrate financial need.
• The Life's Choices Foundation Scholarship- The Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) offers two Life's Choices Foundation Scholarships to graduate students who are studying national security and desire to work for the U.S. government. This award is in the amount of $3,500.