2023 Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Homeland Security

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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student-teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire a bachelor’s in homeland security but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best bachelor’s in homeland security programs.

What institution did we omit from this list? Leave your suggestions in the comment section below.

Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

Tulane’s School of Professional Advancement has a superior degree in homeland security studies. Coursework in this degree program covers an array of concepts, ranging from homeland security to border protections to emergency management. The degree program was designed with working professionals in mind and can be finished part-time or online.

Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

The bachelor of science (BS) in criminal justice at Liberty University offers an emphasis in homeland security that can’t be beaten. Learners learn through hands-on activities designed to provide them with the practical comprehensions of terrorism and incident command. In this degree program, law enforcement professionals can earn credits for police officer training. This degree program requires 120 total credit-hours, including coursework in subjects such as: administration of justice organizations, introduction to homeland security, incident command system, critical infrastructure protection, and terrorism.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL

Embry-Riddle has a bachelor of science (BS) in homeland security with specialized tracks in emergency management, cybersecurity, and terrorism studies. The curriculum is established in coursework that is outcome-based. This degree program incorporates subject matter experts from an array of security subjects, many of whom frequently teach classes or deliver guest lectures. The degree program is continually being revised so that learners are prepared to meet the demands of sector and government institutions.

Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Technical University has a bachelor of science (BS) in criminal justice with a concentration in homeland security and emergency management. This award-winning institution has received multiple accolades for its dedication to learner engagement, online technologies, faculty credentials, and learner services. The institution has exceptional learner support, especially regarding support for military veterans and active-duty service members. A total of 182 credit hours are needed for degree completion. Most learners will take classes such as: juvenile delinquency, criminal law, criminology, criminal procedure, the laws of evidence, public administration, and social psychology.

Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL

The bachelor of arts in homeland security was created for working adults and military veterans. This regionally sanctioned degree program is highly rated by U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, and even The Princeton Review. The degree program is taught by accomplished faculty and produces dozens of distinguished alumni each year. Florida Tech has a wide range of other bachelor’s degrees as well as graduate programs, and certificates—all available entirely online.

The online classroom featured in this degree program includes interactive, cooperative content, all taught by engaging and experienced faculty. Learners will obtain training in essential theories and practices used in the discipline, such as crime analysis, victimology, and police administration.

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY

The undergraduate major in security management at John Jay underscores the importance of comprehension security vulnerabilities and administration tactics. Learners can go on to careers as consultants, entrepreneurs, or professionals. John Jay College is one of the best liberal arts institutions, offering a breadth of diverse classes that help prepare learners to become lifelong learners, as well as professionals of criminal justice.

The degree program requires 120 credit-hours, with most learners taking around four years to finish this degree program. The program includes prerequisite liberal arts classes, core content, coursework in security applications and industrial, commercial, and retail concepts. Required classes consist of methods of security; security management; security of computers and their data; private security and the law; risk management; emergency planning; and writing for management, business and public administration.

Keiser University, Fort Lauderdale, FL

The bachelor of arts in homeland security is a dynamic degree that provides learners with the leadership skills necessary to oversee homeland security at the local, state, and federal levels. Learners in this degree program benefit from the day, evening, or online classes.

Learners in this 120-hour degree program not only learn the theory behind homeland security but also get experience using the equipment they will need in their professions. Required major classes consist of introduction to criminal justice, constitutional law for the homeland security professional, domestic and international terrorism, emergency planning and security measures, organizing the war on terrorism, issues in disaster response, and technical communications.

University of Alaska at Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK

The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management offers a homeland security and emergency management bachelor’s degree that delivers real-world experiences. In addition to the bachelor’s degree, learners also have access to several related minors, a graduate degree, and an occupational endorsement. The institution also a highly interactive career center that helps learners obtain career placements or access to continuing education classes.

While learners must take an array of lower-division and liberal arts classes, most classes that are pursued will fall within concepts connected to homeland security, such as emergency services, environmental health and safety, and fire science. Required classes consist of:

Introduction to Human Resources Management
Organizational Theory and Behavior
Fiscal Management for Emergency Management Operations
Geological Hazards
Disaster Response Operations and Management
Leadership in a Dangerous Context
All-Hazards Risk Analysis
Principles of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE

The security management major is offered both on-campus and online. It acknowledges the importance of rapid and effective response to an array of international and domestic security threats and prepares learners for employment. This degree program is exceptionally inexpensive, starting at just $410 per credit-hour, regardless of whether those credits are pursued online or on-campus. In addition to prerequisite coursework, 40 credit hours are required in the field of homeland security, including:

Foundations for Professional Success
Homeland Security and Terrorism
Physical and Technological Components of Security Management
Principles and Practices of Effective Emergency Planning
Infrastructure Security and National Defense
Risk Analysis and Organizational Security
The American Criminal and Civil Legal Systems

Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, PA

The bachelor of science (BS) in leadership in homeland security at Philadelphia University isn’t just designed to train entry-level emergency first-responders. In essence, it is intended to prepare learners for leadership careers in state, federal, or local governments and organizations. This degree program complements the university’s master of science in disaster medicine and management, and also an accelerated choice. The accelerated degree program consists of eight-week terms that consist of afternoon, evening, and Saturday classes, as well as online coursework.

This degree program is taught by dedicated and experienced faculty and incorporates cooperative projects to help learners develop practical skills and professional networks. In addition to generalized college-level classes in writing, math, science, the humanities, and other areas are required for degree conferral; learners will also take specific major classes such as:

Disaster Response and Recovery Planning
The Foundations of Homeland Defense and Security
Unconventional Conflict
Critical Infrastructure: Vulnerability Analysis and Protection
Disaster Policy and Politics
Financial Decision Making
Leadership Theory and Ethical Practices

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

George Mason University’s degree program in homeland security is a holistic degree program requiring 120 total credit-hours. This degree program, housed in the Department of Criminology, Law, and Society, is one of the best in the United States as it implements award-winning instruction with the chance to conduct original research. Learners may pursue internships at top-tier organizations for academic credit and also pursue relevant minors to add further relevance to their careers.

This degree program emphasizes the importance of writing and communicating effectively across the discipline. In addition to optional concentrations in concepts such as criminal justice, law and society, and homeland security and justice, learners will also take core classes such as:

Public Law and the Judicial Process
Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing
Social Inequality, Crime, and Justice
Crime Victims and Victimization
Theory and Politics of Terrorism
Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society

Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY

The bachelor’s degree in homeland security at EKU was created to respond to the United States’ security issues and needs. This degree, along with comparable minors and certificates, is offered both online and on campus. Learners can focus on several concentrations in the field, including intelligence sharing, analysis, disaster preparedness and response, and critical infrastructure protection. Along with internships and general education requirements, core classes consist of:

Disaster Preparedness and Response
Cyber Security
Risk Analysis
Disaster Resilience
Strategic Planning and Leadership
Policy and Legal Analysis
Homeland Security Technology

University of New Haven, West Haven, CT

The College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at New Haven has a unique, immersive degree program in homeland security that prepares learners for an array of careers in the sector. In addition to core coursework in concepts such as counterterrorism and first response, learners will also develop proficiencies in foreign languages. These might consist of popular choices such as Russian, Chinese, and Arabic. As a culminating experience in this language study, many learners will also study abroad in those countries.

Learners will develop crucial analytical skills, such as data mining and analysis and intelligence reporting. Intensive internship opportunities are also available so that learners can begin working in national security from the very first day. Required classes consist of:

Reporting in National Security
Homeland Security and Terrorism
National Security Internship
Incident Mapping and Analysis
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, FL

The bachelor of arts in criminal justice with a concentration in homeland security at Saint Leo prepares learners to fight terrorism, respond to natural disasters, and promote the safety of the nation. Faculty at the institution have worked as federal agents, chief deputies, detectives, and FBI advisors. This institution is rated as one of the most military-friendly institutions in the nation.

The curriculum of this degree program is designed by a diverse criminal justice advisory board to improve the effectiveness of working professionals. While the list of required and elective classes that a learner may pursue is broad, popular options consist of: