15 Best Bachelor’s Degrees in Homeland Security for 2023

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1 15 Best Bachelor’s Degrees in Homeland Security for 2023

1.1 Are Homeland Security Degrees Worth It?

1.2 What Will I Study in a BS in Homeland Security?

1.3 What is a BS in Homeland Security Good For?

1.4 Choosing the Best Bachelor’s in Homeland Security

1.5 15 Best Bachelor’s in Homeland Security Degrees

1.6 Getting Started

There has never been a better time to consider a career in homeland security.

The demand for trained experts who can secure our borders, defend against cyber-attacks, and prevent terrorist atrocities is at an all-time high.

But how do you find the right BS in Homeland Security program for you? It can be a daunting task, but with a little help, you can find the path to success.

Here, we’ll explore the best online BS in Homeland Security programs that will help you reach your goals.

Are Homeland Security Degrees Worth It?

A degree in homeland security provides a diverse education and prepares students for various career paths.

Graduates of this program are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in different industries such as government, law enforcement, public safety, and private security. Not only that, but this degree can prepare students for leadership positions and interdisciplinary work.

Furthermore, a homeland security degree has global relevance, and graduates can work for international agencies like NATO, the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations.

In essence, a degree in homeland security prepares students for careers that have significant impact and purpose.

Is Homeland Security a BA or BS?

Some universities offer a BA in homeland security, while others offer a BS in homeland security. A BS program normally has more emphasis on scientific courses than a BA program, where the focus is more on humanities courses.

However, regardless of which degree a student chooses, the curriculum covers the same essential topics relating to terrorism, emergency management, critical infrastructure protection, intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism.

The key difference is that a BS program tends to have more courses that cover topics such as math, science, and technology, while a BA program may focus on subjects like public policy and international relations. In our ranking below, we’ll include both top BA and BS degrees to give you adequate variety in your search.

Some schools consider a homeland security degree to be a part of their school of Criminal Justice, while others consider it a public service degree. Either way, this degree is a great step to working on protecting our country.

What Will I Study in a BS in Homeland Security?

A BS in Homeland Security includes several essential courses that provide students with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities that come along with handling terrorist threats, cyber risks, and other catastrophic events.

Here are some key courses you’ll take:

Introduction to Homeland Security: This course provides students with an overview of the history, key concepts, strategies, and missions of Homeland Security in the USA. It also covers the legal frameworks, ethical and social issues, as well as the technical aspects of surveillance and security systems.
Cybersecurity: In this course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity and the importance of securing information systems. It covers concepts such as cyber threats, protection mechanisms, data encryption, as well as analyzing and defending against cyber-attacks.
Intelligence Analysis: This course covers the essential skills and techniques of intelligence analysis used to evaluate risks resulting from various threats. It includes basic principles such as the Intelligence Cycle, the difference between open-source and classified information, and the processes of data mining and link analysis.
Terrorism and Counterterrorism: In this course, you’ll focus on the characteristics of terrorist organizations, their motives, as well as how authorities can and should manage these organizations. It covers topics such as Terrorist Financing, Counterterrorism Strategies, and National Critical Infrastructure Protection.
Emergency Management and Disaster Response: This course explores the natural and man-made disasters that can happen at any time, and the corresponding response procedures, emergency assistance practices, and mitigation tactics. It also covers topics like preparing disaster recovery plans, the crisis management cycle, and the Incident Command System (ICS).

What is a BS in Homeland Security Good For?

Here are a few potential career options for students with homeland security degrees:

Federal Government: Several governmental departments, including the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the CIA, and the Secret Service, seek qualified applicants to protect the country. Depending on experience level and job designation, a Homeland Security professional can earn anywhere from $40,000 to $105,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Private Sector: Many large corporations have security departments responsible for securing their assets and minimizing risks. Homeland Security graduates can work in consulting, risk management, and compliance at corporations that need protection. In this field, you can earn anywhere from $60,000 to $110,000 per year.
Emergency Management: Companies require emergency management teams to help them prepare for natural disasters, pandemics, and other disasters. These jobs can have an average salary of around $76,730 per year.
Information Security: These experts are responsible for protecting sensitive data from cyber attacks and hackers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an information security analyst is around $102,600 per year.
Transportation Security: Transportation security, or TSA, is a federal agency that is in charge of protecting transportation systems, including airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and public transit systems. Transportation Security Officers can earn around $56,000, depending on where they’re placed.

Choosing the Best Bachelor’s in Homeland Security

Choosing the right BS in homeland security program can be a daunting task. Here are a few things to consider.

Programmatic and Regional Accreditation

Accreditation is a vital consideration because it attests to the quality of the institution’s academic programs.

You’ll want to check if the program is accredited by relevant organizations like the Council for the Accreditation of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Education.

Regional accreditation from bodies like the Higher Learning Commission or Middle States Commission on Higher Education is always a good sign of overall quality, too.

Hands-on Experiences

The department should provide internship opportunities, volunteer opportunities, co-curricular or extracurricular experiences, and a faculty with real-world experience.

You’ll want to know how hands-on the program is before making a decision. Equipping yourself with practical skills can make or break opportunities for employment.

Specialization Opportunities

Specializations allow you to tailor your coursework to your professional goals and interests.

For example, if you want to work as a border patrol agent, you can go for a specialization like Immigration Law Enforcement. Having a few opportunities for specialization will make you stand out from the competition.

Admissions Requirements

Different schools and universities have different admission requirements.

There are four critical determinants when applying for a bachelor’s program in Homeland Security: Transcripts, standardized test scores, letter of recommendation, and application essay.

However, each school varies in terms of what it’s looking for, so it’s important to get a clear idea of what you’ll need ahead of time.

How We Made Our Final Cut

Deciding on the best BS in homeland security degrees wasn’t easy. We had to look at a variety of factors, including the accreditation and admissions requirements we mentioned above.

We also took a deep dive into the following factors:

Retention rates, admissions, and selectivity
Earning potential
Accessibility
Affordability
Accreditation
Academic reputation

Want to learn more? You can check out our detailed methodology here.

15 Best Bachelor’s in Homeland Security Degrees

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security. It focuses on providing systematic and quantitative approaches to critical problems related to terrorism, disaster response, and critical infrastructure protection.