Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Program Overview

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The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management was established to provide students with a broad view of homeland security and emergency management issues focusing on policy considerations and aligning with the five National Preparedness System mission areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. Course work includes, but is not limited to, homeland security, emergency management, public safety, and business continuity issues. The program is intended for students who want to learn the fundamentals of homeland security and emergency management and prepares them for the day-to-day decision making required in the post-9/11 era. 

NOTE:

  • How Students Earn Credit in the Area of Study: All credits in this area of study may be completed with Thomas Edison State University courses and/or courses from other accredited institutions. Prior learning assessment (PLA) and/or examinations may also be used.
  • A total of 18 area of study credits must be from courses at the 300 level or above.

Credit Distribution

I. General Education Featured Courses (45 Credits)

TESU Featured Courses are listed as a guide. Other courses may satisfy the areas and can be viewed on our website under General Education Courses.  For more information see About Our General Education Program.  To plan your program please contact an Advisor.

A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15 Credits)

ENC-101English Composition I

3

ENC-102English Composition II

3

COM-209Public Speaking

3

MAT-105Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics

3

SOS-110Critical Information Literacy

3

For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Intellectual and Practical Skills.

B. Civic and Global Leadership (9 Credits)

SOC-101Our Changing World An Introduction to Sociology

3

ETH-230Ethics in the Digital Age

3

POS-110American Government

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Civic and Global Leadership.

C. Knowledge of Human Cultures (15 Credits)

SOC-210Marriage and the Family

3

HIS-113American History I

3

FIL-110American Cinema

3

Select two featured courses from the list below:
SOC-291Criminology

3

HIS-114American History II

3

HIS-121Introduction to World History I

3

HUM-103Introduction to the Humanities III: Music

3

PHI-130Introduction to Critical Reasoning

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Knowledge of Human Cultures.

D. Scientific Knowledge (6 Credits)

BIO-208The Science of Nutrition

3

EAS-101General Earth Science

3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Scientific Knowledge.

II. Area of Study (39 Credits)

A. Required Courses (21 Credits)

SOC-322Cultural Diversity in the United States

3

HLS-355Critical Thinking for Homeland Security

3

SOS-440Terrorism

3

HLS-410Counterterrorism: Constitutional and Legislative Issues

3

HLS-420Homeland Security: Preparedness, Prevention, and Deterrence

3

HLS-429Protecting the Homeland: Response and Recovery

3

SOS-492Research Methods in Social Sciences

3

B. Area of Study Electives (Choose 15 Credits)

HLS-398Integrating Public Safety and Homeland Security

3

LDR-305Foundations of Leadership

3

AOJ-303White-Collar Crime

3

AOJ-381Victimology and Criminal Behavior

3

AOJ-484Public Policy, Crime, and Criminal Justice

3

CIS-301Management Information Systems

3

COM-330Interpersonal Communication

3

COM-335Intercultural Communication

3

HIS-356War and American Society

6

MAN-311Organizational Behavior

3

POS-315International Relations I

3

POS-420Conflict in International Relations

3

PSY-379Social Psychology

3

PSY-331Introduction to Counseling

3

SOC-384Gangs

3

SOS-360Games People Play: Game Theory in Life, Business, and Beyond

3

SOS-370Challenges in U.S. and Global Public Health

3

C. Capstone (3 Credits)

HLS-498Homeland Security Capstone

3

III. Electives (36 Credits)

For TESU course options, go to Elective Courses.

TESU accepts credits in transfer from accredited institutions as well as non-collegiate providers. View information and resources on where you may find additional learning experiences.

Total Credit Hours: 120

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management program will have the ability to:

  • use key terms, concepts, theories, and answer critical questions in area of study;
  • describe the historical development of the field, its origins, old and new, conceptual framework, and the interdependence of this field with research findings in other fields;
  • demonstrate independence and collaboration while participating in decision-making activities in a variety of settings;
  • define and apply appropriate constitutional legal principles to the design and implementation of strategies related to homeland security and emergency management;
  • seek out, research, and evaluate all available information regarding homeland security and emergency management concepts, strategies, and tactics, and select new or established methods based upon good analysis and best practices;
  • demonstrate the emergency management process of planning, organizing, response, and mitigation of potential threats and disasters;
  • describe the psychological and sociological impact of natural and man-made disasters on community members, businesses, and government, and apply this knowledge to emergency management strategies and practices; and
  • define and apply established principles of command and control, in cooperation with other agencies, in the assessment and mitigation of natural and man-made disasters.