Program Overview
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The Master of Science in Homeland Security (MSHS) degree presents a unique curriculum covering domestic and global issues in security and develops competencies in theory, analysis, practice, and policymaking. Students will become conversant with the roles of technology, intelligence, and law in establishing protection policies and procedures and in responding to and mitigating threats and disasters, whether natural or man-made. The students will learn to develop policy, establish objectives, and understand the impact of operational decisions in both the domestic and international arenas. Courses cover the five mission areas of the homeland security enterprise of terrorism, border security, cybersecurity, immigration, administration, and emergency management as well as public safety and public administration issues.
The program is intended for adults who want to learn advanced aspects of homeland security and emergency preparedness and prepares students to guide and supervise both day-to-day operational and strategic planning and decision making, which is mandated in the post-9/11 era. Students who complete the Master of Science in Homeland Security will encounter a wide variety of career options. Many will utilize this degree with prior experience in security, police, or military service to advance in those fields. Those who are already experienced in those fields will utilize this degree to enter policy and leadership positions. Those without formal security training, but with expertise in the health professions, engineering, business, or law, will find that this degree prepares them to utilize their disciplinary knowledge in security situations.
The Master of Science in Homeland Security degree program is a 36-credit graduate program offering both required courses and elective courses as needed to satisfy the individual learning interests of students. The course work provides a solid grounding in relevant academic theory, applied practice, and policymaking. Students will complete course work in a prescribed order and will complete a Capstone project in security policy.
The areas of study position students to prepare for specific homeland security mission areas to advance professionally and strengthen the capacity of those who provide services in the homeland security arena and to protect the public interest.
Why Earn a Master of Science in Homeland Security at Thomas Edison State University?
- Because you will develop competencies critical to personal and professional growth and gain leadership skills that employers value. You will gain a mastery of the roles of technology, intelligence, and law in establishing protection policies and procedures and in responding to and mitigating threats and disasters. Learn more about program outcomes.
- Because your studies fit well into your busy professional life. You’ll take flexible, high-quality online courses at your own pace guided mentors who are subject matter experts that specialize in working with adult students.
- Because you deserve the quality and flexibility. In addition to online courses, you can transfer graduate credits and earn credits through prior learning assessment and graduate-level courses recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education.
Learn why we made Best Masters Program’s Top 25 Online Homeland Security Master’s Programs list.
Potential Degree Timeline
This is a hypothetical timeline that shows how a student can complete the Master of Science in Homeland Security degree program at Thomas Edison State University in about 18 months.
To demonstrate how you could progress through the program over an 18-month period, we are using the January term as your first term and move through the program during the four graduate terms offered each year. Each term is 12 weeks.
The timeline is informational in nature and does not represent an actual program plan. Enrolled graduate students work with our deans and academic advisors to develop a program plan that maps out how a student will complete their degree and whether they can transfer previously earned graduate credits or earn graduate credit for what they know through prior learning assessment.
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Term (runs for 12 weeks)
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Courses To Take
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Credits
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First Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of January
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MPL-510: Research Methods in Public Service
HLS-500: Terrorism and Homeland Security in the U.S.
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3
3
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Second Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of April
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HLS-501: Natural Disasters
HLS-510: Protecting the Homeland: Balancing Security and Liberty
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3
3
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Third Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of July
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HLS-620: Preparedness: Prevention and Deterrence
HLS-630: Protecting the Homeland: Response and Recovery
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3
3
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Fourth Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of October
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HLS-615: Domestic and Global Intelligence for Security Management
HLS-625: Technology and Information Security
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3
3
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Fifth Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of January
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HLS-610: The Psychology and Sociology of Disaster
HLS-611: International Legal and Ethical Issues
One Elective
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3
3
3
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Sixth Graduate Term:
Starts beginning of April
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HLS-640: Funding and Program Administration for Homeland Security
MPL-710: Public Service Capstone
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3
3
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