Your Guide To A Master’s In Homeland Security – Forbes Advisor
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
As natural disasters, terrorist attacks and cyberterrorism pose ongoing threats to our communities, there is an ongoing need for knowledgeable professionals who work to keep us safe and secure. Many people who fill these roles are educated in homeland security principles.
If you already have work experience in homeland security or a related field and are ready to expand your knowledge and build leadership valuable skills, consider earning a master’s in homeland security. This degree provides you with an in-depth understanding of the critical security issues facing society every day, opening up opportunities for management careers in the field.
This article explores master’s degrees in homeland security, including typical admission requirements, concentrations and potential career outcomes.
What Is a Master’s in Homeland Security?
A master’s in homeland security prepares you for various management-level careers focused on protecting our nation, government, communities, organizations and citizens. In this degree program, you can expect to study homeland defense, the politics of security, regulations and laws, emergency management and disaster preparedness, and constitutional law and ethics.
Professionals with master’s degrees in homeland security often work in natural disaster preparedness and response, immigration and travel, law enforcement, intelligence, threat prevention and response, and other critical fields.
A master’s in homeland security typically takes 18 months to two years of full-time study to earn, requiring 30 to 36 credits of coursework. Depending on the program you choose, you may need to complete a thesis or capstone project.
Specializations for Master’s Degrees in Homeland Security
Some homeland security master’s programs require or allow students to choose an area of specialization, also called a concentration or track. While offerings vary, below are a few popular homeland security specializations.
Emergency Management
An emergency management concentration teaches you…
