If you are interested in matters of nationwide security, you have likely thought of working in homeland security. One of the best ways to start a career in this field is to earn a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security. Doing so provides you with the education you need to efficiently work jobs with organizations like the Department of Homeland Security.
Earning a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security can be a gamechanger when applying for jobs. When it comes down to you and another candidate, having a higher education will likely make you an employer’s first pick. On top of the job opportunities, you are also guaranteed a higher salary. There is no losing with a master’s degree.
Best Master’s Degree in Homeland Security Programs
Most master’s degree programs will require you to have completed an undergraduate degree in a similar field and maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Choosing the right program to earn your Master’s Degree in Homeland Security is just as important as the decision to earn the degree. The following programs are some of the best for a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security.
Tulane University
In New Orleans, Louisiana, students can enroll in Tulane University’s Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security Studies. This program is offered in both an online and a hybrid format, giving students some flexibility with their degree path. Courses in this program focus on emergency management, cybersecurity, law, and national security.
While there is an option to earn the degree online, some of the elective courses offered are only available on-campus. Before earning the degree, students in Tulane University’s program must complete 30 credit hours worth of graduate-level courses. This includes up to two independent studies.
Bellevue University
Bellevue University, located in Bellevue, Nebraska, offers a Master of Science in Security Management. While this is not exactly a homeland security degree, most of the same careers will be available with this degree. This masters program is offered in both an online and on-campus format to best accommodate all graduate students.
To earn a degree through Bellevue University, students will need to complete 36 credit hours worth of courses. Many of these courses focus on homeland security, cybersecurity, and civil infrastructure. Before graduating, students will complete two homeland security projects and two security management projects.
Pennsylvania State University
In University Park, Pennsylvania, students can enroll in the Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security. Pennsylvania State University’s program is offered online. This program can be completed as a speciality or as the base of a multidisciplinary degree. Courses cover topics such as ethics in homeland security and violence, terror, and insurgency.
To complete this master’s degree program, students are required to complete 33 credit hours of required courses. Only 24 credit hours have to be earned from Pennsylvania State, allowing students to transfer credits from other institutions.
Towson University
Towson University in Towson, Maryland offers a Master of Science in Integrated Homeland Security Management. This program is offered entirely online and offers students the opportunity to specialize in a few different areas. Topics focused on in this program include strategic planning and planning, prevention, and risk management.
Towson University’s program requires students to complete 36 credit hours. Students take five core courses and the rest are focused on their specialization. Before graduating, students are also required to complete a capstone project.
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas is home to Sam Houston University, offering a Master of Science in Homeland Security Studies. This program is offered in both online and on-campus formats, suiting the needs of all students. For added flexibility, both programs can be started in both the fall and spring semesters.
Sam Houston University’s program requires students to complete 36 credit hours. Some of the required course topics include unconventional threats and homeland security foundations. Before graduating, students will need to complete either three elective courses and an internship or four elective courses.
Eastern Kentucky University
In Richmond, Kentucky, students can enroll in Eastern Kentucky University’s Master of Science in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management. This program is offered completely online and focuses on emergency management education. This is a good degree program for those interested in handling emergency situations.
Eastern Kentucky University’s program requires students to complete 36 credit hours. After completing the core courses, students can choose a concentration in one of three areas. The rest of their courses will reflect that choice. Before graduating, students will either complete a capstone project or a comprehensive exam.
Arizona State University
For another online option, Arizona State University offers a Master of Arts in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. This program provides students with the opportunity to complete their degree completely online in as little as one year. Students are also given the chance to work with faculty internationally in the United Kingdom and Australia.
This program consists of 33 required credit hours. Students are offered five concentrations to choose from, helping tailor their degree to their career goals. By the end of the program, graduates are guaranteed to have gained valuable knowledge about the inner workings of both emergency management and homeland security. This prepares them for a wide variety of jobs.
George Mason University (Schar)
George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia offers a unique option. Here, students can complete a Master of Arts in International Studies with a graduate certificate in emergency management and homeland security. Due to COVID-19, the program has moved to an entirely online format.
To complete this program, students will be required to complete 36 credit hours for the master of arts and an additional 15 credit hours for the certificate. The total of 49 credit hours includes 10 core courses and seven elective courses to be completed.
This degree program gives students the ability to study multiple different yet similar fields at the same time. It also opens up many more employment opportunities upon graduation.
George Washington University
At George Washington University in Washington, DC, you can earn a Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security. This program is offered entirely online and is taught by faculty who all have first-hand experience in the field. This brings a unique perspective to student learning.
George Washington University’s program focuses on educating students about counter-terrorism, emerging security threats, and intelligence analysis. There are also opportunities offered to students for career development in a wide variety of careers. For those interested in earning a bachelor’s degree online first, they offer a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Homeland Security.
Careers with a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security
After earning your master’s degree, you will likely be searching for the best possible career within the homeland security sector. Luckily, there are plenty of desirable positions available in homeland security and most that require a master’s degree pay very well. Some of these positions are as follows:
Supervisory Program Manager
Supervisory program managers make an average of $117,000 to $152,000 per year working for the Department of Homeland Security. This position gives you the responsibility of analyzing and advising on strategic issues to help optimize Customs and Border Protection’s workflow.
Emergency Management Specialist
Emergency management specialists make an average of $74,000 to $115,000 per year by managing and preparing for naturally occurring emergencies (wildfires, hurricanes, etc.) and man-made emergencies (terroristic attacks, technological incidents, etc.). This involves the establishment and reviewing of plans and policies. It also involves advising on the use of new technologies and systems.
Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence analysts are responsible for creating and implementing necessary security measures to protect an organization’s computer systems from cyberattacks. With a homeland security degree rather than a cybersecurity degree, an average is $87,000 to $110,000 per year.
Prison Warden
A less commonly thought of job is a prison warden. This position essentially involves running a prison. With a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security, you will easily bring in $130,000 to $180,000 per year.
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Information Technology Specialist
As an information technology specialist, you would be responsible for implementing and maintaining new information security frameworks and securing cloud databases. Working this job, you could expect a yearly salary of $90,000 to $117,000.
Conclusion
With a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security, you will be able to easily secure your dream job and make a fantastic salary. Choosing to earn your degree online is a great decision and choosing to earn it from one of the top nine programs listed above is even better. If security is your forte, you can’t go wrong with a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security.
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