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Homeland Security Degree for Military and Veterans

Homeland Security Degree for Military and Veterans

What is a Homeland Security Degree?

A Homeland Security Degree is a newer degree that focuses on protecting the county from various threats, including natural disasters, terrorism, and infrastructure issues. While Homeland Security is sometimes under the umbrella of Criminal Justice, and both involve public safety, they are very different.

Criminal Justice focuses on law enforcement, the legal system, crime, punishment, and rehabilitation. Homeland Security protects the United States’ infrastructure and communities against the threats mentioned above.

What can you do with a Homeland Security Degree?

Homeland Security and associated careers gained prominence after the attacks of September 11, 2001. While initially created in response to terrorism, a degree in the field now encompasses everything from cyber threats to natural and human-made disasters.

A person who has earned a Homeland Security Degree typically works for government agencies or private entities in fields like emergency management, law enforcement, and information security, among others.

Is a Homeland Security Degree Hard?

Like any other degree, it can be challenging, but a Homeland Security Degree is a rewarding education for someone passionate about community safety. As well as earring a standard degree, online degree and certification programs are also available.

Students typically have coursework in emergency response, criminal justice, emergency management, public safety, and environmental security but can choose their concentration—for example, cybersecurity, peacekeeping and security, terrorism, or anti-terrorism.

Is a Homeland Security Degree worth it?

Government agencies and private companies will always be in need of various types of security. Candidates can find plenty of lucrative work in a variety of industries. Local government agencies have the greatest number of jobs for degree holders, as does the protective service industry.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects increases across the board for the next decade in Homeland Security careers.

Associate’s Degree in Homeland Security

Through a Homeland Security Associate’s Degree, students can work in entry level positions  for government agencies or private companies. The required education level depends on the employer, but there are some entities that will hire students with Associate’s Degrees or trade school certifications for the following jobs.

Jobs you can obtain with an Associate's Degree in Homeland Security: 

Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Homeland Security

This Bachelor’s Degree can be in Arts or Sciences and typically takes about four years to complete. A BS degree in Homeland Security will have electives in the Social Sciences, while a BA may require courses in language.

Homeland Security Master’s Degrees are often obtained by students already working in a specific field. These graduate degrees vary greatly in what they require and the courses they cover. They can take as little as a few weeks or as much as two years to complete.

Jobs you can obtain with a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Homeland Security: 

Select VA-Approved Colleges with Homeland Security Programs

Lasell University- Lasell offers Certificate Programs and Master’s Degrees in Homeland Security. It has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and awards credit for the CLEP exam. Lasell University is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon program.

Alamo Colleges District- Alamo Colleges District offers Associate’s Degrees in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services. It has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and awards credit for the CLEP exam. Alamo Colleges District is a MyCAA-approved school.

National University- National University offers Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Homeland Security and has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for CLEP and  DSST exams and is approved for Tuition Assistance.  National University is a MyCAA and Yellow Ribbon-approved school.

Troy University- Troy University offers an Associate’s Degree in Homeland Security. It has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for CLEP and DSST exams and is approved for Tuition Assistance. Troy University is a MyCAA-approved school and a participant in the Yellow Ribbon program.