The increase in domestic and global threats, the rise of extremism, the increase in global disasters, and various other threats led to the development of a strong focus on homeland security.
Professionals who work in the field of homeland security complete rigorous training and education.
These best master’s degree programs in homeland security prepare tomorrow’s leaders in the field.
Prospective students in a master’s of homeland security program need to consider whether the right program for them is a traditional on-campus program or an online format program.
Some programs are offered in a hybrid format.
Consider these Best Master’s in Homeland Security programs.
Take your place among the future leaders in the field or advance your career in homeland security.
1 Sam Houston State University
About the School
Sam Houston State University recognizes that students have diverse needs.
The school offers its Master of Science in Homeland Security Studies program in both an on-campus format and an online format.
Courses Offered
The Master of Science in Homeland Security Studies program at Sam Houston State University prepares students to work in positions that meet the needs of homeland security in the private sector and in the government.
The program consists of 36 credit hours of study.
It is offered in the fall and spring terms.
The program’s focus is to develop professionals who are thinkers, leaders, managers, and analysts.
The professionals need to have expertise in all dimensions of homeland security.
Courses include Global Perspectives in Homeland Security, Information and Intel Management, Cybersecurity, Emergency Management Integration, and Critical Infrastructure Protection.
Contact Information
- Address: 1528 Avenue J, Huntsville, TX., 77340
- Phone: 936-294-1111
- Website: Visit School Website
2 George Washington University
About the School
George Washington University recognizes the important role of homeland security.
The university’s College of Professional Studies offers the Homeland Security Master of Professional Studies program.
Courses Offered
The George Washington University Homeland Security Master of Professional Studies program has a cutting-edge curriculum.
It examines policy and practices as they relate to national and information security in both the private and public sectors.
Students gain a “full field view” of current threats and emerging threats.
They prepare to face those threats while maintaining the best practices of the field.
Courses in the program, which can be completed in just 16 months, include Information System Protection, Political Violence and Terrorism, Emergency Management and Crisis Communication, Intelligence and Strategic Analysis, and Globalization of Threats and International Security.
Contact Information
- Address: 805 21st Street NW, Suite 301, Washington, DC, 20052
- Phone: 202-994-2083
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Arizona State University Online
About the School
Arizona State University Online was ranked #1 in the U.S. for innovation by U.S. News and World Report.
The school offers an Online Master of Arts in Emergency Management and Homeland Security program.
Courses Offered
Courses in the 33-credit Master of Arts in Emergency Management and Homeland Security program at Arizona State University Online assist criminal justice professionals in advancing their careers.
Examples of careers that these professionals work in include law enforcement, public safety, emergency management, disaster management, and recovery.
Many homeland security professionals work in government agencies.
Courses offered in the online program include Integrated Emergency Management, Applied Data Analysis in Criminal Justice, Geographic Information Systems for Hazard Analysis, Hazards Governance, Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Homeland Security.
Contact Information
- Address: 350 E. Lemon St., Tempe, AZ., 85287
- Phone: 866-277-6589
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Texas A&M University – Central Texas
About the School
Texas A&M University – Central Texas realizes that homeland security professionals need specialized knowledge and skills.
The university offers an on-campus Master of Science in Homeland Security (MSHS) program to prepare homeland security professionals for their critical role in addressing threats around the country and around the world.
Courses Offered
Courses in the Master of Science in Homeland Security program at Texas A&M University prepare students to work in homeland security or other specialized areas of criminal justice or to become educators in the field of homeland security.
The program is offered with a thesis option and a non-thesis option.
Topics covered in the program include homeland security, cybersecurity, emergency management, terrorism, and research methods.
Some of the courses include International Terrorism, Cybersecurity, Advanced Research, Conflict, and Domestic Terrorism.
Contact Information
- Address: 1001 Leadership Place, Killeen Texas, 76549
- Phone: 979-845-3211
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Purdue University Global
About the School
Purdue University Global understands that all students cannot complete their degree in a traditional face-to-face setting.
The university offers the accredited Online Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management program.
Courses Offered
The online Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management program at Purdue University Global provides students with the leadership skills and the in-depth knowledge that they need to excel in the field of homeland security and in emergency management.
The curriculum covers topics such as homeland defense, regulation and law, the politics of security, and interagency cooperation.
Courses in the 55-credit program include Risk, Vulnerability, and Capability Assessment Methods, Homeland Security Policies, Principles, Procedures, and Plans, and Crisis and Emergency Management Fundamentals.
Contact Information
- Address: 1100 3rd St., Lafayette, IN., 47907
- Phone: 765-494-4600
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Center for Homeland Defense and Security
About the School
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Preparedness Directorate, along with the Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security, and FEMA, offer a Master of Arts in Homeland Security program for eligible students.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the Center for Homeland Defense and Security Master of Arts (M.A.) program are eligible local, state, tribal, territorial, and federal officials, who complete the program at no cost.
The program, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), prepares leaders who know how to develop the policies, strategies, programs, and plans that help to prevent terrorist attacks in the U.S. Students also gain the skills and knowledge to reduce the country’s vulnerability to other types of homeland security threats.
Program completion requires 18 months of continuous enrollment, the completion of courses, and a thesis.
Some program courses include Introduction to Homeland Security, Technology for Homeland Security, Unconventional Threats to Homeland Security, and Multi-Discipline Approaches to Homeland Security.
Contact Information
- Address: Various locations
- Phone: 831-402-4672
- Website: Visit School Website
7 University of Maryland Global Campus
About the School
The University of Maryland Global Campus is a member of the University System of Maryland.
The school offers an online Master’s in Management Specialization in Homeland Security Management program.
Courses Offered
Learn the skills and knowledge that are critical for professionals who work in homeland security.
Protect against domestic and international threats.
Topics covered in the curriculum include cybersecurity, intelligence, emerging technology integration, international engagement, and transportation security.
The 36-credit program prepares graduates to assume roles in homeland security that involve risk and threat assessments, cybersecurity, development of strategies for the protection of individuals, facilities, and critical infrastructure.
Courses in the program include Organizational Theory and Behavior, Concepts in Homeland Security, Information Technology in Emergency Management, and Biosecurity and Bioterrorism.
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 Hilltop Cir., College Park, MD., 20742
- Phone: 855-655-8682
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Thomas Edison State University
About the School
Thomas Edison State University recently celebrated 50 years of providing excellence in the education of college students.
The university offers a Master of Science in Homeland Security (MSHS) degree.
Courses Offered
Thomas Edison State University believes that it offers a unique curriculum in its Master of Science in Homeland Security program.
The curriculum covers federal homeland security, domestic and global threats and issues, risk assessment, and intelligence.
Students who enroll in the program want to enhance their knowledge in areas such as the day-to-day operations of homeland security operations as it applies to domestic and international safety and homeland security operations.
Some courses offered in the 36-credit hour program include Foundations of Homeland Security, International Legal and Ethical Issues, Program Analysis and Evaluation, and Funding and Program Administration for Homeland Security.
Contact Information
- Address: 111 W. State St., Trenton, NJ., 08608
- Phone: 609-777-5680
- Website: Visit School Website
9 Virginia Commonwealth University
About the School
Virginia Commonwealth University developed the nation’s first homeland security and emergency preparedness program.
The school educates students in the Master of Arts in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness program to become leaders against domestic and global threats.
Courses Offered
Students who are enrolled in the Online Master of Arts in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness program at Virginia Commonwealth University gain theoretical and practical knowledge.
The program curriculum prepares them to work in a variety of positions in the ever-increasing field of homeland security.
The 100 percent online program, which takes an interdisciplinary approach, consists of 36 credit hours of study.
Students develop excellent communication skills.
They analyze topics that relate to natural disasters, emergency preparedness, and terrorism.
Some courses in the program include Survey of Terrorism, Risk Assessment, Research Methods Homeland Security, and Emergency Preparedness.
Students also complete Law Enforcement Policy and Judicial Precedent, Survey of Cybersecurity, and a Capstone Seminar.
Contact Information
- Address: 1111 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23284
- Phone: 804-828-6786
- Website: Visit School Website
10 Long Island University Riverhead
About the School
The Long Island University Master of Science in Homeland Security Management is the only degree program to be designated as a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence.
Long Island University Riverhead is located on the Suffolk County Community College Eastern Campus.
Courses Offered
The 30-credit Master of Science in Homeland Security Management program at Long Island University Riverhead provides students with the advanced knowledge, skills, and insight that they need to become leaders in the field of homeland security management.
Students learn the practices, policies, and challenges that confront professionals who work in homeland security.
Courses in the program include Introduction to Homeland Security Management, The Intelligence Function in Homeland Security Management, Homeland Security and the Private Sector, and Cybersecurity: Issues, Policy, and Terrorism.
Some other courses include Domestic and International Terrorism, Advanced Cybersecurity – Technology Issues for Policy Makers, and Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Disasters and Terrorism.
Contact Information
- Address: 121 Speonk Riverhead Rd., Riverhead, New York, 11901
- Phone: 631-287-8010
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
The inclusion of factors such as faculty expertise, research opportunities, and real-world applications of the curriculum is particularly useful. It’s clear that a lot of thought and research went into compiling this list, making it an excellent guide for prospective students. Your detailed review has made my search for the right program much easier and more focused. Thank you for providing such a valuable and thorough guide!
As someone who is deeply interested in advancing my career in this field, I found the detailed descriptions of each program immensely helpful. It’s great to see a breakdown of the curriculum, unique features, and career opportunities associated with each program. The comparisons between different institutions and their specializations provide valuable insights that help in making an informed decision.
I’ve been researching Homeland Security programs, and this post really simplifies the process. Appreciate the insights!
This is exactly what I needed! The rankings and descriptions make it so much easier to choose the right program. Thanks for sharing!
So helpful! It’s great to have a clear comparison of top programs all in one place. Thanks for the detailed breakdown!