14 Best Online Associate’s in Homeland Security Programs

If you are interested in keeping America safe, you should consider a career in Homeland Security.

An Associate’s degree in Homeland Security is a great way to get started.

Department of Homeland Security Symbol

You’ll spend two years to get your degree.

Then, you’ll be prepared to start a new career in homeland security.

Positions include Immigration services, airport security, private security, border patrol agents, and cybersecurity agents.

You may also choose to work for law enforcement or an intelligence agency once you have your degree.

#1 Trident Technical College

About School

Trident Technical College offers affordable education, costing about half of the average tuition in South Carolina.

The community college offers more than 150 programs, including technical courses that prepare students for their careers, and transfer programs that allow you to continue your education at a 4-year university.

Courses Offered/Program Name

Trident Technical College offers The Homeland Security Management Associate in Applied Science.

This program requires 60 credit hours and takes 2 years to complete.

You’ll take 15 general education credits, including Government, English Composition, and a Mathematics/Natural Science course.

You’ll take 39 credit hours in the Homeland Security Major, including Criminal Justice Research Methods, Transportation and Border Security, and Public Health Emergency Preparedness.

Lastly, you’ll take 2 elective courses for 6 credit hours.

The total cost of the program is $4,534.

Contact Information


#2 Lamar Institute of Technology

About School

Lamar Institute of Technology is a two-year college.

The school has dropped its tuition by almost half in the last two years, making its programs affordable.

95% of students go on to find a career in their field or continue their education at a four-year university after graduating. ‘

Courses Offered/Program Name

Lamar Institute of Technology offers a few options in Homeland Security, including a certificate and associate degree.

It’s the first school to offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in Homeland Security approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

You’ll complete 60 credit hours, which typically takes 2 years to complete.

The Associate of Applied Science in Homeland Security focuses on emergency communications, emergency management, fire technology, and law enforcement.

Upon completion, you can be a Homeland Security Specialist or a Crime Scene Technician.

Contact Information


#3 Keiser University

About School

Keiser University offers on-campus, online, and hybrid classes.

They focus on hands-on learning that helps prepare students for their lives after graduation.

Keiser offers Associate, Bachelor, Master, Specialist, and Doctorate degrees.

Courses Offered/Program Name

Keiser University offers an Associate of Arts in Counterterrorism.

Once you graduate from the program, you’ll be qualified for an entry-level position in Homeland Security.

You’ll learn about Homeland Security, the different departments within Homeland Security, counterterrorism, and how to handle hazardous materials.

You’ll need to complete 60 credit hours.

24 hours are Homeland Security major courses, including Introduction to Cyber Terrorism, Bio-Terrorism, and Emergency Planning and Security Measures.

You’ll need 6 credits each in English, Natural Science, and Mathematics.

You’ll have 3 credit hours in Social Science, Humanities, Economics, Computers, Communications, and Behavioral Science.

Contact Information

  • Address: 1900 W. Commercial Blvd, Suite 100 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
  • Phone: 954-351-4040
  • Website: Visit School Website

#4 St. Petersburg College

About School

St. Petersburg College was recently ranked as the #1 online bachelor’s degree in Tampa by U.S. News and World Report.

The college provides programs that include certificate or diploma programs, associate, and Bachelor’s degree programs.

Courses Offered/Program Name

St. Petersburg College offers a Homeland Security and Emergency Management A.S. Degree.

It’s the first college to offer an Associate of Applied Science in Homeland Security that is fully online.

This program focuses on emergency management and also gives you knowledge and experience in homeland security.

You’ll learn to create emergency plans that meet local and federal guidelines.

You’ll be able to communicate as a crisis advisor, solve problems that arise, and execute emergency operations.

Courses include Weapons of Mass Destruction, Fire Prevention, Terrorism Response Planning, and Emergency Management Leadership.

You’ll also take general education courses, including Composition, Government, and Applied Ethics.

Contact Information


#5 Georgia Military College

About School

Georgia Military College was founded in 1879.

Its values are Duty, Honor, and Love of Country.

The school focuses on preparing students to be leaders and upstanding members of society.

They offer classes on campus, online, and hybrid options to fit a variety of lifestyles and goals.

Courses Offered/Program Name

Georgia Military College offers an associate’s degree in Homeland Security.

You’ll learn about terrorism studies, homeland security law, and policy, intelligence, and counterintelligence.

You’ll also learn about emergency management, strategic planning, and risk analysis.

After completing the program, you can start a career as a management analyst, private security, airport security, and EMTs and Paramedics.

You may also go into law enforcement, including FBI, DEA, and customs agents.

Students generally pay $13,230 – $14,406 for this degree.

Contact Information

  • Address: 201 East Greene Street Milledgeville, GA 31061
  • Phone: 478-387-4900
  • Website: Visit School Website

#6 Central Texas College

About School

Central Texas College offers several options for taking their programs.

You can attend class on campus, online, or a blend of both.

Online programs can be taken in real-time, which requires you to attend online lectures at scheduled times, and self-paced options.

They offer certificate and associate degree programs.

Courses Offered/Program Name

Central Texas College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

The program requires 60 credit hours and takes 2 years to complete.

You’ll take general education courses, including Composition, Humanities, and Mathematics.

Major courses include Homeland Security Emergency Communications Management, Principles of Basic Emergency Management, Homeland Security Intelligence Operations, and Understanding and Combating Terrorism.

Contact Information


#7 SUNY Broome Community College

About School

SUNY Broome Community College is a public community college that’s part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, serving students from across New York State and beyond.

The college offers a wide range of associate degrees and certificate programs, with options for both career preparation and transfer to four-year schools.

Courses Offered/Program Name

The Associate of Science in Homeland Security & Emergency Management at SUNY Broome prepares students for entry-level roles and further study in fields related to homeland security, emergency management, public safety, and criminal justice.

This program blends SUNY general education with specialized coursework in hazard prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery, law enforcement interfaces, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency planning.

Students develop critical thinking, professional readiness, and ethical decision-making skills that are useful in government agencies and private sector security or emergency response roles.

Over 50% of the degree can be completed online, offering flexibility while still benefiting from instruction by experienced faculty.

The program also supports transfer opportunities to four-year institutions for students who want to continue toward a bachelor’s degree in homeland security, emergency management, or related disciplines.

Contact Information


#8 Ashland University

About School

Ashland University, a private nonprofit in Ohio, offers flexible online and on-campus programs with a focus on personalized education and career readiness.

The university is regionally accredited and emphasizes practical, real-world learning.

Courses Offered/Program Name

The A.A. in Emergency Management & Homeland Security is a 60-credit online associate degree that prepares students for entry-level roles in public safety, disaster response, and security.

Courses cover emergency preparedness, homeland security agencies, critical infrastructure protection, and mitigation, with options to transfer into a bachelor’s program.

Contact Information


#9 Waldorf University

About School

Waldorf University is a private Liberal Arts University located in Southern Iowa.

The school was founded more than 100 years ago, giving it a rich history.

They offer a variety of certificate, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs.

Waldorf believes that a complete education consists of academics, arts, and social activities.

Courses Offered/Program Name

Waldorf University offers an Associate of Arts in Homeland Security.

The program requires 60 credit hours and takes 2 years of full-time study to complete.

After completing the program, students can choose to continue their studies to get their Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Waldorf requires a much higher concentration of general education courses than most associate programs.

You’ll take a total of 48 hours in General Education, including 9 credit hours in English and Arts and Humanities.

You’ll need 3 credit hours in Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

6 credit hours are required in Social Sciences Religion and Philosophy.

Major courses include Introduction to Terrorism, Terrorism Response Operations, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Disaster Planning and Management.

Contact Information


#10 New England College

About School

New England College (NEC) is a private, nonprofit liberal arts college located in Henniker, New Hampshire, founded in 1946.

Originally established to support service members pursuing education after World War II, NEC has grown into a diverse institution offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across multiple disciplines.

The college is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and is known for its flexible online offerings, military‑friendly support services, and an experiential approach to learning that integrates academic theory with real‑world applications.

NEC emphasizes small class sizes and access to experienced faculty who bring professional insights to online classrooms.

Courses Offered/Program Name

The Associate in Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness at New England College is a fully 100% online associate degree designed to prepare students for entry‑level work or further study in homeland security, crisis management, emergency preparedness, and related fields.

The program helps you develop a strong foundation in foundational homeland security principles, the relationship between security and the political process, analytical and advocacy skills, and crisis leadership, all through flexible online coursework with seven‑week terms that allow you to focus on one class at a time.

Students benefit from instruction by faculty who actively work in homeland security and preparedness domains and can leverage the degree as a stepping stone toward NEC’s bachelor’s and master’s programs.

Contact Information


#11 Campbell University

About School

Campbell University offers more than 150 programs across 10 departments.

They offer a wide variety of undergraduate programs, and plenty of adult and online education degrees as well.

Campbell is a private Christian university located in the heart of North Carolina.

Courses Offered/Program Name

Campbell University is proud to offer the only bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security in North Carolina.

The Bachelor’s program requires 124 credit hours and typically takes 4 years to complete.

They also offer an Associate of Science degree in Homeland Security, which requires 62 credit hours.

This degree can be completed in 2 years.

Campbell also requires a heavy concentration of general education courses. 40 hours will be devoted to general courses, including Fine Arts, Academic Writing, Science, Math, and Introduction to Christianity.

Homeland Security courses include Terrorism, Intelligence, Homeland Security, National and International Security, and Emergency Management.

Contact Information


#12 Community College of Allegheny County

About School

The Community College of Allegheny County, also known as CCAC, is a community college.

It was founded in 1967 in Pennsylvania.

The college focuses on providing education that can allow you to begin a career or transfer to a four-year institution after graduation.

Courses Offered/Program Name

The Community College of Allegheny County provides an Associate of Science in Homeland Security.

Once you graduate, you’ll be ready to be a homeland security professional.

You may work in various positions, including in border, airport, and seaport security.

You may also choose to work in the intelligence field, disaster or emergency response, or technology security.

You’ll need at least 61 credits to graduate.

You can expect the program to take 2 years.

Courses include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Perspectives on Terrorism, Introduction to Psychology, Emergency Services, and Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Contact Information


#13 Pierce College

About School

Pierce College is an anti-racist institution.

They welcome a diverse array of students to create leaders for local and global communities.

They offer a variety of career pathways, which help prepare students for a career after graduation.

Courses Offered/Program Name

The Emergency Management Associate of Science degree prepares students for a career in emergency management or homeland security.

The program consists of 93 credit hours, which can be completed in 6 terms if you study full-time.

Courses you’ll take include Foundations of Emergency Management, Public Administration, All Hazards Emergency Planning, Emergency Response Awareness to Terrorism, and Emergency Operations.

General Education courses include Productivity Software, Math, English and Composition, Humanities and Cultural Awareness, Communications, and Natural Sciences with Lab.

Contact Information

  • Address: 9401 Farwest Drive SW, Lakewood, Washington 98498
  • Phone: 253-964-6500
  • Website: Visit School Website

#14 Idaho State University

About School

Idaho State University is a public, regionally accredited university offering flexible online programs designed for working adults and remote learners.

The school emphasizes practical, career-ready education at affordable tuition rates.

Courses Offered/Program Name

The online A.S. in Homeland Security & Emergency Management introduces students to emergency preparedness, threat mitigation, disaster response, and community resilience.

It combines general education with specialized HSEM coursework, preparing graduates for entry-level roles or transfer into a bachelor’s program.

Contact Information


Schools Summary Table

Rank School
#1Trident Technical College
#2Lamar Institute of Technology
#3Keiser University
#4St. Petersburg College
#5Georgia Military College
#6Central Texas College
#7SUNY Broome Community College
#8Ashland University
#9Waldorf University
#10New England College
#11Campbell University
#12Community College of Allegheny County
#13Pierce College
#14Idaho State University
Chelsea Wilson
Chelsea Wilson is the Community Relations Manager for Washington University School of Law’s distance learning LLM degree program, which provides foreign trained attorneys with the opportunity to earn a Master of Laws degree from a top-tier American university from anywhere in the world.

7 Responses to 14 Best Online Associate’s in Homeland Security Programs

  1. N
    Nora Glover #

    I’m currently considering a career change and exploring different legal career paths. Homeland security is an area that has always intrigued me, and having a list of the best online associate’s programs makes the decision-making process much easier.

  2. H
    Helena Fischer #

    As someone passionate about law and order, I find the prospect of pursuing a legal career in homeland security quite exciting. This list is a great starting point for anyone looking to enter this field. It’s reassuring to see that there are quality online associate’s programs available, providing flexibility for those who may be working or have other commitments.

  3. K
    Kelsey Thomas #

    It’s great to see the variety of programs available online for those interested in homeland security.

  4. R
    Robert Davis #

    This gives flexibility to students who may already be working or have other commitments.

  5. J
    Jackson McGuirre #

    These online associate’s programs in homeland security are a testament to innovation and dedication! Offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, they empower students to make a real difference in protecting our nation’s security. A fantastic opportunity for those with a calling to serve.

  6. S
    Susan Wright #

    By combining convenience with excellence, they provide a pathway for individuals to pursue their passion for keeping our communities safe. Kudos to these institutions for their commitment to excellence!

  7. E
    Elliot #

    I went to Campbell University about 10 years ago, and it was the best decision I could’ve made for my career.

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