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- The Best Online Bachelor’s in Homeland Security Programs in the US
- #1 Saint Leo University - Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice with Homeland Security Concentration
- #2 Arizona State University Online
- #3 Wichita State University
- #4 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- #5 University of Maryland Global Campus
- #6 Southern New Hampshire University Online - Criminal Justice BS in Counterterrorism
- #7 PennState World Campus
- #8 Grand Canyon University
- #9 Mercer University
- #10 Sam Houston State University
- #11 Northeastern State University
- #12 DeSales University
- #13 University of Kansas
- #14 Thomas Edison State University
- #15 Marian University
- #16 Waldorf University
- Schools Summary Table
- Key Takeaway
- Frequently Asked Questions
Homeland Security professionals are at the forefront of America’s fight for safeguarding our nation’s safety.
The US Department of Homeland Security hires and trains qualified citizens to protect our borders, waterways, seaports, and airports from hidden threats like terrorist attacks, cyber-attacks, and natural disasters.
Today’s Homeland Security professionals can work in law enforcement, digital intelligence, and information technology agencies upon completing an approved Bachelor’s degree program.
The guide below provides an overview of some of the US’s best Online Homeland Security Programs.
The Best Online Bachelor’s in Homeland Security Programs in the US
#1 Saint Leo University - Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice with Homeland Security Concentration
About the Program
Students who enroll in the Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Program awarded by Saint Leo University can earn a concentration in Homeland Security with customized degree tracks for emergency management, forensic accounting, and terrorism studies.
The FBI National Academy Associates approve Saint Leo’s 120 credit hour bachelor’s degree program to prepare students to enter the field of Homeland Security.
Their Criminal Justice Bachelor of Arts program provides 39 hours of criminal justice education.
It offers field placement for students without prior work experience.
Courses Offered
- Theories of Criminal Behavior
- Substantive Criminal Law
- Introduction to Law and the Legal System
- Police Organization and Administration
- Survey of the Criminal Justice System
- Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior
- Forensic Psychology
- International Law and Organizations
Program Cost: $26,050.00+
Contact Information
- Address: 33701 County Road 52, Saint Leo, Florida 33574
- Phone: 352-588-8200
- Website: Visit School Website
#2 Arizona State University Online
About the Program
ASU Online teaches Homeland Security students the fundamentals of sociology, government policy, leadership, and foundational coursework needed to earn a Bachelor of Emergency Management and Public Service and Policy with a concentration in Homeland Security.
This comprehensive online course comprises 120 hours of coursework in forty classes that can apply to a bachelor’s or an accelerated master of Arts from ASU.
HS students will learn to develop leadership skills to prepare for local, state, and national emergencies, identifying risks, risk mitigation strategies, and recovery strategies.
Courses Offered
- Homeland Security
- Public Service and Policy in the 21st Century
- Leadership and Change
- American Government and Politics
- Public Service Research Methods
- Emergency Management
- Cultural Diversity in the US
- Upper Division Emergency Management & Homeland Security Concentration
- Public Service Ethics
Program Costs: $3,770.00+
Contact Information
- Address: 411 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona - 85004
- Phone: 855-278-5080
- Website: Visit School Website
#3 Wichita State University
About the Program
Wichita State University’s Criminal Justice Program is one of the longest-running programs in the US.
They deliver their criminal justice education via a self-paced online format that lasts between eight and sixteen weeks per session.
They offer a complete four-year Bachelor of Science degree training program and accept transfer credits for active students.
Online students pay the same tuition as in-state students.
Courses Offered
- Cybersecurity
- Intelligence Processes
- Emergency Management
- Criminal Procedure
- The History of US Homeland Security
- Digital Investigations
- Spanish for Law Enforcement
- Private Security
Program Costs: $241.45 per credit hour + materials and fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, Kansas - 67260
- Phone: 316-978-3456
- Website: Visit School Website
#4 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
About the School
Embry-Riddle is world-renowned for its focus on aviation, aerospace, and security studies.
Their online programs make it easy to study from anywhere, and they have a strong reputation with employers in the federal and private security sectors.
Courses Offered
The program covers topics like risk assessment, intelligence analysis, cyber threats, and emergency management.
You can also tailor your degree with electives in aviation security, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity.
Program Cost
Tuition is approximately $485 per credit hour for undergraduates, though rates may vary slightly.
The school also offers scholarships and financial aid options to help offset costs.
Contact Information
- Address: Aerospace Boulevard Daytona Beach, FL 32114
- Phone: 800-862-2416
- Website: Visit School Website
#5 University of Maryland Global Campus
About the Program
Students seeking careers in Homeland Security can take classes online at Maryland’s UMGC.
They offer a 120-credit bachelor’s degree that teaches the fundamentals of homeland security related to digital attacks and cyber threats, protection of the national infrastructure, intelligence operations, and managing global pandemics and natural disasters.
Students will learn skills needed for Homeland Security-based careers.
Core program courses for Homeland Security majors encompass 33 credits of this 120-credit-hour program.
Other courses include general education courses and electives.
Courses Offered
- Public Safety Leadership
- Introduction to Homeland Security
- Legal and Political Issues of Homeland Security
- Strategic Planning in Homeland Security
- Public Safety Research and Technology
- Homeland Security and Intelligence
- Information Systems in Organizations
Program Costs: $7,704.00-$12,336.00
Contact Information
- Address: 3501 University Boulevard East, Adelphi, Maryland - 20783
- Phone: 855-655-8682
- Website: Visit School Website
#6 Southern New Hampshire University Online - Criminal Justice BS in Counterterrorism
About the Program
SNHU has a comprehensive online bachelor of science degree program that teaches students about the history of homeland security and terrorism in the United States.
This online career degree program emphasizes homeland security careers focused on intelligence and counterintelligence.
Students who take online homeland security classes learn various skills, including the history of espionage and how to gather and analyze intelligence to help them protect and maintain safety for US citizens.
The SNHU online bachelor’s degree program offers life experience credit towards an accelerated bachelor’s degree for some law enforcement professionals, including police officers who have completed police academy training.
Courses Offered
- Cultural Awareness in Criminal Justice
- Introduction to Homeland Security and Counterterrorism
- Problem-solving for Criminal Justice Professionals
- Intelligence and Counterintelligence
- Terrorism in the United States
- Criminology
- The History of Homeland Security
- Security Management
- Victimology
Program Costs: $231.00 – $330.00 per credit hour.
*This program offers tuition discounts for qualified US service members and their spouses.
Contact Information
- Address: 2500 North River Road, Manchester, New Hampshire - 03106
- Phone: 800-327-7648
- Website: Visit School Website
#7 PennState World Campus
About the Program
The Pennsylvania State’s World Campus offers Homeland Security students options for completing their studies online.
The World Campus has 16 homeland security degree concentrations for careers in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, agricultural biosecurity, and food defense.
PennState students can also earn a homeland security certificate or complete an undergraduate minor in Homeland Security with a concentration in security policy, operations, and emergency management.
Penn State’s undergraduate minor in HS studies is a supplement to Bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice organizational leadership and majors in political science.
Courses Offered
- Critical Infrastructure Protection
- Security Administration
- Homeland Security Intelligence
- The Intelligence Environment
- The Politics of Terrorism
- Border Security
- Homeland Security Internship
Program Costs: $626.00-$671.00 per credit hour.
Contact Information
- Address: 128 Outreach Building, University Park, Pennsylvania - 16802
- Phone: 717-948-6322
- Website: Visit School Website
#8 Grand Canyon University
About the Program
Grand Canyon University prepares students for beginning careers as Homeland Security professionals.
Their online Bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offer students general education skills for effective communication and critical thinking.
Their core courses prepare students for emergency management-based careers in America’s criminal justice and Homeland Security environments.
Students who complete this program online will learn how to assess, recognize, and respond to emergencies.
They will also learn what drives terrorism and discover counterterrorism techniques.
The GCU online degree program encompasses 120 credits, with 36 credits required for the HS major and an emergency management concentration.
Courses Offered
- Emergency Response and Operation Techniques
- Hazard Mitigation Planning
- Disaster Recovery
- Organizational Behavior and Management
- Terrorism Prevention
- Project Management
- Protection and Security
Program Costs: $250.00 – $485.00 per credit
Contact Information
- Address: 3300 West Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona - 85017
- Phone: 1-855-428-5673
- Website: Visit School Website
#9 Mercer University
About the School
Mercer University in Georgia is a private school with strong programs in public safety and emergency management.
Their online offerings allow students to advance their careers without relocating.
Courses Offered
Curriculum includes emergency planning, disaster response, risk management, and cybersecurity fundamentals.
Students also work on case studies and projects simulating real emergency scenarios.
Program Cost
Tuition is approximately $525 per credit hour.
Mercer offers financial aid, including scholarships and payment plans for online students.
Contact Information
- Address: 3001 Mercer University Drive Atlanta, GA 30341
- Phone: 800-637-2378
- Website: Visit School Website
#10 Sam Houston State University
About the School
Sam Houston State University in Texas is known for its criminal justice and security programs.
The online option is flexible, making it ideal for working adults or students balancing other responsibilities.
Courses Offered
Students explore emergency management, terrorism, critical infrastructure protection, and public safety leadership.
The program emphasizes practical skills to prepare for real-world homeland security roles.
Program Cost
Tuition for online undergraduates is around $345 per credit hour for out-of-state students, with in-state rates lower.
Financial aid and scholarships are available.
Contact Information
- Address: 1905 University Ave, Huntsville, TX 77340
- Phone: 936-294-1111
- Website: Visit School Website
#11 Northeastern State University
About the Program
Northeastern State University in Oklahoma has an online Bachelor’s degree and a minor in Homeland Security and Emergency Management for students looking to start a career in the American Law System.
Students learn how to assess the needs of US-based organizations and take a deep dive into the relationship between Homeland Security and the US political system.
They also offer a Cybersecurity BS degree where students learn how to protect their fellow citizens from cyberattacks and other digital threats.
Their online HS degree programs are available through the Tahlequah, Broken Arrow, and Online campuses.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Homeland Security
- Terrorism
- Disaster Response Operations and Management
- Seminars in Homeland Security
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Emergency and Disaster Planning
- Intelligence Collection and Analysis
- Crisis Communications for Emergency Managers
Program Costs: $256.15 – $600.90 per credit hour.
*This program has scholarship and financial aid options available for qualified students.
Contact Information
- Address: 600 North Grand Avenue - Tahlequah, Oklahoma - 74464
- Phone: 918-456-5511
- Website: Visit School Website
#12 DeSales University
About the School
DeSales University, based in Pennsylvania, provides a supportive online learning environment and a focus on applied knowledge.
They emphasize preparing students for professional careers in security and emergency management.
Courses Offered
Students take classes in terrorism studies, cybercrime, digital forensics, intelligence analysis, and public safety policy.
There’s a focus on both theory and hands-on skills.
Program Cost
Tuition is roughly $500 per credit hour for online students.
DeSales also offers financial aid and scholarship options for qualifying students.
Contact Information
- Address: 2755 Station Avenue Center Valley, PA 18034
- Phone: 610-282-1100
- Website: Visit School Website
#13 University of Kansas
About the Program
Aspiring Homeland Security students passionate about resolving and preventing online threats can take classes at the University of Kansas via its Edwards Campus to earn a Bachelor in Applied Science degree in cybersecurity.
This program emphasizes immersive training and hands-on education in information technology-based environments.
They accept transfer credits to apply toward this 120-hour online Bachelor’s degree.
The UK says students completing this 100% online bachelor’s degree can find work as one of the following.
- Cybersecurity Manager
- Security Architect
- IT Auditor
- Digital Forensic Examiner
- Cryptography Engineer
Program Costs: Please contact the program directly for current tuition and fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 12600 Quivra Road, Overland Park, Kansas - 66213
- Phone: 913-897-8400
- Website: Visit School Website
#14 Thomas Edison State University
About the Program
Thomas Edison State University has an accredited Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Their program offers Bachelor’s degree-seeking students foundational knowledge in the form of general education courses for English literacy, mathematics, and the social sciences.
Core courses for the HS degree program include coursework that educates students on the foundation of the American justice system, government, and the politics that govern human behavior.
Students will also learn about leadership techniques, organizational behavior, terrorism, counterterrorism, and how to prepare, prevent, and deter state, local, and national emergencies.
Courses Offered
- American Government
- Criminology
- Foundations of Leadership
- Organizational Behavior
- Terrorism
- War and American Society
- Homeland Security: Preparedness, Prevention, and Deterrence
- White-Collar Crime
- International Relations
Program Costs: $3,319.00 – $4,299.00
*This program offers financial aid and scholarships to qualified students.
Contact Information
- Address: 111 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08608
- Phone: 609-777-5680
- Website: Visit School Website
#15 Marian University
About the School
Marian University in Indiana is a smaller private institution, known for close student support and flexible online learning.
Their homeland security program prepares students for local, state, and federal security roles.
Courses Offered
Courses include emergency management, disaster response, homeland security policy, and threat assessment.
Students also complete practical projects to apply their knowledge.
Program Cost
Online tuition is about $395 per credit hour.
Marian offers financial aid packages, including scholarships and grants, to help students manage costs.
Contact Information
- Address: 3200 Cold Spring Road Indianapolis, IN 46222-1997
- Phone: 317-955-6000
- Website: Visit School Website
#16 Waldorf University
About the School
Waldorf University in Iowa offers an affordable, flexible online education.
Their homeland security program is designed for working adults and those seeking practical skills for security careers.
Courses Offered
The program covers emergency preparedness, risk analysis, public safety management, and counterterrorism.
Students can gain hands-on experience through case studies and applied projects.
Program Cost
Tuition is approximately $370 per credit hour.
Waldorf also provides scholarships and financial aid options for online students.
Contact Information
- Address: 106 S 6th St, Forest City, IA 50436
- Phone: 877-267-2157
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Key Takeaway
The best online programs provide students with the practical knowledge and fundamental skills needed to begin working in the field of Homeland Security.
Most online programs offer students the flexibility to take classes from the comforts of their home or office at their own pace.
The online Bachelor’s degree programs below are examples of accredited US programs that put students on track toward earning undergraduate degrees in Homeland Security.
Each program has its own admissions requirements, general education requirements, and core courses.
Homeland Security Specializations and Bachelor’s Degree Concentrations:
- Acquisition and Procurement
- Cybersecurity
- Health and Science
- Intelligence and Analysis
- Law Enforcement
- Legal
- Public Affairs
Talk to the program director or an academic advisor from your program of choice to learn about homeland security specializations, financial aid options for qualified students, and how to get on-the-job placement assistance with some of America’s top criminal justice agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if the curriculum is right for me?
Look for programs that offer concentrations or electives aligned with your career goals, for example, cyber threats, emergency management, or intelligence analysis.
What should I consider about cost and flexibility?
Compare tuition, fees, and transfer-credit policies. Also, check whether classes are asynchronous (study anytime) or synchronous (set times), especially if you work or have other commitments.
Do internships or practical experiences matter?
Yes!
Programs that include internships, capstones, or applied learning projects give you hands-on experience and can improve job prospects after graduation.
How do I pick the best program overall?
Balance accreditation, curriculum, flexibility, cost, and career support.
Choose a program that fits your personal schedule, learning style, and career goals.
With the evolving landscape of national security threats, pursuing a legal career in Homeland Security is both challenging and rewarding. These online programs offer flexibility without compromising quality.
Interesting list! I’m researching about this for my son who wants to pursue this career and I support him very much.
I’m working on getting my requirements, thank you for this! I think I’m going to go with WSU.
Embry-Riddle is the way to go.
I’ve been weighing different online homeland security bachelor’s programs and this really clarified the kinds of classes and career paths involved. Seeing variety from emergency response to cyber threats helped me decide where I want to focus my career plans.