2026 Best Online Homeland Security Degrees
See which online homeland security bachelor's degree stands out according to verified student reviews.
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The best online homeland security degree builds skills in emergency management, risk assessment, security, and disaster response. Verified student feedback offers added context for comparing bachelor's programs.
Key Takeaways:
- Student sentiment is exceptionally strong across this homeland security ranking. Every school earns a rating of at least 3.81.
- Recommendation rates frequently tell a different story than overall ratings. Elizabeth City State earns unanimous recommendations despite ranking fourth, while Idaho State ranks last but has a 90% recommendation rate.
Following the ranking below, we also spoke with a homeland security expert who shared some advice about the field.
How We Rank "Best" Schools
The OnlineU research team verifies that only institutionally accredited schools offering at least one fully online bachelor's in homeland security degree make the cut. On top of that, schools must also have at least five verified student reviews and an aggregate rating of 2.5+ on a five-point scale. While some of our rankings include partner schools, every school is evaluated using the exact same criteria.
We prioritize the most relevant student feedback by starting with reviews tied to the exact program and degree level. If too few bachelor's in homeland security qualify, we gradually expand the review pool to include related programs or other degree levels, while preserving the most program-specific results at the top of the list. This process continues until all eligible review data has been considered.
We also manually research all tuition rates and include median earnings for homeland security majors five years after graduation when that data is available. By presenting the most complete data available, we aim to give you an honest, well-rounded picture of each program.
2026 Best Online Homeland Security Degrees
| Rank | School | Review Rating | Recommendation | 100% | $8,340 | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University, Online | 4.76 / 5 | 100% | $17,400 | N/A | ||
| Waldorf University | 4.47 / 5 | 95% | $10,200 | N/A | ||
| Elizabeth City State University | 4.3 / 5 | 100% | $1,000 | N/A | ||
| Sam Houston State University | 4.17 / 5 | 94% | $10,350 | N/A | ||
| Purdue Global | 4.17 / 5 | 83% | $11,130 | N/A | ||
| Texas Southern University | 4.06 / 5 | 88% | $8,937 | N/A | ||
| University of Arizona | 4.05 / 5 | 96% | $15,750 | $60,515 | ||
| Angelo State University | 4.01 / 5 | 89% | $7,119 | $48,134 | ||
| Mercer University | 4.0 / 5 | 89% | $16,830 | N/A | ||
| Trident University International | 4.0 / 5 | 75% | $12,450 | N/A | ||
| Campbell University | 3.97 / 5 | 93% | $13,950 | $58,498 | ||
| University of Maryland Global Campus | 3.92 / 5 | 71% | $9,900 | N/A | ||
| Regent University Online | 3.83 / 5 | 83% | $11,850 | N/A | ||
| Idaho State University | 3.81 / 5 | 90% | $8,910 | N/A |
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- Students rated CSU's program as the best online homeland security bachelor's degree, and even with well over 200 verified student reviews just for this school, it has a unanimous recommendation rate.
- Online homeland security courses delve into weapons of mass destruction, terrorism response operations, cybersecurity management, critical infrastructure protection, and disaster planning.
- The program culminates in a dedicated Homeland Security Capstone, giving students a field-specific final requirement.
2 Student Reviews for Bachelor's in Homeland Security Degrees
It took me some time but I finally finished my B.S. Will be starting a Masters in Homeland Security. I found the instructors pleasant 90% of the time. I really only had issues with an Academic Advisor but overall great experience that I think will help... Read More
I have had the best experience at CSU. I recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Homeland Security program. I experienced a lot over these past four years and all of it was a great experience. I will admit that out of the all of the instructors that... Read More
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Columbia Southern University are overwhelmingly favorable, driven by high ratings and frequent recommendations. Students repeatedly praise the flexible online format, especially the ability to study around full-time work, military service, parenting, travel, and irregular schedules. Many value affordable tuition, included textbooks, generous transfer-credit policies, and responsive advisors, instructors, writing support, and tutoring. A notable theme is that courses are often writing-heavy, research-based, and more demanding than expected, disproving “degree mill” assumptions. Negative reviews focus on inconsistent professor quality, slow refunds or financial aid issues, weak or generic feedback, proctoring frustrations, and concerns about credit transferability and accreditation limitations.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 12,213 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $8,340
- Out-of-State Tuition: $8,340
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 33%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Institution Type: For-Profit
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- ASU combines emergency management and homeland security in a single bachelor’s curriculum, emphasizing disaster prevention, preparedness, recovery, and community resilience instead of limiting the degree to security operations.
- This online school gives students access to internships, research opportunities, clubs, career services, and industry connections.
- ASU’s 93% retention rate is especially notable alongside its very large online enrollment (57,000+ online students), indicating very high student persistence.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Arizona State University, Online are broadly positive, driven by convenience, flexible scheduling, and a polished online platform that helps working adults, military families, and parents stay enrolled. Many students praise responsive professors, helpful advisors, strong tech support, and resources that make a large institution feel accessible. Several also say the online coursework felt credible and comparable to in-person study. Criticism centers on high cost, extra fees, inconsistent advising, and uneven instructor engagement. The sharpest complaints describe prerecorded lectures, limited interaction, delayed grading, and compressed 7.5-week courses that can feel rushed, especially in technical subjects or when expectations are unclear.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 57,610 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $17,400
- Out-of-State Tuition: $17,400
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- This homeland security major is built around Department of Homeland Security practices, with required study in terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, disaster planning, critical infrastructure, and response operations.
- Students can add a concentration in either Criminal Justice or Emergency Management, allowing them to connect homeland security with law enforcement or disaster-response systems.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Waldorf University are overwhelmingly positive, driven by repeated praise for responsive instructors, highly attentive advisers, and staff who simplify admissions, transfer credit evaluation, financial aid, and ongoing support. Many reviewers value affordable tuition, with books often included, and say the accelerated online format fits full-time work while still feeling academically challenging. Several note strong course organization, practical assignments, APA-focused standards, and flexible policies when problems arise. Common cautions include inconsistent professor responsiveness, limited career guidance, low interaction in some classes, and a workload of roughly 20 to 25 hours weekly. One severe review alleges mishandled campus safety and favoritism.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 1,247 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $10,200
- Out-of-State Tuition: $10,200
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 21%
- Retention Rate: 44%
- Institution Type: For-Profit
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- ECSU’s curriculum combines homeland security, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and emergency management, giving students exposure to several connected public-safety disciplines within one degree program.
- Students study intelligence and surveillance strategies alongside critical infrastructure protection. Coursework covers both terrorism and counterterrorism as well as emergency management and planning.
- Online students participate in real-world case studies and simulations, giving the program an applied component designed to mirror security, intelligence, and crisis-response scenarios.
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Elizabeth City State University as a small, close-knit HBCU where professors know you by name, check on your progress, and create a supportive atmosphere that builds confidence, belonging, and cultural pride. Many reviewers praise affordable tuition, strong class offerings, open-door faculty access, and meaningful research or extracurricular opportunities that helped them grow academically and personally. Several say the environment reignited motivation and prepared them for advanced study. Criticism centers on inconsistent advising, confusing academic processes, and difficulty securing financial aid, especially for those continuing after earlier study, with some staff described as unhelpful during cost-related struggles.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 483 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $1,000
- Out-of-State Tuition: $1,000
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- SHSU offers both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security Studies, giving students two distinct ways to shape the degree. The BA requires additional foreign language study. The BS replaces that language emphasis with additional social science coursework in areas such as psychology, sociology, political science, or communication studies.
- Housed within SHSU’s College of Criminal Justice, the online program includes pandemic management and defense support for civil authorities.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Sam Houston State University are broadly positive, centered on small classes, approachable professors, and a personalized atmosphere where many felt known, supported, and career-ready. Students frequently praise flexible scheduling, strong online options, affordability, and faculty who respond quickly, mentor closely, and help with research, writing, and job preparation. Several describe rigorous coursework that translated into real-world confidence and advancement. Criticisms are more specific: some online courses feel underdeveloped or too correspondence-based, certain offerings are repetitive or narrowly focused, and a few programs are described as disorganized. Other drawbacks include limited funding, busy financial aid services, parking, commuting, and the small-town setting.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 3,119 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $10,350
- Out-of-State Tuition: $10,350
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Purdue Global are sharply divided, but the overall picture is negative because low ratings cluster around administrative failures, especially financial aid. Many reviewers describe inconsistent answers, delayed disbursements, surprise balances, loan or VA processing mistakes, poor transcript handling, and feeling pressured or misled during enrollment. Several also cite weak advising, rude support staff, rigid policies, and difficulty with clinical placements or credit transfers. Positive reviewers consistently praise flexible online scheduling, supportive professors, helpful tutoring, strong fit for working adults, and challenging coursework. A notable pattern is that academics are often viewed more favorably than the back-office experience, which many say drives their dissatisfaction.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.2 Student Reviews for Bachelor's in Homeland Security Degrees
Professors, courses and support team were great. I found that at times the workload became abundant but it was easy to navigate through it all with the help from my professors. The classes were structured perfectly for online group learning, challenging... Read More
As a veteran and military spouse, finishing my bachelors degree was important to me and my experience through Purdue Global has been nothing short of exceptional. I had come from another online college and the bar for my expectations were low and to just... Read More
- Online Enrollment: 31,065 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $11,130
- Out-of-State Tuition: $11,130
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Texas Southern University are largely positive, with recurring praise for professors who are accessible, demanding, and personally invested in helping students succeed. Many describe a welcoming HBCU environment marked by cultural diversity, strong pride, and a close-knit community that feels like family. Small classes, one-on-one guidance, research access, internships, networking, and practical career preparation stand out as major strengths. Critical feedback centers on uneven administration, weak financial aid communication, limited funding for research and technology, expensive tuition, scarce summer course options, and a few concerns about safety, organization, and post-graduation outcomes in specific areas.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 438 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $8,937
- Out-of-State Tuition: $8,937
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 22%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Student Review Summary: Reviews for the University of Arizona are broadly favorable, with students most often praising caring professors, strong research access, and practical preparation through internships, labs, fieldwork, clinical placements, and career fairs. Many describe a beautiful campus, intense school spirit, and a social environment with abundant clubs, sports, and community connections. Several note that despite the university’s size, smaller upper-level classes and responsive faculty can create a close-knit feel. Recurring drawbacks include inconsistent advising, disorganized registration or financial aid, rising tuition, limited scholarships, large introductory classes, and a party-oriented culture that can feel distracting or exclusionary for some.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 8,959 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $15,750
- Out-of-State Tuition: $15,750
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: $60,515
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Angelo State University are largely favorable, driven by strong ratings and near-universal recommendations. Students repeatedly praise approachable professors, small classes, and a campus culture where faculty, advisers, and admissions staff respond quickly and offer individualized help, often extending to career guidance and accountability. Affordability, scholarships, and flexible online formats are major advantages, especially for working adults balancing jobs or family obligations. Common drawbacks include inconsistent course availability, occasional weak advising, confusing online directions, limited interaction in online classes, and spotty technology or campus resources. A few reviews also cite underdeveloped offerings or poor financial support in specific areas.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.1 Student Review for Bachelor's in Homeland Security Degrees
I quite enjoyed my time here, and I thought that the instruction that was provided was quite useful. The professors I had here were very good and personable. There was a lot of varied class instruction, and the academics were challenging and thorough.... Read More
- Online Enrollment: 816 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $7,119
- Out-of-State Tuition: $7,119
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: $48,134
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Mercer University as a generally well-regarded institution where small classes, approachable professors, and a close-knit atmosphere consistently strengthen the academic experience. Many reviewers praise individualized attention, practical learning, strong networking, internships, research access, and career preparation, especially for working adults who value flexible scheduling. Students also highlight diversity, safety, community service, and a family-like culture. The most common complaints center on high tuition, limited financial aid, narrow course selection, commuting or transportation inconveniences, and occasional inconsistency in rigor. A smaller but intense set of negative reviews describes poor administrative handling, unprofessional faculty behavior, weak campus social life, and serious dissatisfaction with educational value.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 993 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $16,830
- Out-of-State Tuition: $16,830
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Trident University International are largely positive, driven by many 5-star ratings praising flexible scheduling, responsive professors, and a format that works well for military personnel and working adults. Students frequently value assignment extensions during deployments, travel, or personal hardship, along with no-cost online materials and strong advisor support. Many describe the coursework as rigorous, research-heavy, and writing-intensive, saying it improved critical thinking, APA writing, and career readiness. Negative reviews center on disorganized financial aid, inconsistent communication, transfer-credit disputes, weak or outdated course materials, limited instructor feedback, and frustration that some classes feel too self-taught or overly reliant on papers.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: N/A
- In-State Tuition: $12,450
- Out-of-State Tuition: $12,450
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: N/A
- Retention Rate: N/A
- Institution Type: N/A
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Campbell University are largely favorable, with most describing a close-knit, personalized experience shaped by small classes, approachable professors, and strong mentoring. Many reviewers say faculty are highly qualified, available beyond class, and genuinely invested in academic progress, career planning, and personal growth. Several highlight practical preparation, professional networking, and career readiness, especially through rigorous coursework, clinical training, and access to modern facilities. The most consistent drawbacks are the rural location, limited nearby entertainment, and some administrative or logistical frustrations, including outdated financial aid processes, relocation-related inconvenience, and uneven outcomes for job placement in certain cases.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 419 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $13,950
- Out-of-State Tuition: $13,950
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: $58,498
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Student Review Summary: Reviews of University of Maryland Global Campus are broadly mixed, with many praising its flexibility, accelerated terms, and accessibility for working adults, military members, and those balancing family responsibilities. Positive reviewers say success depends heavily on self-discipline, strong writing skills, and proactive communication, noting rigorous workloads, frequent research papers, and useful real-world application in some courses. Negative reviews focus on administrative breakdowns, especially financial aid, advising, billing, transcript processing, and confusing systems. Students also report inconsistent instructor quality, heavy reliance on self-teaching, uneven feedback, burdensome discussion posts, and group projects that can punish strong performers when teammates disengage.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.3 Student Reviews for Bachelor's in Homeland Security Degrees
Distinctively contrasting the reviews on here where it seems they only came to vent about a bad experience, I attended UMGC for 6 years from 2015-2021 throughout a Marine Corps career and deployments, and I could not be happier. I have associates and... Read More
I think that UMUC offers a great alternative to going to school inside of a traditional classroom. I originally went to school at a community college (Kilgore College in Kilgore Texas) and earned my A.A. prior to coming to UMUC because I could work online... Read More
In reading many of these reviews it appears that the positives are spot on and the negatives seem like sour grapes, to me anyway. I have nothing but praise for this school. I took both on-line and in-person classes and they were pretty fair and consistent.... Read More
- Online Enrollment: 46,379 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $9,900
- Out-of-State Tuition: $9,900
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 33%
- Retention Rate: 55%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Regent University Online are broadly positive, driven by strong ratings and repeated praise for caring, accessible professors, rigorous coursework, and flexible online formats that help working adults progress. Many reviewers valued early access to assignments, responsive faculty, faith integration, and support services such as advising, writing help, and career resources. At the same time, negative reviews raise serious concerns about administrative inconsistency, including transcript errors, poor communication, transfer-credit problems, billing and financial aid confusion, and uneven advising. Several also found the accelerated terms overwhelming, discussion boards superficial, class scheduling restrictive, and the school’s pervasive conservative Christian framework limiting or exclusionary.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 3,757 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $11,850
- Out-of-State Tuition: $11,850
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Idaho State University are largely positive, with many describing a small, friendly campus, approachable faculty, and strong preparation for careers through practical experience, internships, and close professor access. Students frequently value affordability, flexible online options, diversity, and a supportive environment that can feel community-oriented and safe. The strongest criticisms center on inconsistency: some reviewers report excellent teaching, while others describe poorly taught classes, weak course content, disorganization, and ineffective advising. Several also mention limited interdepartmental communication, uneven resources across locations, aging facilities, weak career networking, and a need for more proactive student support beyond the classroom.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Online Enrollment: 1,758 enrolled
- In-State Tuition: $8,910
- Out-of-State Tuition: $8,910
- Program Length: 4 years
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Graduation Rate: 39%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Institution Type: Non-Profit
Recommendation Rate measures a student's willingness to recommend the school as a whole.
Review Rating (what our ranking above is based on) reflects students' average scores on a five-point scale.
Both metrics provide a fuller view of student sentiment.
Stories Behind the Best Online Homeland Security Degrees: An Editorial Analysis
A Direct Line Into Intelligence Operations
University of Arizona
UA takes one of the most specialized approaches on this list by centering its bachelor鈥檚 degree on intelligence operations instead of general homeland security. Its Intelligence Community-Center of Academic Excellence designation from the Defense Intelligence Agency connects the program to intelligence workforce priorities.
The program also pairs that curriculum with intelligence-focused scholarships, language opportunities, overseas cultural immersion, internships, career placement support, and networking with practitioners.
Homeland Security Through a Border Lens
Angelo State University
Angelo State gives homeland security a distinctly border-focused identity through its Bachelor of Security Studies in Border and Homeland Security. Instead of treating border issues as one elective within a broad security degree, the program builds substantial subject matter around cross-border challenges. This concentration makes the program most relevant to students interested in border enforcement, immigration-related security, trafficking investigations, or security issues affecting the U.S.-Mexico region.
A Head Start for Public Safety Professionals
Purdue Global
Purdue Global deliberately strives to convert existing public safety and military training into progress toward the bachelor鈥檚 degree. Certified law enforcement officers with qualifying POST training may receive up to 25 credits, while military students can use resources such as PME2Degree, a military credit estimator, and evaluations of prior military education and training. That structure can make the program especially relevant to students entering college after having had some professional experience.
Homeland Security in a 24/7 World: Jeff Le on What Students Need to Know
Public Policy Expert in Homeland Security & Disaster Response
What do you see as the key advantages of earning a homeland security degree online?
"Continued professional and personal growth is no longer a static thing. It's essential to continue to find ways to have the most up-to-date learnings that can range from countering violent extremism, the deployment of new AI-powered malware, to operational needs for physical disaster response.
For those who can learn online while still maintaining a practical footprint for flexibility that is so important, especially for those who work nights and non-traditional shifts, like those in law enforcement or emergency response."
What types of roles do graduates of homeland security programs typically pursue?
"Typically I have seen graduates of these programs move on into senior leadership roles in law enforcement and disaster response. Some are in current National Guard service and want more leadership growth. Some have taken on roles in industry focused on cybersecurity. Others may also use the programs to transition from one sector into the homeland security space."
Typically I have seen graduates of these programs move on into senior leadership roles in law enforcement and disaster response.
Homeland security covers a broad range of specialties. Which areas do you feel like are most important?
"The most important thing for students to learn is from real-world case studies and how the use of frontier technology and deployments are used to exponentially expand the threat surface area 鈥� that ranges from a horrific fire to a major DDoS attack to a lone wolf domestic terror threat.
The other piece is understanding how global dynamics have an impact in the United States, which includes growing hostilities from American adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea."
Are there particular threats or priorities that are shaping the future of the field?
"AI security in open-source LLMs and how these tools are being exploited by Black Hat actors is an important trend to understand. One has seen the growth of North Koreans being hired by companies to perform IT jobs. That level of insider threat and privileged access is a major concern for state-sponsored economic and corporate espionage.
There are important questions about privacy and consumer protection and the use of surveillance tools at scale that potentially impact daily life. Understanding the ethical and policy considerations are important when one is deploying the latest emerging technology. There are trade offs, especially as this data is a goldmine for bad actors."
What skills are most important for success in homeland security careers today?
"Curiosity, persistence, and beginner's learning.
There are so many changes in technology and innovation that one needs to stay current and readily play with the newest models or engage with long-time leaders who are dealing with the changes in the physics of fires and floods during climate events. One has to be a glutton for pain to be successful and learning how to recharge is an essential since it's a 24-7 type of world."
EXPERT TIP
"Mentorship: Continue to engage and foster learnings from peers and from senior leaders in the field. No amount of technology can replace institutional knowledge and perspective. It will also help for the next career chapter."
If you want to explore lists of similar degrees, you can check out the best online law enforcement programs or the best online cybersecurity degrees.
FAQs About Choosing an Online Homeland Security Degree
What Should You Know Before Choosing a Homeland Security Degree Online?
There are many homeland security degrees available entirely online. Typically, homeland security programs do not require an internship, instead asking students to complete a capstone project during their final year. This allows students to meet all course requirements 100% online in a format just as respected as on-campus degrees. Class discussions and lectures are done through video conferencing applications, while exams are delivered through online learning management systems.
What Can You Look for in an Online Homeland Security Degree Program?
Online homeland security degrees teach students techniques to protect against a wide range of domestic threats, including terrorism, cyber attacks, and natural disasters. Coursework is well-rounded, covering areas such as intelligence analysis, information security, public administration, and law and ethics.
Graduates of Homeland Security online degrees are often prepared to work in emergency management, law enforcement, and national intelligence. Regardless of the career pursued, students should ensure that their program comes from an accredited school, which means a third-party education agency evaluates it. All schools featured on the OnlineU site are accredited, regardless of how expensive they are.
Online students applying to college for a Homeland Security bachelor's degree should know that each school has different admission requirements. Homeland security isn't a technical subject; therefore, students are only required to have completed high school or GED exams before applying to a bachelor's program. Most programs require applicants to have at least a 2.0 GPA on their high school transcripts to be admitted.
It's important to check each program's admission requirements before picking a college.
Due to the rising cost of tuition, some students may want to pursue affordable homeland security degrees or affordable law enforcement degrees to reduce their college debt.
How Long Does It Take To Get Homeland Security Degrees Online?
Homeland security degrees online typically take four years to complete for full-time students. Most programs require the completion of 120 credit hours, requiring students to take between 12 and 15 credits each semester. There may be options to take summer courses or transfer credits from an associate degree to speed up the timeline to graduate.
Which Homeland Security Specialization Should You Choose?
Specializations for homeland security degrees are designed to focus coursework on a particular niche in the field, allowing students to prepare for their preferred careers. One of the most common options is criminal justice, which covers the principles of law enforcement and the surrounding judicial systems. Graduates who either obtain a homeland security degree with a criminal justice emphasis or simply a criminal justice degree may pursue jobs in local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Cybersecurity is another popular concentration within homeland security majors. Here, students learn how to protect against digital threats by identifying network and system vulnerabilities and implementing safeguards. Cybersecurity careers can be found in private sector businesses, law firms, technology companies, or in the public sector for government agencies. Students may also pursue concentrations that lead to roles in specific agencies. For those most interested in this niche, there are also cybersecurity degrees to explore.
Lastly, emergency management concentrations are another common choice that covers disaster preparation and response, leading to career opportunities at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the American Red Cross.
What Courses Should You Look for in an Online Homeland Security Program?
The best online homeland security degrees offer coursework covering various security issues, including relevant prevention and response strategies for each situation. This includes exploring foundational principles in laws and ethics, natural and virtual threats, and risk prevention, giving students a well-rounded understanding of the field. Students also learn how to conduct research and manage teams during crisis situations.
Here are four courses commonly required for degrees in homeland security degree programs:
- Critical Infrastructure Protection: This course offers an in-depth look at digital and physical infrastructure, including the attacks and disasters that threaten them. Students study information, public works, and transportation systems to understand how vital they are to functioning societies. They also learn how to prepare for and respond to varying threats, from natural to manufactured, while limiting system disruption and improving first responders' safety operations.
- Terrorism: The Department of Homeland Security was created in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, leading many universities to develop degree programs to prepare students for careers in the field. This fact makes terrorism courses essential to homeland security curricula, allowing students to learn about domestic threats from terrorist groups, including weapons of mass destruction, and the counterterrorism strategies that work to stop them.
- Ethical and Legal Issues in Homeland Security: This course surveys how government and private entities operate with a legal and ethical framework. Students explore post-9/11 homeland security legislation such as the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act and other laws surrounding national security, as well as the U.S. Constitution. Students also study ethics in homeland security regarding human and civil rights laws.
- Disaster Planning and Management: Disaster preparation examines policy and procedure development to reduce the impact of weather events, chemical spills, mass shootings, and pandemics. Students analyze various disaster management roles and their responsibilities alongside the teams that support them during emergency situations.
What Careers Should You Consider When Choosing a Homeland Security Bachelor's Degree?
are tasked with maintaining order during emergencies. As first responders, they are typically among the first to have an impact on crises where they ensure civilians are removed from danger and create perimeters to prevent people from entering dangerous areas. They also identify individuals with life-threatening injuries to assist medical technicians. There are also law enforcement roles specifically tailored to .
- Median Annual Salary: $77,270
- Hourly Rate: $37.15
- Job Growth: 3% (average)
create plans to prevent loss of life, infrastructure, and essential services during natural and man-made disasters. They allocate resources, analyze risks, identify threats, and assess damage. They closely coordinate with the public and private sectors to develop specialized emergency plans, which also include training staff to respond during disaster situations.
- Median Annual Salary: $86,130
- Hourly Rate: $41.41
- Job Growth: 3% (average)
work on prevention and response strategies related explicitly to building fires. Most professionals work on behalf of local governments, analyzing fire hazards and ensuring facilities meet the appropriate regulations. There are also forest fire inspectors who primarily work in outdoor environments to prevent wildfires. Both roles investigate fires after they occur in order to create better prevention practices.
- Median Annual Salary: $75,480
- Hourly Rate: $36.29
- Job Growth: 6% (faster than average)
oversee security systems for government entities and private companies that are meant to protect employees and physical assets. They analyze security threats, identify organizational weaknesses, and monitor live systems, including surveillance cameras and electronic entry controls. They're also responsible for training staff to adhere to security measures.
- Median Annual Salary: $81,270
- Hourly Rate: $39.07
- Job Growth: 3-4% (average)
Alternatively, homeland security graduates often have two main educational paths to pursue after graduation. One option is to seek an affordable master's degree in homeland security. This route provides students with more sufficient leadership training through curriculums that engage them in real-world scenarios. There are also criminal justice master's degrees that offer similar curriculums with a focus on law enforcement training. Most careers don't require master's degrees, leading many bachelor's graduates to enter the workforce upon finishing their four-year degree.
Is a Homeland Security Degree a Good Choice for an FBI Career?
Homeland security graduates will be equipped with a broad knowledge of disaster and emergency management, criminal justice, and terrorism. While these disciplines are a helpful start, the that they're most interested in applicants with foreign language fluency from international studies and military intelligence experience, in addition to the aforementioned academic training.
Regardless of the degree, FBI job applicants must have finished their undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA. This standard also applies to homeland security master's graduates.
Should You Choose Homeland Security or Criminal Justice?
Whether one major is better depends on each student's career aspirations.
Criminal justice degrees, for example, focus on various parts of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, corrections, the judiciary system, and criminal investigations.
Homeland security may include brief explorations of criminal justice, but its coursework is more narrow, focusing on disaster planning, terrorism, border control, and infrastructure protection. Many homeland security degrees offer concentrations in criminal justice that blend both areas of study together.
How Can You Decide if an Online Homeland Security Degree Is Worth It?
Homeland security degrees train students to understand the various threats to domestic safety. They explore everything from terrorism to natural disasters, including the preparation and response techniques used in real-world scenarios.
Benefits
- Graduates are often prepared for meaningful work. Emergency management training can lead to government roles in FEMA and the US Army Corps of Engineers, both of which participate in disaster relief efforts.
- Students with excellent organizational skills excel in homeland security studies due to the extensive planning and resourcefulness required to handle emergencies.
- Often those working in the field of homeland security earn wages higher than the median. The (BLS) reports that emergency management directors earn a median annual salary of $86,130, which is significantly more than the median salary of all occupations.
Drawbacks
- Some work is dangerous and stressful. Homeland security graduates who work in disaster relief may find themselves near deadly weather events and face-to-face with civilians in traumatic situations.
- Some careers require additional training. Homeland security graduates may require additional training to work in medical roles such as EMTs or information security roles such as cybersecurity analysts.
- Discussing complex moral issues is an important part of this career path. From domestic surveillance to immigration, homeland security students are forced to confront some very thought-provoking and controversial subjects.
Student Reviews of Online Homeland Security Programs
Everglades University is a great college for working students. The class layout doesn鈥檛 leave you over stressed as traditional college classes do. I can鈥檛 thank the staff enough for their continued support during my educational journey. I was blessed by having some amazing instructors! I plan to proceed with my Masters at Everglades very soon!
Review Date: 10/17/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Professors, courses and support team were great. I found that at times the workload became abundant but it was easy to navigate through it all with the help from my professors. The classes were structured perfectly for online group learning, challenging and thought provoking.
Review Date: 9/7/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Ashford pushed and pushed advertising for several months leading up to the start date of Jan 2nd, which I can I only imagine they received a large amount of new students (me being one of them) one week into the new school year they announced that beginning February 6th they are increasing the tuition rate PER CREDIT, the "technology fee" and the cost of the books.
Review Date: 1/9/2018
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
I started my educational progression while deployed to Iraq in 2019. AMU was very understanding of military engagements, which allowed me to navigate through courses and assignments without missing deadlines. The online platform is extremely helpful to those who may work full-time jobs, have kids, or other conflicting schedules. The only downside for me was that the professors were sometimes disengaged within the course, which made it difficult to receive feedback on upcoming assignments. I recently... Read More
Review Date: 1/30/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
It took me some time but I finally finished my B.S. Will be starting a Masters in Homeland Security. I found the instructors pleasant 90% of the time. I really only had issues with an Academic Advisor but overall great experience that I think will help me in the future. I don't think it matters if this school is nationally accredited because most government jobs don't care about nationally versus regionally accredited schools... if your GI bill will pay for it, it will not matter in the long run.... Read More
Review Date: 11/29/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
As a veteran and military spouse, finishing my bachelors degree was important to me and my experience through Purdue Global has been nothing short of exceptional. I had come from another online college and the bar for my expectations were low and to just graduate. Purdue鈥檚 instructors, staff and all the resources provided allowed me to excel and although stressful at times, enjoy the experience of it all. I recommend Purdue Global to anyone looking for a great online experience. Thanks Purdue!
Review Date: 4/21/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
VERY IMPORTANT: I want to start off with saying in July 2018 National University holds all Blackboard collaborate weekly online sessions as OPTIONAL and will not go towards your final, as well as you can watch all recordings of sessions at anytime. My only Con is they are slow (month late) on processing TA for active duty military. Now that I touched on most individuals cons, I will explain the Pros I have the past two years I have attended. I am a HSE major and CJA major (Homeland security/ Criminal... Read More
Review Date: 11/29/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Ashford University is a for profit school, that is the first thing that must be taken into consideration. Not always a bad thing, more often than not for profit schools are extremely flexible. Know what you are getting into and have a plan for finances. I am active duty military so I used TA and owned them a little so they appeased me to ensure I continued my education. For those who say it is easy great, then I am sure they graduated 4.0 or 3.97 like I did. Is it useless? I was accepted to Johns... Read More
Review Date: 5/4/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
It is sad to read about all of the horrible reviews of this college here. I am an active duty Soldier, it this has been a wonderful experience for me, and it has not been too demanding. It is awesome because you can move on in the weeks, if you finish your other work. Every Thursday discussions are due, and every Sunday assignments are due. It is simple. For those who are saying they've been ripped off, they are full of it. Before this school I was doing AMU, nothing against them, but there accelerated... Read More
Review Date: 8/12/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
DO NOT GIVE CREDENCE TO THOSE WHO CLAIM CTU DOES NOT WORK WITH YOU ON LATE ASSIGNMENTS I have had health issues throughout my degree as well as power and connectivity issues. I have never had any issues with CTU granting an extension. Honestly, the majority of those who are claiming issues have created their issues by not conforming to the rules and college guidelines. It's always someone else who is to blame with these type people, no personal accountability. During discussion boards and group projects... Read More
Review Date: 1/3/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Eastern Kentucky University has a beautiful campus and great people; who are really geared toward your success. I just wish that some of the faculty had more experience in the field in which the course they are teaching applies to and that professors could not switch courses in the middle of a semester (professors with no fire service experience should NOT teach courses in the fire service majors). I also think that if the academic and enrollment advisors did not change so much it would be easier... Read More
Review Date: 6/11/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Contrary to the negative review that you read about CTU and its instructors, this school has been quite a challenge. Incredible instructors who are subject matter experts in their field. They are true professionals who present a challenging learning environment. They will not hold your hand thru any degree. You are expected to be mature adults and to perform each task to standard. It requires effort and discipline. They work with you when life happens to afford additional time to complete assignments.... Read More
Review Date: 5/9/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I found Ashford University to be an excellent online degree program. Thier student portal which was also accessible from mobile devices was very user friendly and professionally run. The online library database and option for e-books made it easy to access reference material or study anywhere. The five week classes with discussion posts due on Day 3 of each week, a 3 to 5 page paper or quiz due on day 7 of each week and a 8 to 15 page paper or research project due at the end of every class, greatly... Read More
Review Date: 5/7/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I understand the complaints from other students and everyone must respect their reviews, because they were affected for sure. I received my Associates in 2011 and Everest found me a job within my field of studies. They emailed my resume to several agencies and I was contacted. Interviews were conducted and I was hired. Everest helps a lot , if you have high scores and of course when you completed your degree. Employeers ask for a two-year college degree and if you only have completed four terms of... Read More
Review Date: 3/24/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Fire Fighters this is the best bachelor degree program. Classes are online, instructors care, and college staff is very helpful - always returned my phone calls in a timely manor and were able to help. I had been out of school for awhile and was able to get on track with their help.
Review Date: 6/15/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
A college that is great for someone that is already a professional. I was able to get my degree while working full time, to include military deployments. The professors were great to work with and most of them really seemed to care about the quality of education I was receiving from them.
Review Date: 7/22/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Great school for veterans in Florida, If I had to do it all over again, I would pick Everglades!!! The staff, faculty, students, the classrooms, it was such a great learning environment. They truly care for your success and will be there every step of the way and as a student you could not ask for more. Thank you Everglades University!!!
Review Date: 6/18/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
In reading many of these reviews it appears that the positives are spot on and the negatives seem like sour grapes, to me anyway. I have nothing but praise for this school. I took both on-line and in-person classes and they were pretty fair and consistent. The support answer all questions in a timely manner and I never had any real delay with them getting back to me. The professors like any other school can be hit or miss but, all were professional. I actually enjoyed many of them as they appeared... Read More
Review Date: 6/11/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
After exploring different Emergency Management programs, I chose Everglades University after learning that the class sizes are smaller than most and the course pace is set up to where I only have to take one class a month. I work full-time, so only having to concentrate on one course at a time is life changing and enables me to finish my degree. I have a passion for helping people in need as I鈥檝e worked in Emergency Medical Services for the past seven years. I worked all throughout the Covid-19 crisis,... Read More
Review Date: 10/13/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I am a Veteran and was not sure what life would look like after serving. I had prior experience in the construction field so I decided to go down that path. I opened up my own insulation business but knew I needed some more experience to keep it growing. I found Everglades University by research and I'm happy that I found them. The experience was priceless. I cannot begin to say how thankful I am for finding Everglades.
Review Date: 12/22/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No