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Homeland security

Homeland security full program information

Table of Contents

    What is homeland security?

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established in 2002. Its primary goal is to protect the nation from a variety of threats, both local and international. Homeland security personnel face distinctive situations that often require specialized training.

    For this reason, the standard criminal justice and law enforcement degrees aren’t adequate preparation for this type of career. Many schools offer security programs covering specific topics such as border security, counterterrorism, and emergency response.

    Anyone interested in providing safety and guidance to citizens during crises or even day-to-day life may enjoy a career in homeland security. As a potential candidate, you should be determined and compassionate, with the ability to maintain your composure and courage during catastrophes.

    You must be able to work well within a team and be able to follow directions. During your studies, you’ll be trained in I.T., finance, healthcare, and sometimes military operations. A key trait to have is strong analytical skills as part of the job entails evaluating research data.

    The growth rate in opportunities for homeland security jobs is increasing from year to year. For example, the expected job outlook rate for an Information Security Analyst for the period of 2019-2029 is 31%, which is much faster than the average rate of 4% of similar professions. On the other hand, police and detective careers expect a rate of 5% for the same period. More specialized positions require a higher education level and training, but this sector’s growth prospects for students are promising.

    On the other hand, police and detective careers expect a rate of 5% for the same period. More specialized positions require a higher education level and training, but this sector’s growth prospects for students are promising

    Educational requirements

    There are a couple of ways that you can get started in a career in homeland security. Various degrees are available, starting from associate’s degrees and going all the way up to doctoral in homeland security.

    • If you want to sign up for an associate’s degree you’ll need a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED. You can complete an associate’s degree at a community college, but that doesn’t need to be your starting point. You can apply directly for a bachelor’s degree if you meet the college’s requirements.
    • To get admission into the bachelor’s program, you’ll need to submit an SAT or ACT score with most applications. Schools don’t always ask for specific scores, but they expect at least
    • 15 on the ACT or 1,000 on the SAT. Other requirements include a high school transcript and 2 letters of recommendation from people who know your academic and work history.
    • Many colleges offer the degree online, while others allow you to take a full-time campus program. Hybrid programs may be college-specific, so it’s best to find out from your chosen school if it has this option.
    • The degree you choose depends on what career you want to pursue. If you want to be a firefighter, then an associate’s degree is an excellent start. However, there’s a lot of other training that you need to get through to qualify as a firefighter.

    Below are some career options and the required qualification

    Career Qualification
    Police Officer/Firefighter High school diploma/associates degree (extra training required)
    Corrections Officer Associate’s degree (extra training required)
    Emergency Management Director, Information Security Analyst, FBI Agent Bachelor’s degree
    Intelligence Officer, Computer and Information Systems Managers Master’s degree
    Fire/Police Chief Master’s degree

    Certifications

    The 2 primary certifications are:

    • A Certified Homeland Protection Professional (CHPP) Certification
    • NSA/GSHNSP Certified Homeland Protection Associate attestation consisting of levels I-IV (CHPA)

    These were established by the Global Society of Homeland Security Professionals and the National Sheriff’s Association. The primary aim is to certify that individuals have proven their knowledge, competency, skills, and aptitude in the discipline of homeland protection through a rigorous qualification program.

    You’ll need to pass specific requirements to become certified. The CHPP has the following minimum criteria:

    • Must be 21 years or older
    • No felony convictions, disciplinary action records, or dishonorable discharges from the U.S. military
    • 4 years of experience as a responder, security officer, emergency manager, or similar
    • A degree is recommended with a minimum score of 80%

    Those who have been awarded a level I through IV CHPA have demonstrated to future employers that they are ready to begin their careers. The certifications provide an objective way of distinguishing highly competent homeland protection professionals from less experienced colleagues.

    Coursework in an associate program

    Some of the modules covered in the associate’s degree include:

    • American homeland security
    • Terrorism response operations
    • Disaster planning and management
    • Weapons of mass destruction

    Coursework in a bachelor’s program

    At the bachelor’s level, the focus changes slightly, and you can expect to learn more about criminal justice and emergency management. Topics include:

    • Emergency planning, covering risk assessment, and operational staffing.
    • Domestic terrorism examines how the U.S. government defines domestic terrorism concerning the enforcement of the Patriot Act and criminal laws.
    • Infrastructure security investigates the security policies of public transport systems and communication networks.
    • Cybercrime explores the behavior of computer hackers and cyberterrorists.
    • Research methods provide learners the skills to conduct social science research and to evaluate the results.

    Master’s degrees in homeland security

    If you’re looking to pursue a career in leadership roles, then the next level of education is a master’s degree in homeland security. Some possible specializations include:

    • M.S. in Homeland Security
    • M.S. in Counterterrorism and Homeland Security
    • M.S. in Criminal Justice with a focus on homeland security

    Specializations in homeland security

    If you decide to study for a homeland security qualification, there are various specializations that you can consider doing. It allows you to tailor a degree towards your primary interest and goals. Some of the subfields that you can focus on include:

    • Emergency management
    • Counterterrorism
    • Cybersecurity
    • Public safety
    • International relations
    • Biosecurity
    • Public health
    • Community resilience

    Accreditation

    When choosing a college, you should take note of the program accreditations. If you attend a regionally accredited program, it ensures your financial aid eligibility. It also allows you to transfer credits more easily and guarantees quality education.

    If you want to check that the program you’re interested in taking is accredited, use the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs website for confirmation.

    Cost of degrees

    The cost of a degree depends on the college and the type of tuition you choose. Most online programs are less per credit than campus study options.

    Students can expect to pay between $7,000 and $27,000 in total tuition for an associate’s degree. A bachelor’s degree ranges between $43,000 and $55,000, while a masters is around $15,000 to $35,000.

    Many colleges have funding options available in the form of loans, grants, or scholarships. Each year the DHS hosts a scholarship program that provides up to $5,000 to select undergraduate students.

    To be eligible, students need to be U.S. citizens, hold a security clearance, have reached sophomore or junior level standing and agree to a 1-year service commitment at a DHS approved facility once they graduate.

    The DHS isn’t the only institution that offers scholarships for homeland security degrees. Some other prestigious ones include:

    • CIA student scholarship programs
    • CyberCorps Scholarship for Service
    • AFCEA War Veterans Scholarships

    Career options in homeland security

    The career options that you have with a qualification in homeland security are vast and varied. You can become a firefighter or a police officer, but these require extra on-the-job and academy training. For more I.T. oriented students, there are opportunities to pursue work as a cybersecurity specialist, information security analyst, or network administrator.

    If law enforcement is within your scope of interest, you’ll find that there are many jobs available in local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Some popular jobs include:

    Police officer

    These dedicated professionals are responsible for, responding to emergency and non-emergency calls, and patrolling neighborhoods. They also interview victims, investigate crimes, arrest suspects, and write detailed daily reports.

    National

    Alabama

    Alaska

    Arizona

    Arkansas

    California

    Colorado

    Connecticut

    Delaware

    District of Columbia

    Florida

    Georgia

    Hawaii

    Idaho

    Illinois

    Indiana

    Iowa

    Kansas

    Kentucky

    Louisiana

    Maine

    Maryland

    Massachusetts

    Michigan

    Minnesota

    Mississippi

    Missouri

    Montana

    Nebraska

    Nevada

    New Hampshire

    New Jersey

    New Mexico

    New York

    North Carolina

    North Dakota

    Ohio

    Oklahoma

    Oregon

    Pennsylvania

    Rhode Island

    South Carolina

    South Dakota

    Tennessee

    Texas

    Utah

    Vermont

    Virginia

    Washington

    West Virginia

    Wisconsin

    Wyoming

    10% $38,420
    25% $48,950
    Median $65,540
    75% $86,880
    90% $109,040

    Total employment

    654,900

    Projected growth (2018-2028)

    5%

    Degree required

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Source: BLS

    Firefighters

    Firefighters have a primary duty to extinguish fires and save lives by doing first aid where required. They drive fire trucks and other emergency vehicles when needed. Another aspect of the job is conducting fire safety and physical fitness training.

    National

    Alaska

    Arizona

    Arkansas

    California

    Colorado

    Connecticut

    Delaware

    Florida

    Georgia

    Hawaii

    Idaho

    Illinois

    Indiana

    Iowa

    Kansas

    Kentucky

    Louisiana

    Maine

    Maryland

    Massachusetts

    Michigan

    Minnesota

    Mississippi

    Missouri

    Montana

    Nebraska

    Nevada

    New Hampshire

    New Jersey

    New Mexico

    New York

    North Carolina

    North Dakota

    Ohio

    Oklahoma

    Oregon

    Pennsylvania

    Rhode Island

    Alabama

    South Carolina

    South Dakota

    Tennessee

    Texas

    Utah

    Virginia

    Washington

    West Virginia

    Wisconsin

    Wyoming

    Vermont

    District of Columbia

    10% $26,940
    25% $35,850
    Median $52,500
    75% $70,870
    90% $93,790

    Total employment

    311,350

    Projected growth (2018-2028)

    5.3%

    Degree required

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Source: BLS

    Information security analysts

    These analysts monitor online activity on the lookout for security breaches. They investigate any violations when they occur. Their primary focus is using technology to protect an organization’s computer networks and online information.

    National

    Alabama

    Alaska

    Arizona

    Arkansas

    California

    Colorado

    Connecticut

    Delaware

    District of Columbia

    Florida

    Georgia

    Hawaii

    Idaho

    Illinois

    Indiana

    Iowa

    Kansas

    Kentucky

    Louisiana

    Maine

    Maryland

    Massachusetts

    Michigan

    Minnesota

    Mississippi

    Missouri

    Montana

    Nebraska

    Nevada

    New Hampshire

    New Jersey

    New Mexico

    New York

    North Carolina

    North Dakota

    Ohio

    Oklahoma

    Oregon

    Pennsylvania

    Rhode Island

    South Carolina

    South Dakota

    Tennessee

    Texas

    Utah

    Vermont

    Virginia

    Washington

    West Virginia

    Wisconsin

    Wyoming

    10% $60,060
    25% $78,440
    Median $103,590
    75% $132,890
    90% $163,300

    Total employment

    138,000

    Projected growth (2018-2028)

    N/A

    Degree required

    Bachelor’s degree

    Source: BLS

    Fish and game wardens

    The state employs the wardens to perform a variety of tasks. The most important being the enforcement of hunting, boating, and fishing laws. They must also impose any federal laws that pertain to these activities.

    National

    Arizona

    California

    Connecticut

    Florida

    Georgia

    Illinois

    Indiana

    Iowa

    Maine

    Massachusetts

    Michigan

    Minnesota

    Mississippi

    Missouri

    Montana

    Nevada

    New Jersey

    New York

    North Carolina

    North Dakota

    Ohio

    Oklahoma

    South Dakota

    Tennessee

    Texas

    Vermont

    Virginia

    Washington

    West Virginia

    Wisconsin

    Alabama

    Rhode Island

    South Carolina

    Wyoming

    Kansas

    Hawaii

    Idaho

    New Mexico

    Oregon

    Maryland

    Alaska

    Arkansas

    Colorado

    Delaware

    District of Columbia

    Kentucky

    Louisiana

    Nebraska

    New Hampshire

    Pennsylvania

    Utah

    10% $29,880
    25% $44,250
    Median $58,040
    75% $70,270
    90% $81,960

    Total employment

    7,230

    Projected growth (2018-2028)

    1.6%

    Degree required

    Associate or bachelor’s

    Source: BLS

    Correctional officer

    National

    Alabama

    Alaska

    Arizona

    Arkansas

    California

    Colorado

    Connecticut

    Delaware

    District of Columbia

    Florida

    Georgia

    Hawaii

    Idaho

    Illinois

    Indiana

    Iowa

    Kansas

    Kentucky

    Louisiana

    Maine

    Maryland

    Massachusetts

    Michigan

    Minnesota

    Mississippi

    Missouri

    Montana

    Nebraska

    Nevada

    New Hampshire

    New Jersey

    New Mexico

    New York

    North Carolina

    North Dakota

    Ohio

    Oklahoma

    Oregon

    Pennsylvania

    Rhode Island

    South Carolina

    South Dakota

    Tennessee

    Texas

    Utah

    Vermont

    Virginia

    Washington

    West Virginia

    Wisconsin

    Wyoming

    10% $32,830
    25% $37,950
    Median $47,410
    75% $63,290
    90% $81,940

    Total employment

    405,870

    Projected growth (2018-2028)

    -7.2%

    Degree required

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Source: BLS

    Continuing education

    You can start with an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. To further your studies you can pursue a master’s, and finally a doctorate in homeland security. Each qualification opens up different opportunities for career growth.

    By studying further, you can improve your chances of getting a promotion, or you could move in a different direction altogether. Once you’ve established which area you want to focus on, you can branch out into one of many homeland security disciplines such as:

    • Law enforcement
    • Intelligence analysis
    • Information security
    • Infrastructure protection
    • Emergency management

    Additional resources

    It’s always useful to have some resources to refer to when it comes to homeland security studies and associations. We’ve listed some of the most important ones below.

    U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – This department controls and coordinates homeland security-related actions nationwide.

    International Association of Crime Analysts – This agency promotes distinction among crime analysts in law enforcement. It offers additional resources on its websites, such as informational articles, job adverts, and educational software.

    American Criminal Justice Association is a body that strives for excellence among professionals in law enforcement and criminal justice. It offers scholarships to students who want to study degrees in the above disciplines and homeland security.

    International Association of Emergency Managers – This organization advocates for emergency management professionals and offers scholarships for students within the specialization.

    Women in Federal Law Enforcement – This is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the equal representation of women in federal law enforcement. It also provides scholarships for women in majors related to law enforcement, including homeland security.

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