Master of Science in Homeland Security

Program Overview

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The Master of Science in Homeland Security (MSHLS) degree presents a unique curriculum covering domestic and global issues in security and develops competencies in theory, analysis, practice, and policymaking. Students will become conversant with the roles of technology, intelligence, and law in establishing protection policies and procedures and in responding to and mitigating threats and disasters, whether natural or man-made. The students will learn to develop policy, establish objectives, and understand the impact of operational decisions in both the domestic and international arenas. Courses cover the five mission areas of the homeland security enterprise of terrorism, border security, cybersecurity, immigration, administration, and emergency management as well as public safety and public administration issues.

The program is intended for adults who want to learn advanced aspects of homeland security and emergency preparedness and prepares students to guide and supervise both day-to-day operational and strategic planning and decision making, which is mandated in the post-9/11 era. Students who complete the Master of Science in Homeland Security will encounter a wide variety of career options. Many will utilize this degree with prior experience in security, police, or military service to advance in those fields. Those who are already experienced in those fields will utilize this degree to enter policy and leadership positions. Those without formal security training, but with expertise in the health professions, engineering, business, or law, will find that this degree prepares them to utilize their disciplinary knowledge in security situations.

The Master of Science in Homeland Security degree program is a 36-credit graduate program offering both required courses and elective courses as needed to satisfy the individual learning interests of students. The course work provides a solid grounding in relevant academic theory, applied practice, and policymaking. Students will complete course work in a prescribed order and will complete a Capstone project in security policy.

The areas of study position students to prepare for specific homeland security mission areas to advance professionally and strengthen the capacity of those who provide services in the homeland security arena and to protect the public interest.

Why Earn a Master of Science in Homeland Security at Thomas Edison State University?

Because students will develop competencies critical to personal and professional growth and gain leadership skills that employers' value. Students will gain a mastery of the roles of technology, intelligence, and law in establishing protection policies and procedures and in responding to and mitigating threats and disasters. Learn more about program outcomes.
Because students' studies fit well into a busy professional life. Students will take flexible, high-quality online courses with mentors who are subject matter experts that specialize in working with adult students.
Because students deserve the quality and flexibility. In addition to online courses, students can transfer graduate credits and earn credits through prior learning assessment and graduate-level courses recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education.

Learn why we made Best Masters Program’s Top 25 Online Homeland Security Master’s Programs list.

Credit Distribution

I. Core Courses (18 Credits)

HLS-505	Foundations of Homeland Security	3
MPL-510	Research Methods in Public Service	3
HLS-611	International Legal and Ethical Issues	3
HLS-625	Technology and Information Security	3
HLS-640	Funding and Program Administration for Homeland Security	3

Students select one of the following

MPL-520	Program Analysis and Evaluation	3
MNP-515	Leading Strategic Change in Public Service	3

II. Areas of Study (12 Credits)

III. Homeland Security Electives (3 Credits)

IV. Capstone in Homeland Security (3 Credits)

MPL-710

Public Service Capstone

Total Credit Hours: 36

NOTE: MPL-510: Research Methods in Public Service should be taken within the first 12 credits of the degree.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Science in Homeland Security degree program will be able to:

analyze the homeland security enterprise nationally and internationally;
integrate operational and informational systems to address disasters and threats to security in national preparedness;
apply statutory, regulatory, and constitutional principles to implementation of national and global disaster and security strategies;
debate the relationship between security versus personal and societal freedom in homeland security;
compare the national planning frameworks at the local, state, federal, and tribal levels to achieve the national preparedness goal;
differentiate between the national and global intelligence, security, and disaster management systems of homeland security organizations;
evaluate critical infrastructure needs in preventing and mitigating terrorist activities as well as in improving disaster preparedness, response, and recovery; and
analyze the impact of immigration and border security nationally and internationally.

Potential Degree Timeline

This is a hypothetical timeline that shows how a student can complete the Master of Science in Homeland Security degree program at Thomas Edison State University in about 18 months.

To demonstrate how students could progress through the program over an 18-month period, we are using the January term as the first term and move through the program during the four graduate terms offered each year. Each term is 12 weeks.

The timeline is informational in nature and does not represent an actual program plan. Enrolled graduate students work with our deans and academic advisors to develop a program plan that maps out how a student will complete their degree and whether they can transfer previously earned graduate credits or earn graduate credit for what they know through prior learning assessment.

Term (runs for 12 weeks)

Courses To Take

Credits

First Graduate Term:

Starts beginning of January

MPL-510: Research Methods in Public Service

HLS-505 Foundations of Homeland Security

Second Graduate Term:

Starts beginning of April

HLS-625 Technology and Information Security

HLS-640 Funding and Program Administration for Homeland Security

Third Graduate Term:

Starts beginning of July

HLS-611 International Legal and Ethical Issues

One Area of Study Course (1)

Fourth Graduate Term:

Starts beginning of October

MPL-520 Program Analysis and Evaluation or

MNP-515 Leading Strategic Change in Public Service

One Area of Study Course (2)

Fifth Graduate Term:

Starts beginning of January

One Area of Study Course (3)

One Area of Study Course (4)

Sixth Graduate Term: