Master of Science in Homeland Security (Program delivered via Virtual Campus)
The Master of Science in Homeland Security (MS-HLS) program is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the homeland security enterprise at the strategic policymaking level. The program will be geared towards homeland security practitioners and provide them with analytical and communication tools to allow them to become decision-makers in one or more areas of the field. The program will also expand their knowledge base of other disciplines within the larger homeland security enterprise thus helping them understand the role of a given discipline, such as law enforcement, fire, emergency services, public health, etc. in the larger homeland security picture. The program curriculum is designed for students with previous coursework and/or prior work experience in homeland security. Although prior knowledge or experience in the homeland security field is not required, it is highly recommended..
In addition to the broad-based core curriculum, students will have the option of choosing electives in particular subfields of homeland security.
Outcomes (Core):
- Outline trends in the development and evolution of the HLS enterprise.
- Analyze current policy issues within the HLS enterprise and/or its sub-disciplines.
- Use research to suggest policy solutions to existing HLS problems.
- Explore strategies and institutional frameworks that affect HLS policy.
- Analyze the role of the intelligence community, first-responders, the military, the private sector and others in the HLS enterprise.
- Interpret, synthesize and critique the threat posed by terrorism, natural disasters and public health emergencies.
- Analyze the legal, institutional and policy barriers to unity of effort and enhanced HLS policy and the possible methodologies for circumventing or eliminating those barriers.
- Evaluate the impact of policies within HLS sub-disciplines on the creation of a common HLS strategy and effort.
Degree Requirements
Courses: Core
| HLS601 | Homeland Security Fundamentals | 4 |
| HLS602 | Dynamics of Terrorism | 4 |
| HLS603 | Technology Solutions for Homeland Security | 4 |
| HLS604 | Intelligence Organizational and Policy Challenges | 4 |
| HLS605 | Vulnerability Analysis and Protection | 4 |
| HLS606 | Homeland Security and Government | 4 |
| HLS616 | Research, Writing and Critical Thinking | 4 |
| HLS618 | Private Sector Role in Homeland Security | 4 |
| HLS689 | Homeland Security Capstone | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
Courses: Concentration
| HLS ELE 1-4 | Elective chosen from Emergency Management and Public Health track (listed below) | 4 |
| HLS ELE 2-4 | Elective chosen from Cybersecurity Policy track (listed below) | 4 |
| HLSELE3-4/4-4 | Elective chosen from any of the tracks listed below | 8 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Courses: Emergency Management and Public Health track
| HLS621 | Disaster Emergency Planning | 4 |
| HLS622 | Principles of Disaster Medicine | 4 |
| HLS623 | Emergency Management and Communication in Disasters | 4 |
| HLS624 | Introduction to Public Health | 4 |
Courses: Cyber Security track
| HLS641 | Introduction to Cybersecurity Policy | 4 |
| HLS642 | Government and the Cyber Sector | 4 |
| HLS643 | Cyber Organizations and Structures | 4 |
| HLS644 | Emerging Initiatives in Cybersecurity Strategy | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: 52