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Homeland security is one of the most meaningful and rewarding careers out there. This job often involves protecting the safety and freedom of the country and its people. With a Homeland Security degree, students become armed with the skills integral to this exciting profession.
One of the options is to earn an associate’s degree in homeland security. This program is ideal for those who are still contemplating the direction of their career. They can use the time to weigh their options and eventually pursue a bachelor’s degree later on once they make up their mind.
Students in this degree program will be able to explore the best ways to tackle domestic and international terrorism, cybersecurity, emergency planning, and infrastructure security, among others.
Earning such an educational degree will expand their job chances and help them secure positions at every government level, whether local, state, or federal. They can also work in private and non-profit organizations.
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The Lowdown
Working students and professionals who wish to pursue a career in the field of homeland security can easily access the program online. Many universities in the country offer some of the best online associates in homeland security degree programs.
Students who would like to specialize may find some concentrations applicable to their program of choice, with specializations ranging from law enforcement and military leadership to information systems security.
A lot of positions in the field of homeland security may require continuing education. Students who want to succeed will want to make sure they obtain the required credentials and get training that adheres to industry standards
15 Best Online Associates in Homeland Security
Trident University
AS in Homeland Security
The online Associate of Science in Homeland Security degree offered by Trident University offers the convenience and flexibility that students need to pursue a fulfilling career in the field. Students are assured of gaining practical knowledge applicable to the real world through the program’s emphasis on structured, case-based approach learning.
- Students are taught the fundamentals of homeland security organizations’ role in protecting domestic and international communities.
- The online homeland security program focuses on America’s emergency management enterprise’s integral component that ensures success in preventing, protecting, and mitigating the hazards of human life, including international terrorism.
- Students can apply their earned associate degree credits toward the university’s Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security program.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The online associate in homeland security program at Trident University is aligned with the Department of Homeland Security’s National Preparedness Goal, mainly focusing on three out of five mission areas that include prevention, protection, and mitigation.
Did You Know?
To earn the program, students must complete the required 60 credits; 44 of those semester credits are devoted to core courses. Students are allowed to transfer up to 16 credits against free electives.
Georgia Military College
Associate in Homeland Security & Emergency Management
Georgia Military College offers an online Associate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management degree program. It is ideal for hopeful Homeland Security professionals who enjoy a satisfying career with much room for growth.
- Students in this program will learn all about homeland security law and policy, terrorism studies, strategic planning, and risk analysis.
- Students are expected to identify and articulate the different agencies involved in Homeland Security.
- This homeland security curriculum includes core courses that are integral to the development of students’ proficiencies in the field.
- Graduates of this program are well-prepared to take on a four-year degree or work in various settings and capacities, including safety management, emergency management, private security, and more.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The goal of Georgie Military College is to offer an affordable, quality college education. The estimated annual cost of the program is just around $8000, which is way lower compared to other degrees of its kind.
Did You Know?
Georgia Military College has a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation, granting them to award both associate and bachelor of applied science degrees.
Barton Community College
AAS in Emergency Management – Homeland Security
Barton Community College, a public community college, offers a 64-credit hour Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Management – Homeland Security, designed for those entering the Emergency Management field and to provide additional training for those who are currently in it.
- The Program is available either as a 1-year Certificate Program or a 2-Year Associate Degree. Certificate programs in Emergency Operations Specialist and Emergency Planning & Mitigation are also offered.
- Through Barton Online, courses are offered in four-, six-, eight-, and 16-week formats, with 15 online sessions throughout the year.
- The program emphasis courses include Emergency Planning, Hazardous Materials Response, Mitigation, as well as Continuity of Operations.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Barton Community College has standing 2+2 agreements with Kansas State University (BS in Applied Business and Technology – Technology Management), Kansas Wesleyan University (BS in Emergency Management), and Southwestern College (BS in Security Management), letting students earn the latter two years of these degrees also through distance education.
Did You Know?
A significant percentage of active professionals in the program are full-time law enforcement, emergency medical services, or fire department personnel who serve as part-time emergency managers.
Campbell University
Associate of Science in Homeland Security
Campbell University, a private non-profit university, offers an Associate of Science in Homeland Security. This online associate degree program is designed to provide students with the competency required to launch their homeland security careers.
- Students are trained in the fundamentals of the homeland security system, strategies for disaster prevention and emergency management, as well as the contexts behind international and domestic terrorism.
- This homeland security associate degree contains a total of 62 credit hours and covers courses in General Education, as well as in the Homeland Security Concentration area. Courses include Emergency Management, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Terrorism, Intelligence, and Interagency Operations.
- Classes are delivered in accelerated 8-week terms, which lessens the completion time of the degree.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Campbell University’s also offers its Homeland Security Degree as a 4-year Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science degree (124 credit hours total each) and is the only 4-year Homeland Security undergraduate program in North Carolina.
Did You Know?
Campbell’s homeland security curriculum is based on the critical needs identified by the US Department of Homeland Security and is continually updated to meet current needs and challenges in the homeland security field.
SUNY Monroe Community College
Associate of Science in Homeland Security
Monroe Community College, which is part of the State University of New York, offers an accredited Associate of Science in Homeland Security program, which opens students to various homeland security careers at community, national, or global levels.
- This online homeland security program contains 63 credit hours total and is designed to be equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.
- Courses include International Politics, Emergency Management, Organizational and Facility Security, and Perspectives on Terrorism and Homeland Security.
- The SUNY Monroe AS in Homeland Security program is Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredited.
What Makes This Program Unique:
As part of the SUNY system, graduates of this associate degree in homeland security can apply for transfer as a junior in SUNY’s Bachelor’s degree programs in homeland security, emergency management, or a related major.
Did You Know?
This degree is one of SUNY’s Online Plus Program, which includes 24/7 support and targets high employer demand areas in New York State and beyond.
Waldorf University
Associate of Arts in Homeland Security
A private university in Forest City, Iowa, Waldorf University offers an Associate of Arts in Homeland Security, which is a good entry point for various homeland security careers and into Waldorf’s bachelor’s degree programs.
- The program contains a total of 60 credit hours, with 45 credits of General Education and 15 credits of Major Requirements.
- Courses include Disaster Planning and Management, Terrorism Response Operations, American Homeland Security, and Weapons of Mass Destruction.
- With full-time enrollment, this Associate of Arts program can be completed in two years.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Waldorf’s Homeland Security associate degree satisfies the requirements for the Homeland Security concentration of Waldorf’s BS in Criminal Justice degree and is designed as entry preparation into Waldorf’s other bachelor’s degree programs.
Did You Know?
The curriculum design of this program is meant to reflect the foundational knowledge and skills set out by the US Department of Homeland Security.
Keiser University
Associate of Arts in Homeland Security
A private, non-profit university in Florida, Keiser University offers an Associate of Arts in Homeland Security that is offered online and on-campus throughout Keiser University’s campuses throughout the state.
- The program is ideal for obtaining entry-level positions in homeland security, as it provides students with fundamental homeland security knowledge, as well as an understanding of domestic and international terrorism.
- The program contains a total of 60 credit hours.
- The curriculum includes general education courses, as well as lessons from behavioral science and homeland security thematic areas.
What Makes This Program Unique:
This degree program includes practical knowledge in hazardous materials identification and handling, on top of response to terrorism and cyber-terrorism.
Did You Know?
This degree program is also offered in Keiser University’s US-accredited Latin American Campus, located in San Marcos, Carazo, Nicaragua.
Hawaii Pacific University
Associate of Science in Homeland Security
Hawaii Pacific University, a private, non-profit university based in Honolulu, offers an Associate of Science in Homeland Security degree program, which contains a total of 60 credit hours.
- The program provides training for homeland security careers in the private and public sectors, which includes federal, state, and local government, security organizations, and private sector law enforcement.
- The program integrates perspectives in Political Science, Criminal Justice, and History in its design, together with the critical processes of Homeland Security issues and dilemmas.
- Courses include Disaster Preparedness & Response, Cybersecurity, Dimensions of Terrorism, and Basic Criminology, among others.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Aside from career entry immediately upon graduation, this program also leads to Hawaii Pacific’s BS in Diplomatic and Military Studies, BS in Criminal Justice, or BA in International Studies degree programs.
Did You Know?
Hawaii Pacific University also offers related Associate of Science degrees in Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity, which are both online programs that also lead to their equivalent Bachelor of Science degrees at Hawaii Pacific University.
Drury University
Associate of Science in Emergency Management
Drury University, a private, non-profit university in Springfield, Missouri, offers an Associate of Science in Emergency Management. While it isn’t strictly a Homeland Security degree program, it still contains similar courses and parallel thematic areas.
- The program contains a total of 62 credit hours, which can be completed in 2 years.
- The AS in Emergency Management program is designed to prepare students with skills that help them bring resiliency to their organizations and communities, as well as the necessary learning experience to become leaders in emergency management.
- Emphasis area courses include Organizational Leadership, Hazard Identification, Disaster Planning and Preparedness, Terrorism, and Financial Literacy for Leaders.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Drury’s AS in Emergency Management degree is eligible for Missouri’s Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant.
Did You Know?
Drury University also offers online Associate Programs in Criminal Justice or Paralegal Studies, as well as online Certificate Programs in Community Policing and Conflict Resolution.
Southern New Hampshire University
AS in Cyber Security
Southern New Hampshire University, a private, non-profit university, offers an online Associate of Science in Cyber Security. While it isn’t a Homeland Security degree program, it contains similar courses and has a significant thematic overlap as they deal with the same security issues and concerns.
The program contains a total of 60 credit hours, and students can transfer up to 45 credits of previous experience, including industry credentials like a CompTIA A+ certification.
All credits earned in this AS degree program can also be transferred towards SNHU’s four-year online BS in Cyber Security.
The AS in Cyber Security program also aligns with various recognized standards like NIST’s NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and the CSEC Cyber Security Education Consortium.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Students get the chance to participate in National Cyber League competitions, and they also get to save more with the program’s use of open-source software and course materials.
Did You Know?
Southern New Hampshire University also offers the web-based Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, which also contains courses that relate to Homeland Security thematic areas.
Ivy Tech Community College
AS in Homeland Security/Public Safety
An Associate of Science in Homeland Security/Public Safety from Ivy Tech Community College prepares interested students for careers in a range of areas, including homeland security, emergency management, fire science, and environmental health, among others.
- Homeland security students are taught to recognize and understand cultural and individual differences, allowing them to comprehend social, civic, political, and environmental responsibilities as they relate to society.
- They are equipped with skills essential to career and promotional advancement in public safety.
- Students will be able to hone their management and leadership skills, along with creative and critical thinking skills.
What Makes This Program Unique:
This program emphasizes the importance of developing relevant job skills, including solving management problems, enhancing human resource potential, creating strategic plans, and so much more. This means students will learn on-the-job skills and work towards certifications such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Illinois Department of Human Services.
Did You Know?
The associate’s degree in Homeland Security/Public Safety is also offered in Ivy Tech Community College’s partner schools, including Franklin University of Ohio, Indiana Wesleyan University, Purdue Global, and Vincennes University.
Hudson County Community College
AS in Criminal Justice (Homeland Security Option)
The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice online program at Hudson County Community College has a Homeland Security option that allows both online learning and on-campus classes.
- The program focuses on several key areas – policing, the courts, corrections, and homeland security, all of which are integral to the criminal justice system.
- The homeland security concentration introduces homeland security issues that include law enforcement and investigations, domestic and international terrorism, fundamentals of emergency management, and introduction to the intelligence function.
- Some courses included in this associate’s degree program are Corrections, Ethics and Justice, Introduction to Sociology, Policeman’s role in the Community, and more.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The associate’s degree program in criminal justice is designed for students who are determined to pursue continuing education at a four-year college. Some of the schools where students can seamlessly transfer their associate’s degree credits from Hudson County Community College include Rutgers University-Newark, St. Peters University, New Jersey City University, and Kean University.
Did You Know?
Students with an annual gross income of less than $65,000 can take advantage of the college’s Office of Financial Aid’s assistance. They can avail of the Community College Opportunity Grant, which entitles them to free tuition and fees. Other financial aid options include grants, scholarships, and student loans.
Georgia State University, Perimeter College
AS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Georgia State University, Perimeter College offers the Associate of Science (AS) in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, ideal for students who wish to proceed to a bachelor’s degree.
- This online degree program requires 42 hours of core curriculum and 18 hours of courses for one’s chosen pathway.
- Students will gain knowledge and skills integral to emergency management and homeland security professionals who will later work in governmental services and agencies and other relevant organizations.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The program is designed to train future emergency management and homeland security professionals in coordinating, managing, and delivering resources during emergency situations, including tornadoes and terrorist attacks.
Did You Know?
Georgia State University, Perimeter College has a SACSCOC accreditation.
The Pennsylvania State University
AS in Criminal Justice
The online Associate of Science (AS) in Criminal Justice program offered by the Pennsylvania State University features coursework that explores the intersection between three disciplines – criminal justice, public policy, and behavioral science.
- Students who want to delve into the homeland security field can take an undergraduate minor in homeland security, which can be a valuable enhancement to the criminal justice major.
- The homeland security minor tackles homeland security and defense issues, ranging from emergency management to security policy and operations.
- To earn this minor, one needs to complete a total of 18 credits.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The same faculty teaching the on-campus classes handles the online courses for the Criminal Justice associate’s degree program. Getting a Penn State degree online will still give students the same recognized and respected credentials they can add to their resumes.
Did You Know?
The Penn State World Campus is known for its commitment to helping military and veterans achieve their educational goals by providing different financial aid options and other forms of support.
American Military University
AA in Counter Terrorism Studies
Prospective students who want to gain a greater understanding of the post-9/11 world and the complexities of counterterrorism may want to consider earning an Associate of Arts in Counter Terrorism Studies from the American Military University.
- This online program explores the origins and motivations of terrorism.
- Online students are expected to identify the different domestic and international terrorist groups, along with their leadership and tactics.
- They should be able to determine the changing nature of domestic and international terrorism.
What Makes This Program Unique:
On top of its counter-terrorism emphasis, this program also prepares future homeland security professionals to take on responsibilities within public safety organizations.
Did You Know?
Typically, the American Military University charges a $65 technology fee per course. However, active-duty military, National Guard members, and reservists don’t have to pay this fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular career paths for Associate in Homeland Security graduates?
Some of the most well-known Homeland Security jobs include border patrol officer, security guard, law enforcement officer, fire lieutenant, fire investigator, facility safety officer, and environmental field technician, among others.
Is an Associate in Homeland Security worth pursuing?
Absolutely. An associate degree in homeland security is typically designed to enable students to readily accept entry-level positions in the field right after graduation across various domains like law enforcement, private security, or agencies dealing with disaster response or to pursue related bachelor’s degrees.
The world continues to face a variety of challenges to security and resilience, and this growing need will conceivably open the door for many career opportunities.
However, the curriculum design of these homeland security programs also provides students with emergency response skills, strategic planning and resource utilization, and other practical skills that are readily applicable to everyday life and in various emergency situations.
Summary Points
Associate Degrees in Homeland Security open the door for careers in various fields related to law enforcement, intelligence, emergency management, disaster response, and more, in both private and public sectors.
Crucially, these homeland security programs contain courses that have a lot of usefulness and applicability in everyday life, preparing individuals to respond competently to emergencies.
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