Online Homeland Security Degree

Completing an online homeland security degree with AIU can teach you how the U.S. borders and other critical infrastructure are kept safe through intelligence gathering and by leveraging innovative technologies. Study laws, national security principles, and policies governing homeland security for efficient disaster management and threat relief.

Our homeland security online courses offer flexibility to earn your degree at your own pace. Mobile-friendly coursework helps you study toward your online homeland security degree while accommodating all your other responsibilities.

Your Graduation Team can help you navigate the enrollment process and help answer any questions you may have about the program. Find out how you could transfer in up to 75% of qualifying credits toward a degree at AIU, how to get credit for eligible military and work experience¹, and how to customize your education with intellipath^®.

What can you do with an online degree in homeland security?

AIU’s online homeland security degree program is designed to help you grasp key criminal justice concepts and understand national security policy, counter-terrorism methods, and crisis management. Successfully completing this degree can teach you the inner-workings of our nation’s criminal justice and homeland security functions.

Prerequisite for AIU’s online homeland security degree program?

There are no prerequisites to enroll in AIU’s online degree in homeland security. Your dedicated Graduation Team is available to support you along your academic journey, from enrollment to graduation.

Bachelor’s degree in homeland security curriculum

Our online homeland security degree program offers a research-driven, hands-on criminal justice education with a focus on the methodologies and operations of the homeland security sector. The curriculum has a strong criminal justice foundation that thoroughly explores crime theory, the U.S. legal system, crime victim studies, and constitutional procedure.

This online degree is designed to provide a comprehensive disaster relief education with FEMA modules, exploring risk analysis and emergency planning. An AIU education combines real-world experience and faculty members who have been in the industry for many years.

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Not all programs are available to residents of all states.
American InterContinental University cannot guarantee employment or salary.

1. Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Total tuition for this degree program may vary depending on your educational needs, existing experience, and other factors.

Estimate your costs, potential savings and graduation date.

For a Homeland Security Degree Online, your classes may include:

Foundations of Crisis Management

This course introduces students to various concepts and strategies involved in crisis management. Students will learn of different types of disasters (natural and manmade), organizational responses, preparedness, mitigation and recovery techniques.

Terrorism and Homeland Security

This course presents an overview of the key security issues facing the United States in both the areas of Homeland Security and Terrorism. It introduces students to the changing dynamics of homeland security at both the national and state levels. Students will explore the various dynamics of providing security in different settings. Additionally, the history and future of terrorism will be examined.

Critical Infrastructures

Understanding the concepts pertaining to critical infrastructure in fighting terrorism is a core component of Homeland Security studies. The student will study how to identify the different sectors of critical infrastructure, and the assets within various sectors that must be protected. Various strategies utilized to protect key assets will be covered.

Interagency Collaboration and Homeland Security

This course is designed to introduce students to national security policies, the nature of the collaboration that exists between the various agencies involved in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Federal, state, and local agencies all play a role in Homeland Security and Crisis Management, and this course is structured to assist students to understand how the various agencies interact with each other and work together to protect the nation from all types of hazards and threats. The importance of interagency and intra-agency communication and coordination will be covered.

Psychosocial Dimensions of Terrorism

This course is designed to guide students into examining the motivations behind terrorist groups and the psychosocial impact of terrorist attacks. The course is structured to assist students in understanding the impact of fear and government response to terrorism in the media. The students will explore various ways that these responses shape public perception and attitude towards terrorist threats and attacks.

Communication and Crisis Planning

This course combines primary areas of homeland security /crisis management, i.e., intelligence, strategic planning, critical infrastructure, research and analysis, technology and strategic communications to provide students with a basis for developing a coordinated response. Students will develop an emergency plan to address preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery.

University Catalog

Course content subject to change.

Stress and Crisis Management

This course, to be delivered in three phases, addresses conflict resolution, stress management and working with survivors. Combining aspects of sociological and psychological considerations, students have the opportunity to develop skills necessary to help resolve interpersonal conflict under very trying and stressful conditions like those marked by catastrophic incidents such as a terrorist act or a natural disaster. Students will study how conflict is an inevitable, and complex, yet normal result of working closely with others in a high pressure, stress-inducing environment. This course is designed to provide students with guidelines and methods for recognizing and mitigating high-pressure stress inducing symptoms. Students will explore how survivors of a traumatic event will have various psychological and physical reactions.

Homeland Security & Crisis Management Planning

This course is designed to provide students with the necessary tools for planning and responding to Homeland Security threats and disasters, and for managing emergency situations. Students will be introduced to the "how to" aspects of planning.

What is a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) with a Specialization in Homeland Security and Crisis Management degree?

AIU’s bachelor’s degree specialized in homeland security and crisis management is designed to provide knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant for pursuing potential opportunities in the homeland security and criminal justice fields. This degree program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of both the criminal justice system, and terrorism and crisis management.

How long does it take to earn a BSCJ with a specialization in homeland security and crisis management?

Our bachelor’s degree programs are designed as 48-month programs. However, many factors can impact your time to completion. The time it may take you to earn your BSCJ degree can be influenced by course loads, proficiency and/or transfer credits, and breaks.

What kind of courses will I take to earn a BSCJ in homeland security and crisis management degree?

As you work to complete your BSCJ degree with a specialization in homeland security and crisis management, you will be immersed in courses such as: Terrorism and Homeland Security; Communication and Crisis Planning; Critical Infrastructures; and Foundations of Crisis Management.

When can I begin my homeland security and crisis management classes?

Courses for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Degree with a Specialization in Homeland Security and Crisis Management start approximately every five weeks. Your actual start date is based on several factors, including receiving academic and financial documentation.

How many credits are required to graduate from the BSCJ in homeland security and crisis management degree program?

The BSCJ degree program consists of 180 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. Please see the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Why should I pursue a BSCJ with a specialization in homeland security and crisis management degree?

Upon earning your BSCJ in homeland security and crisis management degree, you should have received a research-driven, hands-on criminal justice education with a focus on the methodologies and operations of the homeland security sector. By studying key topics in homeland security and crisis management, you can: be able to conduct risk analysis and create emergency plans and strategic communications for homeland security and crisis management; work to have the knowledge to apply key research areas on terrorism, counter-terrorism, and natural disaster to concepts of homeland security and crisis management through various scenarios; and have an understanding of the concepts of ethics and diversity as they relate to homeland security and crisis management.