HOMELAND SECURITY (ONLINE DEGREE)

ECSU's undergraduate Homeland Security Bachelor of Science degree is available 100% Online. That means you can stay active with your current commitments while gaining in-demand skills.

Our program focuses on the real-world application of national security and criminology principles.  The curriculum is designed to provide graduates with knowledge and skills such areas as: Security, Surveillance and Investigations, Big Data Analysis for Forecasting, Homeland Security Operations, Legal Issues in Homeland Security. The use of technology as teaching and learning tools are highly emphasized and incorporated in most courses. Critical thinking and ethical values are also emphasized.

The B.S. degree in Homeland Security provides basic preparation for careers in Security Intelligence, Surveillance and Investigations, Security Data Analytics for Forecasting, Homeland Security Operations, Immigration and Border Patrol, Legal Issues in Homeland Security. A Homeland Security degree is an excellent way for many career goals and is in demand because of the intelligence, surveillance, and analytical skills that it develops. Accounting is one of the fastest growing professions, and graduates with good GPAs have numerous career choices and opportunities in Homeland Security fields (Jobs and Opportunities at Homeland Security). It is also an excellent preparation for continued study for graduate degrees in several fields, such as Homeland Security, Criminal Justice, Law,  Intelligence Studies, and Security Studies.

What you will Learn:

• Written and Oral Communication
• Problem solving skills
• High degree of teamwork
• Data and Intelligence Analysis
• Empathy
• Ability to thrive in a high-stress environment
• Apply critical thinking skills based on data driven decision making.

 

Experience that Matters:

The program requires a student to take 120 credit hours, of which maximum of 60 credit hours and 50% of the degree total could be transferred. 

Problem-based Learning Projects have been implemented in several classes. This approach allows students to learn through the experience of solving problems in a way that they learn both the content and thinking strategies.

The program utilizes small class size with individual attention to serve the majors better.

Experiential learning through class projects have provided unique opportunities to promote teamwork and communications in workplaces.

Students are encouraged to participate in student organizations to help build teamwork and leadership skills. They are also encouraged to engage in an internship to gain work experience and an understanding of how the affairs in homeland security operates.

---

PLAN OF STUDY

Homeland Security (Online)

The homeland security degree was designed to lead you to a career to protect and serve your community. 

Potential career fields include:

• U.S. Postal Inspector

• Fraud Investigator (FEMA)

• Information Security Agent

• Federal Law Enforcement Training Advisor/Instructor

• Cybercrimes Agent (FBI)

• Federal Air Marshal (TSA) Transportation Security Administration

• Surveillance Agent (FBI)

• ICE Agent – Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent

• Crime Prevention Specialist

• Intelligence Analyst (NSA)

• US Customs Agent and Border Protection Agency

• Cybersecurity Analyst

• Intergovernmental Affairs

• Border Patrol Agent

• Emergency Management Specialist

• Counterterrorism Analyst

• FBI Agent

• National Park Ranger

• Transportation Security Officer (TSA)

 

The Department of Homeland Security has excellent resources for you to explore jobs and opportunities by going to the following site:

Students and Recent Grads to Explore Jobs and Opportunity at the Department of Homeland Security

 

Salary Information:

For graduates in Homeland Security, the salary varies by the expertise and the focus of the job. The range is between $34,000 and $145,000. A TSA officer may start at $34,000 whereas a Counterterrorism Agent’s average starting pay is $49,000 while the median income for a FBI agent is $67,000. The expertise in IT may lead a graduate to start with $106,000. 

 

Here are a few snapshots:

Job	Salary
Counterterrorism Agent	$49,481-$97,333
FBI Agent	$34,105-$145,050
IT Security Agent	$101,000 (Average)
Cyber Crimes Agent	$45,000-$129,000
Airport Security Agent	$45,000-$70,000
US Custom & Border Protection Officer	$64,000 (GL 5/7; GL 9)
US Postal Inspector	$75,000 (Average)
Crime Prevention Specialist	$51,000 (Average)
Information Security Agent	$101,000 (Average)
NSA Agent	$106,000 (Average)
CIA Agent	$50,000-$100,000

International Association for Counterterrorism & Security Professionals (IACSP)

International Association of Crime Analysis

American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)

Center for Homeland Defense and Security

Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA)

National Sheriffs’ Association

Advancing Security Worldwide

American Society of Criminology

Centre of Excellence Defence Against Terrorism

The Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (ACTSP)

The Homeland Security Program will inaugurate a club at ECSU in the year 2020-21. Until we have a club, our students may become members of the Criminal Justice Club at ECSU.

Order of the Sword & Shield (Omicron Sigma Sigma)

Epsilon Pi Phi

• Strong Written and Oral Communication
• Problem Solving Skills
• High Degree of Teamwork
• Data and Intelligence Analysis
• Empathy
• Ability to thrive in a high-stress environment

HMLS 215: Introduction to Homeland Security

HMLS 230:Border and Immigration Control

HMLS 325: Critical Infrastructure Protection

HMLS 360: Introduction to Intelligence

Analysis

SOC 391: The Sociology of Terrorism

EM 315: Weapons of Mass Destruction

• Preparing communities for the unexpected situations by utilizing big data and forecasting techniques.
• Going beyond policymaking and implementation by understanding the larger organizational, social, political, ethical and economic aspects of security and intelligence studies.
• Partnering for the big picture by collaborating to protect against threats to our infrastructure, public safety, cybersecurity, public health and more.
• Creating a manpower to make the society, nation, and world better and safer.
• Equipping graduates with contemporary tools and software (e.g., social computing of data, Spatial Analysis of Intelligence Data, Machine Learning tools, etc.) to deal with the complex nature of attacks.

Elizabeth City State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).  SACSCOC is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
SACSCOC is located at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA  30033 (404) 679-4500.

Elizabeth City State University delivers online education programs and courses throughout the United States and Internationally.  All programs and courses have been approved by The University of North Carolina System.
The System is located at 910 Raleigh Road, P. O. Box 2688, Chapel Hill, NC  27514  (919) 962-1000.

For additional ECSU accreditation information visit the SACSCOC Accreditation website.