Best Online Associate in Homeland Security Programs

Bachelor’s in homeland security programs build on the skills and knowledge gained in an associate degree, examining advanced concepts in areas such as cybersecurity, criminology, domestic and international terrorism, and emergency management.

Many bachelor’s in homeland security programs include an internship that allows learners to gain practical experience in the field. Some schools offer a standalone bachelor’s in homeland security, while others offer a criminal justice degree with a concentration in homeland security.

Bachelor’s in emergency management programs teach students how to manage natural and man-made disasters. Graduates can work as emergency management directors, management analysts, law enforcement supervisors, and environmental health and safety managers.

Learners study topics like project management and budgeting for emergencies and disasters, risk perception awareness, and GIS for emergency and disaster management. These professionals need strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

A bachelor’s in criminal justice is an interdisciplinary degree that examines concepts in forensic science, criminology, homeland security, and cybersecurity. Learners study topics like criminal law and procedure, ethics in criminal justice, and leadership in law enforcement.

Some programs include concentrations that allow students to tailor the degree to their interests and goals. Common concentrations include corrections, rehabilitation, law enforcement, and research methods. Graduates can work as corrections managers, crime scene investigators, and FBI agents.

Bachelor’s in cybercrime programs examine the ways that technology and criminal justice intersect. Students learn how to recognize and address fraud, digital infiltration, and security breaches.

Common course topics include virtualization and cloud security, advanced ethical hacking, incident response and malware analysis, and security information and event management.

Graduates can work as security software developers, security consultants, cryptographers, and security analysts.

Police officers work to enforce local laws and monitor communities. They may patrol a specific neighborhood, make traffic stops, arrest suspects, and respond to emergency calls. Officers may also track and observe suspected criminals and collect evidence.

Some precincts require or prefer officers to hold a college degree, while others only require a high school diploma. All candidates must graduate from a police training academy before beginning work. Police officers need strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

Information security analysts protect the digital components of a business or government agency. They conduct scans for security breaches, install encryption and firewall software, and contract with ethical hackers to find weak points of entry.

These professionals typically need a bachelor’s degree, though some hiring managers prefer a graduate degree. Information security analysts must be detail-oriented and have strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Emergency management directors create and implement response plans for man-made and natural disasters. They assess potential emergencies, work with other public safety professionals, share resources, and develop emergency response training programs.

These detail-oriented professionals must consider catastrophes from every angle to create sophisticated response procedures. Emergency management directors need a bachelor’s degree and relevant experience.

Homeland security focuses on domestic and international terrorism.

An associate in homeland security is a two-year degree that provides learners with the cornerstone skills and knowledge needed to both excel in entry-level positions and pursue further study after graduation.

Graduates with a homeland security associate degree can pursue entry-level roles in areas like security, infrastructure, surveillance, and emergency preparedness, or they can enroll in bachelor’s programs.

It typically takes two years of full-time study to earn an associate degree.