Homeland Security Degree

Prepare. Respond. Lead.

How global communities respond to natural and human disasters is of growing importance. Since the formation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security a decade ago, as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center, a new body of knowledge has emerged, and our national safety and disaster preparedness needs have shifted and grown.

Concordia University's bachelor's degree in homeland security prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and personal ethics to help ensure safety and resiliency for local, national, and global communities.

Our degree follows national curriculum recommendations set forth by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

As part of our graduation requirements, students spend time in the field, internships at public agencies, private companies, and nonprofit organizations supporting students' smooth transition into meaningful nonprofit, public-sector, and private-sector careers.

Sample Homeland Security Curriculum

INTRODUCTION TO HOMELAND SECURITY - This course provides an initial exposure to national security studies and is designed to provide a basic understanding of this topic to those pursuing a major as well as those with an interest in this field of study. This course will help students discover the numerous facets of Homeland Security and where they might find career potential in this discipline.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND MANAGEMENT - This is an exploration of the roles, duties, and responsibilities of Emergency Management in local, state, tribal, and federal constructs.

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ROOTS OF TERRORISM - This course includes the study of terrorism as the impetus for the development of Homeland Security as a discipline. A variety of terrorist groups will be studied to glean the conditions that foster terrorism. Students will also review counterterrorism, counter-radicalization, the influence of the media, and human terrain.

THE IMPACT OF NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY - Students will explore the genesis and influence of past policy, the status of current policy, and the potential future policy that define and guide Homeland Security.

LEGAL, MORAL, AND CIVIL RIGHTS - As Homeland Security matures, the legal boundaries and human considerations expand and at the same time produce additional areas for exploration. Students will identify the implications and explore moral, respectful solutions.

CHARACTER AND ETHICS OF LEADERSHIP - As practitioners navigate the murky areas involving the moral, legal, and ethical consideration of Homeland Security, there is a particular onus on leaders to work within a legal, moral, and ethical framework. This course explores current models and guides students in the exploration and development of their own character and values.

THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY - This course is a study of the role, mission, processes, and limitations of the intelligence community. Additionally, students explore the role of intelligence in Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Homeland Security Program, students will:

Demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, personal ethics, and attitudes to provide the leadership necessary to ensure the safety of America's citizens.
Be prepared to protect the rights of our citizens.
Trusting in the importance of a faith-based foundation, and with guidance from a moral and ethical foundation, secure the safety of our citizens within the framework of the law.
Apply critical leadership skills to successfully lead communities through an emerging crisis and help them prevent, prepare, respond, and recover.
Facilitate cooperation among all community stakeholders to capitalize on the synergy created by partnerships and collaboration.
Mentally process and analyze manmade and natural threats so communities can anticipate, prevent, and counter such threats.
Obtain and process information regarding risk to communities, the citizens of our land, and critical state and national resources.
Gather and analyze critical HLS information for additional meaning and relevance.