Hybrid Master of Science Degree in Homeland Security (Law and Policy)


Homeland Security students in class

What is homeland security?

Homeland security is a national effort to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure and resilient against terrorism and other hazards. The homeland security curriculum provides a basic grounding in law and policy related to homeland security, national security and advanced knowledge of specific homeland security fields. The program is specifically designed to give non-lawyers advanced instruction in a wide variety of topics. No prior military or disaster management experience is required for admission. Courses may include: 

  • The intricacies of both domestic and international law relating to homeland security
  • Specific threats currently in play for the U.S.
  • Planning processes for homeland security mitigation
  • Managing homeland security incidents effectively

What career possibilities does a hybrid master’s in homeland security offer?

Homeland security professionals work in an increasingly complex environment requiring high-level critical and creative thinking. Whether you’re a military officer or a government or private sector employee responsible for security operations and disaster preparedness, the hybrid M.S. in Homeland Security (Law & Policy) degree will advance your technical expertise and enhance your value to your organization. Through a culminating simulation course, you will prove your readiness to manage an intensive homeland security crisis, providing frontline leadership in the following sectors:

 

Homeland security career paths Transportation, Public works, Defense, Emergency Management, Immigration, Law Enforcement, Public Health

Is a hybrid master’s in homeland security right for me?

You can pursue the School of Law’s interdisciplinary graduate degree and certificate programs in homeland security (law and policy) in-person at KU in Leavenworth or as a mix of in-person courses and online courses. With courses from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and the schools of Engineering, Journalism and Medicine, you will gain relevant and timely background for current problems in the world today.

Gain a strong foundation in law and policy as it relates to homeland security – as well as homeland security legislative and administrative policies and goals – and advance your knowledge in specific homeland security fields relating directly to the public and private spheres.

Questions?

Lucas Schmalbeck
  • Leavenworth Program Coordinator

What hybrid homeland security graduate programs are available at KU?

KU offers a master’s degree option and graduate certificate for homeland security.

The homeland security master’s degree requires 33 credit hours, including 12 hours in three core areas and 21 hours of electives, or seven courses.

Core courses address both domestic U.S. law and international law and policy relating to homeland security and survey the various areas most significant for those who work in the field. Included among these are cyberterrorism, attacks on critical U.S. infrastructure, natural disasters, epidemics and chemical and biohazards.

You can choose elective courses that will build upon the basic core courses and explore topics in greater depth as well as other related topics such as crisis communications and the sociology of terror networks.

The final core simulation class requires you to put the knowledge you acquired in the classroom to practical use in a two-day simulation of a major national crisis. You assume the roles of various high-level officials who must react to and attempt to resolve the crises presented to them.

The homeland security certificate program requires 12 credit hours and provides you with the opportunity to generate expertise in basic areas of homeland security, including cyber law and cybersecurity.

The certificate consists of two of the three core courses required for the full master’s degree. These core courses, coupled with a course in cybersecurity law and policy and two electives, provide a solid educational foundation in homeland security law with specialized knowledge and skill in cyber law and security.

Master of Science Homeland Security 33 credit hours 21 Credit hours of electives, 12 credit hours of Core CoursesGraduate Certificate in Homeland Security 12 credit hours 2 electives 2 core courses
Why start the hybrid master’s in homeland security program?

Flexible

  • Offered in-person at the KU Leavenworth location and hybrid
  • Complete the degree in one year
  • Graduate certificate option

Quality

  • Credentialed, experienced faculty
  • Globally recognized academics
  • KU is one of 38 public university members of the prestigious Association of American Universities, a group of America's leading research universities

Useful

  • Curriculum emphasizing real-world application and relevant issues
  • Interdisciplinary courses that apply to a variety of fields