Associate of Science in Homeland Security
Online Degree ProgramWork to develop your Homeland Security skills with an online Associate of Science in Homeland Security (ASHLS) degree program at Trident. The degree program begins with exploring the fundamentals and ethics of homeland security, moves to interagency planning, and ends with the HLS 230 course in which the student will submit original work that reflects an integration of most coursework topics. Security scenarios and disaster simulations which provide a sense of realism will be included in courses.
More than 260,000 individuals are currently employed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security1. Agencies that hire Homeland Security educated practitioners include the U.S. Department of Labor, FEMA, U.S. Department of State, FBI, in addition to federal, state, or local law enforcement and private groups.
Students study how our country’s Homeland Security organizations protect our domestic and international communities. The ASHLS fundamental program’s focus is on the integral component of America’s emergency management enterprise, working to ensure the successful prevention, protection, and mitigation of hazards to human life.
Our programs are designed to align with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Preparedness Goal (2015). Specifically, the five mission areas (1) Prevention, (2) Protection, (3) Mitigation, (4) Response, (5) Recovery. The ASHLS fundamental program’s focus is on the first three missions. FEMA is a part of DHS and an integral component of America’s emergency management enterprise, working to ensure the successful prevention, protection, and mitigation of hazards to human life. Students will explore how our country’s Homeland Security organizations protect our domestic and international communities.
The EdActive™ Learning Approach emphasizes learning that is structured on a case-based approach to ensure your education is well-suited for the real world.
With our fully online college degree program, you will enjoy convenience and flexibility as you:
- Explore how to use technological tools as an integral component of America’s emergency management enterprise working to ensure the successful prevention, protection, and mitigation of hazards to human life
- Apply knowledge from a multidisciplinary context to make optimal real-world decisions
- Study the homeland security terminology to communicate with interagency and others in the field
- Apply appropriate interdisciplinary sources and quantitative skills as they relate to homeland security and emergency management natural and man-made scenarios
- Prepare to make decisions and act in a legal and ethical manner in times of disasters
ASHLS graduates can continue to advance their education by applying all of their earned ASHLS 60 credits towards Trident’s Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security program. Then may choose to continue their academic journey to become a Trident Triple and apply for the Master of Science in Homeland Security degree degree program.
See the Trident University Catalog for full descriptions of all program course offerings.
The Trident Difference
EdActive™ Learning Approach
Students are presented with a question or issue. They do their own research, apply their own experience and present their solution. Feedback and suggestions are received and the student applies the learning to their next task.
Flexibility
With flexible, 100% online classes you can manage your own time to deliver on deadline, with milestones to keep you on track. Faculty is responsive to student needs without daily micro-management.
Affordability
Trident is competitively priced with no application or lab fees. Scholarships and grants are available for those who qualify*.
Accreditation
Trident University International is a member of the American InterContinental University System. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
*University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the University’s Catalog or on its website and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.
Upon successful completion of the ASHS degree program graduates should be able to:
- Describe the National Preparedness Goal for preparing the whole community approach for all types of disasters and emergencies.
- Describe the national effort to secure critical infrastructure from all hazards through a risk analysis approach.
- Discuss intelligence gathering methodologies in consideration of ethical, legal, and oversight principles in homeland security.
- Differentiate between domestic and global terrorism threats.
Your courses at Trident are industry-relevant. As an Associate of Science in Homeland Security student, you will take a variety of classes, including Humanities and Fine Arts; Quantitative Skills; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Criminal Justice, and Management.
The Associate of Science in Homeland Security program requires 60 credits for degree completion. You will take 44 semester credits of program core and general education coursework along with 16 credits of free electives. Students can to transfer-in up to 16 credits toward free electives.*
The following standard transfer policies apply:
- Credits are considered for transfer from:
- Any regionally or nationally accredited college or university
- The American Council on Education (ACE)
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
- The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
- Excelsior
- Other non-traditional forms of learning as deemed appropriate by College Deans or designees.
- Decisions on the transfer of credits are ultimately at the discretion of the College Deans or designees.
- Students may formally appeal transfer decisions to the Provost or designee. Appeals must be submitted in writing and must be accompanied by supporting documentation or evidence such as a course syllabus.
- Students are urged to review the specific policy statement applicable to each degree program regarding maximum transferable credits to the program and concentration, or both.
- Transfer credits will not be included in the calculation of overall GPA.
If you plan to transfer-in potential credit, please review our transfer policy.
Did you know, you could potentially take fewer classes and shorten time to graduation by earning credit for prior learning*? Talk to your Student Success Advisor about this and other Prior Learning Assessment opportunities!
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the Trident University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Ways to Save
Scholarships & Grants
Trident offers an assortment of scholarships and grants to help make college more affordable for our students.*
*University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the University’s Catalog or on its website and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.
Credits for Prior Learning
Trident may award graduate credit for professional training and certifications.* Students may submit the request for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) during the admissions process. For questions or assistance contact an Admissions Advisor at admissions@trident.edu.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Work to develop your skills in human services with Trident’s online Associate of Science in Homeland Security (ASHLS) degree program. ASHLS students study how our country's homeland security organizations protect our domestic and international communities. The degree program is designed to help students prepare to pursue a career path in the homeland security field. ASHLS graduates have the opportunity to continue to advance their education by applying their earned AS in Homeland Security credits towards Trident's Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security degree program.
Students in this degree program will study the ways in which America’s emergency management organizations coordinate to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond, and facilitate recovery following natural or human-caused disasters at home and abroad. They will study homeland security terminology needed to communicate with others in the field and explore how decisions are made during times of disaster.
Trident’s Associate of Science in Homeland Security (ASHLS) degree program requires 60 hours to graduate.
You may be eligible for transfer credit with provided official transcripts*.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
You can begin your education at Trident now. Classes at Trident begin monthly. Completion of the applications and admissions processes will depend on how quickly you begin.
Speak to an Admissions Advisor over the phone (1-800-579-3197) or request information online.
Once you have completed the online request, you may hear from an advisor within 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.
Trident offers flexible courses in a curriculum tailored to skills and tools utilized in the field of education today. In addition, it was developed for working adults. Trident evaluates military training and traditional academic credit to maximize potential credit transfer* as well as offering several non-traditional ways to earn academic credits that can accelerate your ability to meet graduation requirements. Degree candidates can pursue an education degree online, allowing the flexibility to study on their own schedules.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
