Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security
Online Degree ProgramAre you passionate about pursuing an education in which you can help prevent terrorism and enhance American security? You can earn an online Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security (BSHLS) degree, designed to help enable you to advance your education while making an impact on the well-being of our nation. This affordable online college degree program is designed to help you develop a foundation in the field of homeland security.
Our online Homeland Security degree program is designed for adult students with busy schedules. The EdActive™ Learning Approach utilizes a case-based approach to promote readiness in the real-world application of the skills developed in our degree programs. The online format is designed for convenience and flexibility as it allows you to incorporate your education into your lifestyle so you can also focus on other responsibilities.
This online Homeland Security degree program is sequentially constructed to correspond to the “four pillars” of the National Preparedness Goal (2011) and the Missions of the Strategic Plan of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (2012). The pillars are: (1) Prevent, (2) Protect, (3) Respond, and (4) Recover. This coverage format will ensure that all essential areas are addressed so that students can learn fundamental coverage of the Homeland Security scope of responsibilities.
With the enactment of the Homeland Security Act in 2002, the United States Congress created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The department’s Core Mission includes preventing terrorism and enhancing security; managing our borders; administering immigration laws; securing cyberspace; and ensuring disaster resilience. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a part of DHS and an integral component of America’s emergency management enterprise, working to ensure the successful preparation for, protection against, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of all hazards
Students will study fundamental coverage of the Homeland Security scope of responsibilities. Courses may include scenarios and disaster simulation exercises to provide a sense of realism. The degree program begins with exploring the fundamentals and ethics of homeland security, moves to interagency planning, and ultimately ends with the Capstone Course in which the student submits original work that should reflect an integration of all coursework topics.
While attending our fully online bachelor’s degree program, you will:
- Expand your awareness of emerging trends and their potential impact on homeland security.
- Identify and generalize homeland security options for decision making and action plans.
- Understand the ethical and legal aspects to support decision making within the homeland security field.
- Prepare to pursue graduate studies.
- Work to develop the analytical and problem-solving skills you need as a homeland security professional.
- Join an engaged and connected online learning community.
- Have the opportunity to be mentored by dedicated and attentive faculty.
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 BSHLS degree program, graduates should be able to:
- Articulate the five mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal as applied to evolving emergency issues and strategies.
- Apply relevant risk analysis methodology to measure and explain risk.
- Determine the most effective analysis techniques to be used in achieving intelligence outcomes.
- Relate principles of critical infrastructure and key resource protection to incident-related preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and restoration.
- Analyze various courses of action for addressing domestic and global terrorism.
- Apply cultural humility to address homeland security responses to disasters and threat events.
- Administer regulations or policies that govern the lawful, ethical conduct and responsibilities of homeland security professionals.
This program is not designed to meet the educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification that is required for employment in an occupation. As such, Trident has made no determination regarding prerequisites for licensure or certification in any state or jurisdiction.
Your courses at Trident University can help provide you with a foundation in the homeland security field. As a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security (BSHLS) student, you will take a variety of classes, including: Fundamentals and Ethics of Homeland Security, Catastrophic Events and Responses, Cyber and Physical Security Vulnerabilities and Methodologies, and more. Homeland Security courses will include scenarios and disaster simulation exercises to provide a sense of realism.
The BSHLS requires 120 credits for degree completion. See the Trident University Catalog for all requirements and full descriptions of all course offerings. Students in the College of Health and Human Services are also required to meet Trident 's general education requirements as specified in our course catalog.
Choose from the following concentrations:
- Criminal Justice Administration - This concentration focuses on criminal justice systems, structures, and procedure. Courses include Criminology and Public Policy; Criminal Justice Systems; and Criminal Justice Administration.
- Cybersecurity - The cybersecurity concentration will begin by examining cybersecurity policy and laws, and then move on to offensive and defensive cyber actions and intelligence gathering. Real life scenarios involving threats to our critical infrastructures will be used.
- Emergency and Disaster Management - This concentration is designed for both military and civilian students with a desire to respond to not only national security matters, but also to hurricanes, earthquakes, toxic spills, and other natural/manmade disasters. This concentration will focus on critical infrastructure protection, disaster management, healthcare, and transportation concerns.
- Leadership - This concentration will focus on integrating knowledge from different perspectives, problem solving and decision making in creative and innovative ways as well as leadership theory and practice.
See the Trident University Catalog for full descriptions of all concentration course offerings.
The following standard transfer policies apply:
- Transfer students are required to provide official transcripts of all prior academic work without exception.
- Prior academic work will be articulated during the admission process.
- All courses, whether applied to a program or general elective in transfer will be posted to the student 's permanent record.
- Transfer credits will not be included in the calculation of overall GPA.
- At the undergraduate level, students may transfer in credit no matter the date of completion. In cases where the content of a course is deemed outdated or no longer relevant / equivalent credits for that course will transfer as general elective credits only.
- Students may formally appeal transfer decision to the Provost or designee. Appeals must be submitted in writing within five business days and must be accompanied by supporting documents or evidence.
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 for transfer credit policies..
Tuition cost for the bachelor program:
| tuition type | per credit cost | total tuition cost1 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $415 | $49,800 |
| Retired Military Veteran |
$3302,3 | $39,600 |
| Active Duty Reservist National Guard Department of Defense Federal Civilian Employees |
$2502,3 | $30,000 |
1Total Tuition Cost displayed is based on the total number of credits required for the program and may vary based on transfer credit applied. In addition, all students will be charged a one-time graduation fee of $150. Other fees may apply and all fees are subject to change without advance notice. See the University Catalog for more information.
2 Tuition per credit represented with applicable military grant applied.
3 Tuition rate available to immediate family members (does not apply to DOD Federal Civilian Employees.)
Seeking more information on the cost of attending Trident University International? Visit Trident's Financial Aid Resources page where you will find financial aid tools including Trident's Net Price Calculator and Shopping Sheet, a guide to assist in early financial planning for college. Students can find information regarding Cost of Attendance on the Trident Tuition and Fees page.
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
The online Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security (BSHLS) degree program is sequentially constructed to correspond to the "four pillars" of the National Preparedness Goal (2011) and the Missions of the Strategic Plan of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (2012). This coverage format is designed to ensure that all essential areas are addressed so that learners will study fundamental coverage of the homeland security scope of responsibilities.
Students in this program will expand their awareness of the five mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal, emerging trends, and their potential impact on homeland security. They will study best practices and ethical decision-making for preventing terrorism and enhancing security; managing our borders; administering immigration laws; securing cyberspace; and ensuring disaster resilience.
The BSHLS degree offers a No Concentration option or the following concentrations: Criminal Justice Administration, Cybersecurity, Emergency and Disaster Management, and Leadership.
The BSHLS requires 120 credits for degree completion.
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 training utilized in the field of education today. In addition, it was developed for working adults. Trident goes the extra mile to evaluate military training and traditional academic credit to maximize potential credit transfer. We also offer 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.
Watch What Our Previous Students Have to Say About Their TUI Experience
Brittne P.
Bachelor of Science in Leadership, 2022
