With prevention, protection, & response.
Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security (BSHLS)
Earn a Bachelor in Homeland Security (BSHLS) From a 100% Online University
Are you passionate about pursuing an education in which you can help prevent terrorism and enhance American security? If so, we encourage you to contact Trident admissions at 800-579-3197 to learn more about our 100% online Homeland Security degree program.
This affordable online college degree program is designed to help you develop a foundation in the field of homeland security. You can earn an online Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security (BSHLS) degree that can enable you to advance your education while making an impact on the well-being of our nation.
While attending our fully online bachelor 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.
Online Homeland Security Degree Program Overview
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.
See the Trident University Catalog for full descriptions of all of our affordable program course offerings.
Education really became a factor for me when I got married to my wife and found out later we were pregnant. That’s when I decided that education is something very important and something that I need to be able to show my son the right way, the right path.
Alfonso P., BSHLS Class of 2019
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the BSHLS degree program, graduates should be able to:
- Articulate the five mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal as appliedto 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.
Subject to additional college-or program-specific admissions requirements, the following standard admissions requirements apply:
- A diploma from an accredited or state approved high school or its equivalent
- Proof of English proficiency (international students only; see section on English Proficiency in the Trident University Catalog)
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 passing a Trident Challenge Exam*? Undergraduate students can demonstrate their knowledge and, if successfully passed, earn credit toward their degree. Talk to your Student Success Advisor about this and other Prior Learning Assessment opportunities!
*The ability to reduce time in school and/or reduce tuition toward the full cost of a degree program depends on the number of Trident Challenge exams successfully passed. Trident Challenge exam credits are non-transferable. Not all programs are eligible for a reduction in time and money. Courses eligible are subject to change. Students should not rely on potential challenge exam savings or eligibility when making an enrollment decision.
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.
Tuition cost for the bachelor program:
| tuition type | per credit | per course | per year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $415 | $1,660 | $12,450 |
| Retired Military / Veteran / And Their Immediate Family Members** | $330 | $1,320 | $9,900 |
| Military & Immediate Family Members / Department of Defense Federal Civilian Employees** | $250 | $1,000 | $7,500 |
| Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve U.S Military Service Members** | $250 | $1,000 | $7,500 |
*Assumes no transfer credits and that student enrolls in an average of 30 credits per year for 4 years. **Tuition per credit represented with applicable military grant applied.
University Fees:
- Books and Supplies: $0
- Course Materials: $0
- Diploma Copy: $30 (optional)
- Food, Housing, and Transportation: N/A
- Graduation Fee: $150
- Official Transcript: $10
- Other Expedited Shipping Fees: varies based on region
- Payment Plan Set-up: $35-$55 (non-refundable)
- Student ID Card: $10 (optional)
- Technology Fee: $0
- Other fees may apply and are subject to change without advance notice.
Seeking more information on the cost of attending Trident University? 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.
Want to save time & money on your degree? Receive credit for eligible past experience and military service with Trident Fastrac*. Click here to learn more.
*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.
