Master of Science in Homeland Security
Online Degree ProgramThe online Master of Science in Homeland Security (MSHLS) degree program is designed for both military and civilian students with experience responding to domestic crises, terrorist-based events, and natural disasters. The MSHLS degree program courses closely align with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission objectives and are appropriately sequenced to correspond to before-, during-, and after-a-disaster episodes on American soil. You can graduate with the skills needed in the field of homeland security to make the world a safer place.
Study the skills needed to pursue homeland security professions in the federal, state, and municipal levels through the online Master of Science in Homeland Security (MSHLS) degree program at Trident.
In our 100% online program, you will:- Work to gain advanced knowledge and skills needed to respond to emergencies and disasters.
- Study how to mitigate the potentially catastrophic consequences of natural disasters or terrorist acts.
- Understand and apply legal and ethical practices and decision-making in the field of homeland security.
- Collaborate with many other students and faculty members online as you complete research and coursework.
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 their respective program option, graduates should be able to:
- Demonstrate and apply advanced knowledge of theories and practices relevant to homeland security.
- Examine and apply emergency plans to homeland security scenarios meeting state and federal guidelines and communicate them to the impacted public.
- Apply quantitative skills and methods to analyze homeland security data/information.
- Identify and appraise the theoretical foundations and literature in the field of homeland security.
- Evaluate and assess multiple or competing perspectives and options and recommend appropriate administrative plans or courses of action relative to homeland security.
- Apply assessment and valuation to diverse interagency procedure and plan options in response to homeland natural disasters or terrorist acts.
- Assess diverse legal and ethical practices and apply to decision making in the field of homeland security.
Courses at Trident University International are industry-relevant. As an MS in Homeland Security student, you can take a variety of classes, including Homeland Crisis Management, Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability and Protection, , and Intelligence Analysis and Homeland Security. Crisis simulations and scenarios will be used to help reinforce students’ skills in order to succeed in pursuing Homeland Security professions in the federal, state, and local government, and industry areas.
You must complete 40 semester credits of core courses and electives. See the Trident University Catalog for full descriptions of all program course offerings.
The Master of Science in Homeland Security (MSHLS) degree program has the following concentrations:
- Cybersecurity - This concentration begins by examining cybersecurity policy and laws, and then moves on to offensive and defensive cyber actions and intelligence gathering. Real-life scenarios involving threats to our critical infrastructures will be practiced.
- Emergency and Disaster Management - Logistics - This concentration provides an integral part of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with its focus on Natural and Manmade disasters. Operating under disastrous conditions in which lives are in danger calls for clear and concise actions on the part of homeland security professionals. Some knowledge in emergency logistics is essential. Many times, staging of material, procurement and dispensing of medical supplies, and coordination of transportation do not go according to plan and will require dynamic planning and adjustments to plans in real-time.
- Leadership – This concentration focuses on the most current leadership theory, best practices, and organizational case studies to promote student learning and to enable new leaders to best meet the diverse and multi-faceted challenges they will face in organizational leadership roles.
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 program elective in transfer will be posted to the student’s permanent record.
- Transfer credits will not be included in the calculation of overall GPA.
- Graduate coursework submitted for transfer must have been completed within the prior seven years unless the content is deemed outdated or no longer equivalent or relevant by Trident.
- Trident may accept for transfer to the master's degree up to 30% of graduate level credits from other accredited colleges or universities. All transferred course credits must have a GPA of 3.0 or better.
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.Tuition cost for the master's program:
| tuition type | per credit cost | total tuition cost1 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $567 | $22,680 |
| Retired Military Veteran |
$425.252,3 | $17,010 |
| Military Immediate Family Members Department of Defense Federal Civilian Employees |
$325 | $13,000 |
| Active Duty Reservist National Guard |
$2502,3 | $10,000 |
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 Master of Science in Homeland Security (MSHLS) degree program is designed for both military and civilian students with experience responding to domestic crises, terrorist-based events, and natural disasters. The MSHLS degree program courses closely align with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission objectives and are appropriately sequenced to before-, during-, and after-a-disaster episodes on American soil.
Students in this program will gain advanced knowledge and skills needed to respond to emergencies and disasters, learn to mitigate the potentially catastrophic consequences of natural disasters or terrorist acts, and understand and apply legal and ethical practices and decision-making in the field of homeland security.
The MSHLS degree offers a No Concentration option or the following concentrations: Cybersecurity, Emergency and Disaster Management-Logistic, and Leadership.
The MSHLS requires 36 credits for No Concentration or 40 credits for a concentration.
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.
