Homeland Security, Master of Science

Admission

Please refer to “The Graduate Admissions Process” section for general graduate admission information and requirements.

  1. Prior to registering for your first course:
    1. Submit a graduate application for admission accompanied by a non-refundable $35 application fee.
    2. Register for MHS 7033 as the first course in the MHS program.
  2. Prior to completing your first course:
    1. Provide an official transcript from a regionally accredited college, university, or other degree-granting institution, verifying completion of a bachelor’s degree. Send official transcript(s) directly to Wilmington University from the identified college or university.
    2. Program Purpose

      The Master of Science in Homeland Security is a dynamic program designed to prepare present and future leaders in the field of homeland security to address the problems and issues confronting their agencies and organizations. The Homeland Security program offers concentrations in Safety and Security, Military Leadership, Emergency Management and Organizational Continuity, and Applied Homeland Security Intelligence, addressing the need for graduate-level exposure to current topics in homeland security for leaders and those preparing to be leaders in the field. The program provides the theoretical, methodological, and practical knowledge needed to pursue a degree beyond the master’s level. The degree has been developed in close consultation with the professional practitioners in the field and weaves the themes of scholarship, professional experience, ethics, and technology into the courses to meet the goals and objectives of the program. The Homeland Security degree is offered entirely online, providing working professionals, information assurance specialists, law enforcement and military personnel the flexibility to complete their degrees without compromising their professional and personal schedules.

      Program Design

      The core of the program will provide solid theoretical, methodological, and practical knowledge needed to pursue a degree beyond the master’s level. This base of knowledge will prepare students to understand the issues involved and adapt to the ever-changing landscapes in homeland security. Courses have been carefully selected and designed in consultation with professional practitioners to ensure that the most current issues and topics are included in the curriculum. The faculty is carefully recruited from the field to ensure that the class presentations are as current as the events in the professional arena. The Capstone project is earned by completing a field practicum, a small project, or research study and by submitting a portfolio or final paper.

      Additionally, the program has a built-in flexibility that respects the professional and personal commitments and responsibilities that today’s learners have while pursuing their goal of advanced academic studies. The Master of Science in Homeland Security program is designed and delivered entirely online. This offers the students the convenience of completing their degrees while working toward career advancement.

      Program Competencies

      1. Explain the ethical, social, cultural, and legal issues surrounding homeland security.
      2. Locate, analyze, and evaluate information to identify the trends and threats to homeland security.
      3. Apply relevant knowledge and utilize technology to manage homeland security operations and resources to promote safe environments in local, state, and federal government, and in private industry.
      4. Create professional relationships in the field and in the community that promote sensitivity to cultural differences.
      5. Employ effective oral and written communication skills.

      Program Requirements

      The Master of Science in Homeland Security requires 33 credit hours. All students must satisfactorily complete six core courses. A total of four courses are chosen from an area of specialized concentration. The final requirement is completing a Capstone project (3 credits)

      Course Requirements

      The Master of Science in Homeland Security is intended to provide students with the academic capital needed for successful careers in the field. The degree also provides a sound foundation for entry into other professional endeavors and/or the opportunity to meet an intellectual interest in this very challenging field of study.

      Core Courses

      All students must satisfactorily complete the following core courses:

      MHS 7000/MAJ 7000Contemporary Issues in Homeland Security

      3

      MHS 7001Sociology of Terrorism

      3

      MHS 7002/MAJ 7002Legal Aspects and Policy of Homeland Security

      3

      MHS 7003/MAJ 7003Risk Assessment and Management

      3

      MHS 7004/MAJ 6606Crisis Leadership

      3

      MHS 7033/MAJ 6633Research Methods in Criminal Justice

      3

      Concentration in Applied Homeland Security Intelligence

      There is a need for homeland security and criminal justice practitioners to develop an understanding of intelligence and its application in both foreign and domestic settings. The concentration in Applied Homeland Security Intelligence will prepare students for success in a variety of occupational environments, including federal, state, and local governments and private sector organizations.

      Core Courses

      Six courses as listed above.

      Area Specialization Courses

      MHS 7007Strategic Planning in Homeland Security

      3

      MHS 7012History, Policy, and Legal Aspects of the US Intelligence Enterprise

      3

      MHS 7013Applying the Intelligence Process

      3

      MHS 7014Intelligence to Protect the Homeland

      3

      MHS 7020Capstone

      3

      Concentration in Emergency Management and Organizational Continuity

      Emergency management and organizational continuity are integral components of homeland security in the United States. This concentration in Emergency Management and Organizational Continuity is intended to provide graduate homeland security students the opportunity to conduct in-depth research and analysis into emergency management and organizational continuity. This concentration is also intended to increase students’ confidence relative to emergency management policy and processes, and organizational continuity practices, while preparing them for an emergency management professional certification.   

      Core Courses

      Six courses as listed above.

      Area Specialization Courses

      MHS 7007Strategic Planning in Homeland Security

      3

      OR

      MHS 7008Fundamentals of Bio-Terrorism

      3

      MHS 7009Emergency Management Processes, Policy, and Administration

      3

      MHS 7010The Emergency Management Cycle

      3

      MHS 7011Organizational Continuity

      3

      MHS 7021Capstone

      3

      Concentration in Military Leadership

      To be eligible for this concentration, students must have successfully completed the Delaware Leadership Academy sponsored by the Delaware National Guard.

      Core Courses

      Five core courses as listed above. Students will not be required to take MHS 7004.

      Area Specialization Courses

      DNG 6200Strategic Leadership and Decision Making

      3

      DNG 6300Military Leadership Skills

      3

      DNG 6400The Role of the Guard

      3

      DNG 6500Joint Force Operations

      3

      DNG 6600Crisis Leadership

      3

      MHS 7020Capstone

      3

      Concentration in Safety and Security

      Core Courses

      Six courses as listed above

      Area Specialization Courses

      MHS 7005Border and Transportation Security

      3

      MHS 7006Topics in Intelligence

      3

      MHS 7007Strategic Planning in Homeland Security

      3

      MHS 7008Fundamentals of Bio-Terrorism

      3

      MHS 7020Capstone

      3

Qualifications for Degree

To qualify for the Master of Science in Homeland Security degree, a student must satisfy the fully admitted requirements and complete a minimum of 33 credit hours, maintaining a grade point average of 3.0. The program must be completed within five years. Students may transfer up to six credits from accredited graduate programs completed before matriculation at Wilmington University. This may include graduate studies completed as part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, and similar accredited programs based upon transcript review and the approval of the Program Chair.