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Homeland Security and Emergency Management

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College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Serve, Protect, Defend

Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Online

For civic-minded people who are capable of being rational in scenarios when others might panic—and who are also skilled at demonstrating compassion for victims of calamities—a degree in homeland security and emergency management could be an excellent fit.

AUM’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers an online Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management degree. This academic credential qualifies someone for positions at government agencies where a central mission is to counteract threats to public well-being. These types of civil servant roles exist at the local, state and federal levels.

There is a huge scope of career options for someone with this master’s degree, and earning potential can vary tremendously, depending on where they work, what position they hold and their number of years on the job.

The Department of Homeland Security, with more than 240,000 employees, offers jobs related to aviation, border security, emergency response, cybersecurity and other specialties. Average salaries range from an immigration officer making $61,355 to an intelligence analyst making $73,424, to a special agent averaging $114,792 per year.

Other employers for homeland security degree holders include the FBI, Secret Service, Department of Transportation, the military, and state/local law enforcement agencies. County and state governments employ emergency management directors to manage response to extreme weather, natural disasters, and other dangers. Private companies also hire security specialists to protect their employees, customers, and computer networks. See below for potential job titles and additional sample salaries.

After successfully completing 18 credit hours in the core curriculum, you’ll be able to choose four additional courses specific to your interests and career path, including Human Trafficking, Psychology of Terrorism and Fear, Disasters and the Media, Protests, Riots, and Panic, Cyber Crime and Cyber Victimization, and others.

  • What kind of academic background do I need? An undergraduate degree in criminal justice or a related field isn’t required. Our master’s degree candidates have undergraduate degrees in business, liberal arts, and other fields.
  • Can I afford this program? Tuition at AUM is lower than many other major universities, and scholarships and graduate assistantship opportunities are available.
  • How will this program impact my career? Depending on your interests and work experience, it could open up a whole new set of options. If you are in law enforcement or a related field now, it could lead to pay increases and/or management opportunities.
  • Does the Department of Homeland Security require a master’s degree? No. A bachelor’s degree is the most common minimum requirement, but those with a master’s degree in a field such as Homeland Security and Emergency Management often have the advantage when it comes to advancement and pay.
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AUM is honored to have received many national and regional awards over the years. U.S. News & World Report named AUM one of its Top Public Schools for 2021, and Yahoo! Finance honored us as one of the Most Affordable Universities for 2021.

Affordable

We think a high-quality, graduate education should be affordable. Tuition rates for many of our programs are lower than at comparable universities. In addition, scholarship or other kinds of tuition assistance may be available.

Close-Knit

AUM offers a close-knit community where students and faculty get to know each other by name and develop valuable professional networks. We are able to keep class sizes small to facilitate group projects and personalized learning.

Career-Focused

We understand that one of the main reasons you are here is to expand your career options. That’s why our programs are practical and often apply to your current work situation. You’ll also have the opportunity to get valuable career assistance.

We Have the Answers

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Many graduates of this Homeland Security and Emergency Management degree work for the federal government. Check out our Career Discovery Board on this page to begin exploring your options. Contact us so we can get you the answers you need.

In this online program, you complete 18 credit hours (six courses) in the core curriculum, then you’ll choose fouradditional courses specific to your interests and career path.

Three qualities stand out: a sense of duty, leadership skills, and the ability to solve problems in tense situations.

As a Homeland Security employee, you could help secure our borders, airports, seaports and waterways; research and develop the latest security technologies; respond to natural disasters or terrorists acts; analyze intelligence reports.

Degree Options

Rewarding Occupations and Job Growth

With this master’s degree, you have many career possibilities. Here is a sampling of the future job growth and salaries according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (or another source, if noted). 

Career/Job TitleEntry-Level Education RequirementsJob Growth 2020 - 2030Annual Median Salary
FBI special agentsBachelor’s degreeNot available$78,000 to $153,000
Supervisory FBI special agentsBachelor’s degreeNot available$170,000
Homeland Security Special AgentBachelor’s degreeNot available$146,612
FBI Intelligence AnalystBachelor’s degreeNot available$79,225
Immigration officerBachelor’s degreeNot available$83,876
Information security analystBachelor’s degreeNot available$103,590
County emergency managerBachelor’s degree6% (As fast as average)$76,730

Note: Salaries vary depending on several factors including your level of experience, education, training, demographics, and industry. Available data represents job titles across industries and may not be specific to your job category.

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Quick Facts

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

At AUM’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, you will have powerful learning experiences, working side by side with professors who have real-world experience.

Our academic departments include Communication and Theatre, Criminal Justice, Economics, English and Philosophy, Fine Arts,  History and World Cultures, Political Science and Public Administration, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, and Army ROTC. To help you pay for college, you might qualify for one of our scholarships.

Official Degree Name

Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Modality

The Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management degree is fully online.

Online
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