Best Online Master's in Homeland Security for 2019
Earning your online master's in homeland security prepares you to be a leader when natural and manmade disasters strike. Whether the country faces the threat of terrorism or the devastation of a hurricane, you can confidently help prepare for, mitigate, and respond to these kinds of dilemmas thanks to your education.
Increasing efforts to prepare for disasters and minimize their consequences mean experts like you with a master's in homeland security online degree are sure to be in demand. After all, the local, state, and national government need highly skilled professionals who know what to do in emergency situations. This is why the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an 8% growth in emergency management occupations by 2026.
What are the Best Online Master's in Homeland Security Programs?
Top 10 Masters in Homeland Security Programs
Admissions Rate
59%
Graduation Rate
44%
Online Enrollment
39%
Retention Rate
80%
Default Rate
4%
Through a foundation of theoretical, research, and applied skill development, Nova Southeastern University boasts one of the nation's top online master's degrees in homeland security. The program consists of 36 credits. Of these, 21 credits are core classes in national security, intelligence collection, and U.S. foreign policy. For the remaining 15 credits, students can choose from a list of electives, including bioterrorism, cybersecurity, and economic statecraft. Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers in military service, law enforcement, and academia. Prospective students must have earned a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 in their final two years (or alternatively, a master's degree with a GPA of 3.0).
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How to Choose an Online Master's in Homeland Security Program
Selecting which program is best for your online master's in homeland security is a decision that requires due diligence. You must be certain the program you choose not only meets your academic requirements, but also allows you to achieve your career goals once you graduate.
Consider which kind of course format you prefer — one that is fully online or one that combines online and on-campus studies — and look for an online master's degree in homeland security program that offers it. If you require flexibility around when you attend class, then select a program with asynchronous course delivery. It's also important to consider your budget for tuition and related expenses. You should determine what you can afford and how you will pay for it. If you require financial assistance, explore what kinds of financial aid and scholarships the school you select may provide.
Careers for Graduates of Master's in Homeland Security Programs
A career in homeland security means you guard the country's safety, whether on land, in the air, or at sea. Many of the jobs available are within government, but you can also work for private companies and nonprofits. The homeland security profession is never boring; it requires you to continuously increase your understanding of the risks that exist and the ways in which to mitigate them. Those who possess this kind of expertise are well compensated for it.
A criminal investigator examines violations of the law by gathering and analyzing evidence as well as interviewing witnesses. This professional aims to identify culprits of crimes, arresting suspects and even testifying in court as necessary. Much of what a criminal investigator does reflects an ability to develop and document hypotheses to solve crimes.
Median Salary: $57,840
Job Outlook and Salary for Graduates of Homeland Security Master's Degrees
According to the BLS, the emergency management occupation will grow 8% by 2026. The unpredictability of disasters requires experts who carefully prepare for them to reduce the losses people sustain when they strike. This means homeland security degree graduates will always be in demand. What you earn depends a great deal on the specific career you pursue, the organization you work for, and where you are located in the country. While these variables greatly influence your salary, earning your online master's in homeland security means you can enjoy a professionally and financially rewarding career.
| Employment, 2014 | Projected Employment, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 10,100 | 10,908 |
Salary Growth by Experience for Graduates of Homeland Security Master's Programs
Expect your salary to increase over time after you complete your master's in homeland security online program. Your years of experience demonstrate the depth and breadth of your knowledge in the career you choose, and your compensation will reflect what you have learned both in the classroom and on the job. Without question, graduates of online homeland security degree programs possess significant earnings potential. In fact, even entry-level professionals in homeland security earn upwards of $50,000 a year.
To determine the best online master's in homeland security programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in homeland security programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.