Major in Homeland Security

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in homeland security.

The major in homeland security develops the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for leadership in homeland security, with a focus on the domestic and international security issues of homeland security, including international and domestic terrorism, infrastructure protection, strategic planning for security, international relations, intelligence operations and evaluation, and program management. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a global outlook, interpersonal skills, and awareness of current issues in homeland security. Graduates of the program will have the knowledge and skills to serve as leaders in government and industry security.

Articulation Agreement

An articulation agreement between UMUC's Undergraduate School and Graduate School allows eligible students who complete their undergraduate degree at UMUC with a major in homeland security to reduce their total coursework for the graduate degree by 6 credits (two courses) and complete both degrees with a total of 150 credits of coursework. More information is available in the Articulation Agreement.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a major in homeland security should be able to

• Lead, manage, motivate, and develop others to establish and achieve strategic and operational homeland security goals and interface with internal and external audiences.
• Manage technology and information for the protection, response, and recovery of critical infrastructure/information in a hostile or emergency environment.
• Navigate public or private organizations' financial, personnel, legal, and political information to identify, evaluate, and address the organizational needs, requirements, and resources.
• Thoroughly research, critically analyze, and synthesize complex intelligence information using various methods to formulate risk assessments and responses to emerging threats.
• Communicate, negotiate, and educate strategically and tactically across cultural boundaries with diverse audiences within homeland security.
• Write concise and succinct policy, planning, and procedure documents for a variety of audiences to support homeland security operations.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in homeland security requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Homeland Security Major

Coursework for a major in homeland security includes the following:

• Required core courses (15 credits): HMLS 302, 304, 406, 408, and 416
• Supplemental major course in technology (3 credits): Chosen from HMLS 312, BIOL 422, CSIA 303, ENMT 321, and FSCN 303 
• Supplemental major course in operations (3 credits): Chosen from HMLS 310, BMGT 466; EMGT 302, 308, 310, and 404; and IFSM 432
• Supplemental major course in intelligence (3 credits): Chosen from HMLS 414, CCJS 390, 412, and 413; CSIA 459; and GVPT 408 and 409
• Supplemental major course in applied concepts (3 credits): Chosen from HMLS 486A, ECON 440; EMGT 312; GVPT 200, 306, and 405; and SOCY 473
• Required capstone course (3 credits): HMLS 495
• Required related course (3 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: IFSM 300

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in homeland security. Coursework for the major is indicated by . Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Homeland Security Degree Courses

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

• EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3)
  (strongly recommended as first course)
• LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)
• WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)
  or WRTG 101S Introduction to Writing (3)
  
• MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3)
  or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

• ECON 103 Economics in the Information Age (3)
  or other behavioral and social sciences course
• BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology (4)
  or other biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory course(s)
• WRTG 293 Introduction to Professional Writing (3)
  or other writing course
• IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)
  prerequisite to requirements for major
• HUMN 100 Introduction to Humanities (3)
  or other arts and humanities course

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

• BEHS 103 Technology in Contemporary Society (3)
  or other behavioral and social sciences course (discipline must differ from first)
• NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
  or other biological and physical sciences lecture course
• HIST 125 Technological Transformations (3)
  or other arts and humanities/historical perspective course (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
• HMLS 302 Introduction to Homeland Security (3)
• COMM 202 Media and Society (3)
  or other communication, writing, or speech course
• IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3)
  (related requirement for the major; also fulfills the computing requirement)
• HMLS 304 Strategic Planning in Homeland Security (3)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

• WRTG 394 Advanced Business Writing (3)
  or other upper-level advanced writing course
• HMLS 406 Legal and Political Issues of Homeland Security (3)
• HMLS 408 Infrastructure in Homeland Security (3)
• HMLS 416 Homeland Security and International Relations (3)
• HMLS 310 Homeland Security Response to Critical Incidents (3)
  or other supplemental major course in operations
• HMLS 312 Technology in Homeland Security (3)
  or other supplemental major course in technology
• HMLS 414 Homeland Security and Intelligence (3)
  or other supplemental major course in intelligence
• HMLS 486A Workplace Learning in Homeland Security (3)
  or other supplemental major course in applied concepts

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits)

• HMLS 495 Public Safety Policies and Leadership (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (46)
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses)

Recommended Electives

• CMIS 111 Social Networking and Cybersecurity Best Practices
• EMGT 310 Continuity of Operations Planning and Implementation
  (may meet requirements for certain graduate degree programs at UMUC)
• STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics
• WRTG 490 Writing for Managers

Total credits for BS in homeland security: 120

Homeland Security Degree Planning Worksheet