Homeland Security Overview
Are you interested in a career which allows you to blend your interest in law enforcement, intelligence gathering, emergency planning and the protection of the nation's critical infrastructure? Our Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security could be the right choice for you.
Homeland Security is a rapidly growing field in today's society. ECPI's program prepares graduates for employment opportunities in:
- Department of Homeland Security
- Law Enforcement Agencies (local and federal)
- Border Protection
- Intelligence Gathering
- Emergency Planning
- Transportation Protection/Security
This program focuses upon providing graduates the ability to:
- Understand the policies and procedures of the Department of Homeland Security
- Apply knowledge of the legal issues surrounding Homeland Security
- Follow security and surveillance principles
- Assume the role of intelligence gathering in protecting the nation's critical infrastructures
- Acquire knowledge of NIMS (National Incident Management System) and its application to Homeland Security
In 2.5 years, you can earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security.
What You Can Learn in Homeland Security
ECPI's Homeland Security program field focuses on real world application of national security and criminology principles. Homeland Security professionals are the frontline protectors of community and national safety. These individuals target perpetrators who threaten the nation's physical and cyber security by performing intelligence gathering and interception, investigations, apprehensions, prosecutions, and monitoring of those offenders.
The curriculum provides graduates with knowledge and skills in:
- Emergency Planning
- Law Enforcement, Security, Surveillance and Investigations
- Terrorism and Counter-terrorism
- Homeland Security Operations
- Legal Issues in Homeland Security
- Multi-cultural Communication and International Ideologies
Where You Can Go In Homeland Security
Homeland Security graduates are employed in a variety of areas such as:
- Border Patrol
- U.S. Customs
- Law Enforcement State Trooper/Police Officer
- Transportation Protection
- Private Security
- Emergency Preparedness
- Parole/Probation (Federal and State)
Degree Objectives
Program objectives include:
Students in the Homeland Security concentration of the B.S. degree program in Criminal justice learn about issues in domestic and international terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, investigative intelligence, counterintelligence, emergency preparedness, security of critical infrastructures, and legal issues impacting the response of agencies to terror or other homeland security threats.
About the Profession
Students in the B.S. degree program in Criminal Justice learn about issues in crime scene management, domestic and international terrorism, corrections, and ethics. They also learn about managing public relations during crisis events. Students study criminal procedures and learn about management of probation and parole. Computer investigation techniques are also taught to the Criminal Justice students.
Graduates of the Homeland Security concentration area may obtain an interesting careers as law enforcement officers, special agents, and intelligence analysts. Many work as airport screeners or in other transportation safety positions. These graduates also perform emergency management and planning functions at the federal, state, and local levels. They often work with the latest technologies in order to obtain and analyze evidence and to prevent crimes before they happen.
Requirements for Typical Employment Opportunities (i.e., background checks, drug screening, security clearances.)
Applicants for employment in criminal justice must be capable of completing an employment process which may include the following:
- Criminal History Check
- Drug Screening
- Psychological Screening/ Mental Health History
- Driving Record
- Polygraph Examination
- Security Clearance
- Physical Agility
- Military Disciplinary History
- Domestic Violence Investigations
- Credit History
- Social Networking Background Investigation
- Background Investigation
- Panel Interviews
- Behavioral Assessment
- Possession of a Valid Driver's License
- Compliance with policies regarding body art/ tattoos and piercings
Entry Level Employment Opportunities By Job Title and/or Industry
Graduates of the B.S. degree program in Criminal Justice (with the Homeland Security concentration) obtain jobs in law enforcement fields that focus on the security of United States citizens and control of its borders. They may find employment in federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, probation offices, parole offices, emergency management agencies, or public health agencies. Employment opportunities also exist for these graduates in private security firms and in transportation security.
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements for the Criminal Justice positions may vary from position to position; however the general requirements are as follows:
- Vision
- Hearing
- Physical Agility
- Stamina
- Heavy Lifting
- Ability to concentrate
Certifications Recommended for Entry Level Career.
The CERT Disaster Training Certification is required of all Homeland Security students. Other certifications are not required for completion of this program but are encouraged. ECPI University provides vouchers allowing students to take certification exams at a greatly reduced cost. Available certifications for this program, in addition to the required CERT exam, include CPR, FEMA (various certifications available), AED, Red Cross Mass Casualty, CPI (Crisis Prevention and Intervention), and DNA.
Program Specific Academic Policies
Students in Criminal Justice Concentration are encouraged to complete the CERT Disaster Training Certification prior to graduation.
Externships are opportunities for students to gain mentored, practical experience in a "real-world" job setting. Students in the School of Criminal Justice are required to complete an externship as part of their programs of study. Each student will be assisted by Career Services in finding a suitable externship opportunity.
Program Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Admissions test with passing score
Core Curriculum
| DEGREE | Associate of Science |
|---|---|
| PROGRAM | Criminal Justice |
| CONCENTRATION | Homeland Security |
| SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS | 121 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG110 | College Composition | 3 | |
| ENG120 | Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| COM110 | Principles of Speech | 3 | |
| MTH131 | College Algebra | 3 | |
| MTH140 | Statistics | 3 | |
| PHY120 | Physics OR BIO 122 Environmental Biology | 3 | |
| PHY120L | Physics Lab OR BIO 122L Environmental Biology Lab | 1 | |
| PSY105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| PSY220 | Positive Psychology | 3 | |
| CAP480 | Arts & Science Capstone | 3 | |
| HUM205 | Culture & Diversity | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOR112 | College Orientation | 3 | |
| COR090 | Career Orientation | 0 | |
| IST106/ CIS106 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 | |
| IST120 | Computer Applications | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJ100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| CJ105 | Criminal Law | 3 | |
| CJ110 | Law Enforcement Operations | 3 | |
| CJ125 | Criminal Procedure | 3 | |
| CJ130 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| CJ135 | Corrections | 3 | |
| CJ136 | Research Methodology I | 3 | |
| CJ200 | Investigations | 3 | |
| CJ225 | Crime Scene Management | 3 | DNA |
| CJ227 | Computer Investigation | 3 | |
| CJ230 | Introduction to Terrorism | 3 | |
| CJ235 | Criminology | 3 | |
| CJ350 | Criminal Justice Documentation | 3 | |
| CJ415 | Domestic & International Terrorism | 3 | |
| CJ420 | Security Management Technology | 3 | |
| CJ460 | Public Relations | 3 | |
| CJ480 | Probation & Parole | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJ210 | Global Comparative Justice | 3 | |
| CJ240 | Intelligence | 3 | |
| CJ245 | Multi-Cultural Communication for Law Enforcement | 3 | |
| CJ425 | Weapons of Mass Destruction | 3 | |
| CJ435 | Emergency Planning | 3 | FEMA IS100, IS200, IS700 & IS800 |
| CJ485 | Homeland Security | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
Note: elective courses may include courses from other concentration areas in addition to courses in this list.
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS122 | Principles of Business and Management | 3 | |
| CJ115 | Drugs and Crime | 3 | |
| CJ136L | Research Methodology I | 1 | |
| CJ215 | Community Policing | 3 | |
| CJ220 | Criminal Justice Special Topics | 3 | |
| CJ290 | Criminal Justice Externship | 3 | |
| CJ300 | Advanced Computer Investigation | 3 | |
| CJ345 | Managing Hazardous Materials | 3 | |
| CJ361 | Law Enforcement Management | 3 | |
| CJ370 | Rules of Evidence | 3 | |
| CJ380 | Private Security I | 3 | |
| CJ390 | Crime Mapping | 3 | |
| CJ390L | Crime Mapping Lab | 1 | |
| CJ430 | Conflict Management | 3 | |
| CJ470 | Private Security II | 3 | |
| CJ480 | Probation and Parole | 3 | |
| CJ485 | Homeland Security | 3 | |
| CJ490 | Senior Criminal Justice Externship | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
*The certifications listed in the "Potential Certifications" column are the actual certification exams that students may be prepared to take following achievement of student learning outcomes from a course or a set of courses. Some certifications may require additional outside preparation prior to taking the exams; and receipt of one or more certifications is not guaranteed. Students are strongly encouraged to take all appropriate certification examinations for their program of study. To facilitate student access to the certifications, ECPI offers its students access to the certification exams at a significant discount. Some programs may require the student to obtain one or more certifications as part of the curriculum.
Future Possible Careers for This Program
| 43.0104 | Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | |
|---|---|---|
| 325-1111.00 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | |
| 33-1011.00 | First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Correctional Officers | |
| 33-1012.00 | First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Police and Detectives | |
Success
Q
How long will it take to complete this program?
A
The program is designed to take 18 months to complete. 17% of graduates from this program finish in this time.
The median time for graduates to complete this program was 23 months.
Cost
Q
How much will tuition and fees be?
A
The cost of tuition and fees is: $56,550
Q
What about the cost of books and supplies?
A
The cost of books and supplies is: $2000. Foundation course requirements can result in additional costs and increase the time to graduation.
Financing
Q
What are my financing options to pay for the program?
A
In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible, graduates used loans to finance their education. The median debt for program graduates is:
| Loan Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal (Title 4) Loans | $28,900 |
| Private Educational Loans | $0.00 |
| Institution Financing Plan | $0.00 |
