Why Does Homeland Security Exist and How Can I Become a Part of it?
The Department of Homeland Security was created in March of 2003. As a stand-alone, Cabinet-level department, it represents the unification of 22 different federal agencies and departments into one department in an attempt to strengthen national security and to face an ever-changing range of threats.
Among the various agencies encompassed by Homeland Security are these:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service
- Transportation and Security Administration
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
There are others, but the ones listed are the most prominent in the news these days.
Agents for Homeland Security work in a variety of jobs, from protecting the border and coastlines, to fighting human trafficking, to raising public awareness about cyber vulnerabilities and preparing for the problems that are being and will be caused by climate change.
A Career in Homeland Security
Those who seek work in a Homeland Security agency represent a broad spectrum of interests and abilities, from unskilled jobs to those requiring advanced degrees from an institution of higher learning.
One of the most prominent areas of employment to have emerged in recent years is that of border security, which includes immigration, trade compliance, smuggling, anti-terrorism, and agriculture protection at U.S. ports of entry. There is an ongoing need for Border Patrol agents, who are on the frontlines of border security, guarding the country's borders from illegal activity as well as helping those in need.
Air and Marine Operations is responsible for interdicting people and cargo that approach U.S. borders unlawfully. This agency investigates criminal networks in the air and marine environments. Careers typically are in air interdiction, or as a navigation enforcement agent or marine interdiction agent.
Federal Protective Service, or FPS, provides law enforcement and security at U.S. government facilities, ensuring that federal workers have a secure environment to fulfill their job responsibilities.
The Transportation Security Administration is responsible for providing security at America's seaports, highways, airports, and public transit systems. Jobs might include anything from an explosives detection canine handler to a security-training instructor or transportation security inspector.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement offers a wide range of careers for people in law enforcement, mission support, and intelligence whose mission is to secure the safety of the country. Agents focus on legal and safe immigration enforcement, preventing terrorism, and fighting transnational criminal elements.
Preparing for a Career in Homeland Security
A good many of the jobs that are available in Homeland Security pertain to law enforcement. Depending on the degree of responsibility of the job, you might need at least an associate degree to get your foot in the door, but a bachelor's degree could offer you a better chance for advancement in the field. Generally speaking, a degree in law enforcement or criminal justice might offer the best chance for entering this field.
But a degree from an institution of higher learning will do a lot more than just open doors, important as that is. Successful completion of a quality program will prepare you in these ways:
- Understanding the policies and procedures of Homeland Security
- Training you for your future role in intelligence gathering, investigations, surveillance and other security procedures
- Understanding legal issues regarding this complex and diverse department
Ideally, the program should prepare you in these additional areas:
- Terrorism and counter-terrorism
- Homeland Security operations
- Multi-cultural communication and international ideologies
- Emergency planning
Although the curriculum for your program will likely give you a broad perspective on criminal justice and law enforcement, it should also prepare you for entering work in some or all of these fields:
- U.S. Customs
- Border Patrol
- Local and federal law enforcement agencies
- Department of Homeland Security
- FEMA
- Intelligence gathering
- Private security
- Transportation Protection Security
Individual courses will vary, depending on the program you choose, but to get a well-rounded education in criminal justice/law enforcement, you should study these topics:
- Criminal law
- Law enforcement operations
- Criminal justice ethics
- Research methods
- Corrections
- Criminal procedure
- Investigations
- Computer investigation
- Crime scene management
- Criminology
- Terrorism
- Organized crime
- Private security
- Criminal justice documentation
- Communications
In addition, you will likely need some classes that prepare you in emergency planning, domestic terrorism, Homeland Security operations, and multi-cultural communications. Electives such as these may also be helpful: rules of evidence, criminal statutory analysis, law enforcement management, crime mapping, domestic terrorism, probation and parole, media relations for law enforcement, digital forensic analysis, and electronic security devices.
Ready to Commit?
Are you interested in a career in homeland security? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in Homeland Security, ECPI University offers this program at an accelerated pace. For more information, connect with a helpful admissions counselor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
DISCLAIMER – ECPI University makes no claim, warranty, or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content.
Gainful Employment Information – Homeland Security - Bachelor’s
For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.