Homeland Security

Offered by: Homeland/Corporate Security Studies

Slippery Rock University's Homeland Security major provides a comprehensive study of the skills needed to prepare, prevent, respond to, and mitigate the economic and social consequences of man-made and natural disasters. In the program, students learn how to assess risks to the homeland, gather intelligence to prevent man-made disasters, protect critical infrastructure, prevent and respond to terrorist attacks, as well as how to respond to and recover from both man-made and natural threats. You will gain knowledge of the many tools used to fight terrorism, protect infrastructures and key assets, secure intelligence, and respond to real-world security issues affecting the United States.

Students in the Homeland Security major may engage in an internship. Students may also join student-run organizations such as the Security Studies Club and the Project to End Human Trafficking. Students who excel in their studies and meet certain criteria may also be inducted into the Order of the Sword and Shield National Honor Society.

The department also offers a series of speakers on-campus where students can hear the latest issues in security and network with professionals in the security industry. Additionally, the department hosts a series of trips and events for students.

Why major in Homeland Security?

Since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania the creation of the Department of Homeland Security embraces an all-hazards approach to dealing with man-made and natural disasters. There are many opportunities in the United States for homeland security professionals to contribute to securing the United States.

The homeland security program gives students both theoretical and practical knowledge that will prepare them for the following:

1) Private- or public-sector employment in the expanding area of homeland security as it relates specifically to domestic security, intelligence, terrorism, as well as emergency preparedness

2) Further study in law, intelligence, government, or policy planning.

Why Minor in Homeland Security?

The main reason to obtain a minor in homeland security is to expand your knowledge with the appropriate skills needed to confront the challenges of natural and man-made threats facing the 21^st century. This in turn will enable you to diversify your career and/or prepare you to enhance your career by adding value to your employer. A minor Homeland Security will compliment any degree since securing all industry sectors is a domestic priority. Students majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Safety Management, and Cybersecurity will be able to distinguish their skill set from that of their peers by minoring in Homeland Security.

In this minor, you will learn the basic foundation and scope of homeland security, the fundamentals of terrorism, risk analysis, and emergency management. Electives include the ability to expand your knowledge about personnel security, fraud, terrorist organizations and lone wolves, weapons of mass destruction, or protecting critical infrastructure and key assets.

What Will You Learn?

Students will study homeland security from a number of perspectives:

The nature of the terrorist threat to the U.S. from both foreign and domestic organizations, including terrorist motives, methods and history
Counterterrorism policies ranging from intelligence, military force, and law enforcement; vulnerability assessments of public infrastructure and institutions
Critical infrastructure protection
Ethical, constitutional, law enforcement, and civil liberties issues related to securing the homeland
Intelligence analysis of domestic and international threats
Policy-making topics, such as organizational design and management, interagency processes, and intergovernmental coordination and cooperation within emergency preparedness and counterterrorism institutions at the local, state, federal and international level.

Careers In Homeland Security

There is a wide arrange of careers available for people with a Homeland Security degree. Graduates from SRU's Homeland Security program have the ability to work in positions such as:

CIA Agent
ICE Agent
FBI Agent
US Air Marshal
ATF Agent
Homeland Security Specialist
Intelligence
Emergency Management
Coast Guard
Customs Agent
Investigations
Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement
Border Control
Transportation Security

The program also offers a certificate in Homeland Security to enhance or compliment degrees in other majors.