Why This Matters

  • WORK IN ONE OF 14 HOMELAND SECURITY AREAS

    The U.S Department of Homeland Security, which employs about 240,000 people, oversees several agencies and offices, including the Coast Guard, Secret Service, FEMA, Customs and Border Patrol, and more.

  • CYBERSECURITY JOBS TO INCREASE 28% BY 2026

    Tracking threats online and preventing cyberterrorism is a growing area of homeland security, with employment increasing much faster than the average. Individuals focusing on cybersecurity will have an edge in this area.

  • EARN AN AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY OF $65,000

    A master’s degree in homeland security leads to a higher salary, with some management jobs in security, research, and cybersecurity paying over $100,000 per year.

Our Research

We reviewed a variety of homeland security degree programs, including Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Professional Studies (MPS), and Master of Public Administration (MPA). Each type of degree has its own pedagogical approach, but all will prepare you for a career in homeland security.

Our list includes programs delivered in online, on-campus, and hybrid or blended formats. This gives you more options when choosing which program is right for your lifestyle and availability.

To ensure the quality of the education, we only reviewed programs that have regional accreditation. This type of accreditation is important because it means the school is eligible for federal financial aid, and your credits can transfer more easily.

We evaluated the programs on their course strength, cost, reputation, faculty, and flexibility. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score for each on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 65 hours to write this article
  • 133 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 327 education programs we compared

The Top 37 Master’s in Homeland Security Programs

Best Online Master's in Homeland Security Degree Programs
01
Intelligent Pick
University of Massachusetts Lowell
01
Best Catholic University
Anna Maria College
01
Best Public University
Angelo State University
01
Best Christian University
Mississippi College
01
Best Professional Development
George Washington University
01
Best in the Northwest
University of Alaska Fairbanks
01
Best in the Northeast
Pace University
01
Most Affordable
Sam Houston State University
01
Flexible Course Delivery
Tulane University
01
Best MBA Degree
Northcentral University
01
Best Master of Public Administration Degree
Upper Iowa University
01
Best Master of Arts Degree
American Public University
01
Best Master of Science Degree
Trident University International
01
Best Global Campus
Purdue University Global
01
Best Criminal Justice Program
Colorado Technical University
01
Best Certificate Program
George Mason University
01
Best Faith-Based Curriculum
Grand Canyon University
01
Best in the South
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
01
Best in the Southwest
Arizona State University
01
Best Christian University
Liberty University
01
Best for Working Professionals
Arkansas Tech University
01
Best Online University
Excelsior University
01
Best Certificate Options
Pennsylvania State University
01
Leadership Emphasis
Thomas Edison State University
01
Best Specialization Options
Salve Regina University
01
Best in the West
National University
01
Nationally Recognized
Northeastern University
01
Best in the Southeast
Nova Southeastern University
01
Best for Adult Learners
Fairleigh Dickinson University
01
Most Experienced Faculty
Saint Joseph's University
01
Legal Focus
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
01
Best Internships
Endicott College
01
Most Experienced Faculty
Adelphi University
01
Best Low Residency Program
St. John's University
01
Criminal Justice Emphasis
Monmouth University
01
Best Experiential Learning Emphasis
Wilmington University
01
DHS Recognition
Long Island University

What You Should Know About This Degree

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created in 2002 in response to the 9/11 terror attacks. As such, the field of homeland security is still relatively new, as are the degree-granting programs in the subject. The skills needed to be successful in the field, and the way they are taught, are still evolving. Individuals entering this field should be prepared to adapt to changes in curriculum and strategies as the field continues to develop.

The U.S. government offers its own homeland security master’s degree through the Naval Postgraduate School. This program is exclusively offered to federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial employees, as well as active U.S. military officers. Depending on the agency a student works for, they may be eligible for free tuition.

Due to the sensitive nature of homeland security jobs, passing a background check is typically a prerequisite for hiring. It’s important to know if there are any incidents or infractions in your background that would prevent you from passing a background check. While this may not affect your admission into a graduate program, it could negatively impact your job prospects after earning your degree.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Homeland Security programs:

  • Does this program offer the concentration I want? If you are interested in preparing for a specific job within homeland security, such as counterterrorism, emergency management, or cybersecurity, you should seek out a program that offers a concentration in that area.
  • Does the program require a thesis? Some master’s programs (usually Master of Science degrees) include a thesis project as a requirement for graduation. Theses are usually research-focused, and they are especially valuable for individuals who are planning on getting a doctoral degree.

In addition to researching the program’s curriculum and outcomes, be sure to explore the application process and financial aid options. This information is usually available on the school’s website, or you can contact their admissions and financial aid departments directly if you have any questions. Financial aid options typically include loans, scholarships, assistantships, and tuition assistance from your employer.

Find Your Degree