Why This Matters

  • JOIN DHS AS ONE OF OVER 240,000 EMPLOYEES

    The U.S Department of Homeland Security is a major employer of security professionals. It administers a range of agencies, including the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, FEMA, and more.

  • CYBERSECURITY JOBS TO INCREASE 35% BY 2031

    As our reliance on computers and information networks increases, so does the need for cybersecurity professionals to track and prevent threats. By 2031, the U.S. will have 56,500 new jobs in this sector.

  • EARN OVER $60,000 PER YEAR

    Individuals with a Master’s in Homeland Security degree earn an average salary of $62,000, according to Payscale.

Our Research

This list features some of the best online Master’s in Security programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list have been accredited by reputable organizations, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education and Middle States Commission on Higher Education, that assess the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of colleges and universities.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online Master’s in Security programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The Top 31 Online Master’s in Security Programs

Best Master's in Security Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
Northeastern University
01
Best for Homeland Security
American University
01
Best for Security Management
University of Houston at Downtown
01
Best for Global Security
Arizona State University
01
Best Capstone Project
Towson University
01
Best Concentrations
University of Massachusetts Lowell
01
Best Accelerated Program
University of Arizona
01
Easiest Admissions Process
National University
01
Best Certificates
Tulane University
01
Most Flexible Start Terms
Purdue University Global
01

Virginia Commonwealth University
01

Southern Illinois University
01

Endicott College
01

Mississippi College
01

Nova Southeastern University College of Education & School of Criminal Justice
01

Liberty University
01

Johns Hopkins University
01

Park University
01

Pace University
01

Angelo State University
01

Drexel University
01

University of Texas at Austin
01

Adelphi University
01

Regent University
01

University of Denver
01

East Carolina University
01

John Jay College of Criminal Justice
01

The Citadel
01

Webster University
01

Bellevue University
01

University of Colorado Denver
01

Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center
01

The George Washington University
01

The University of Texas at El Paso
01

Fairleigh Dickinson University
01

Penn State World Campus
01

University of Maryland Global Campus
01

Clemson University
01

Salve Regina University
01

West Virginia University
01

Central Michigan University
01

Wilmington University
01

Thomas Edison State University
01

University of Alaska Fairbanks
01

Saint Louis University
01

Upper Iowa University
01

University of South Florida
01

Excelsior College

What You Should Know About This Degree

The homeland security field is relatively new, and as such, the skills needed and methods of teaching them are still evolving. In 2002, the United States created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a response to the 9/11 terror attacks. Since then, the DHS has expanded to oversee cybersecurity, law enforcement, emergency response, immigration services, border patrol, and more. Individuals who are considering a degree and career in this field should be flexible and ready to adapt to new developments in curriculum and teaching strategies.

If you are currently an active U.S. military officer or employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, tribal, or territory agency, you may be eligible to earn a master’s in homeland security degree through the Naval Postgraduate School. Depending on the agency you work for, you may be able to attend the program tuition-free.

Most homeland security jobs require that job candidates pass background checks, drug tests, and other screenings. While incidents or infractions on your record may not preclude you from admission to a master’s program, they may impact your ability to find employment. If there are any situations on your record that may present an issue, speak to an advisor about what steps you can take to address them before enrolling in a program.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Master’s in Security programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? As an advanced degree, some programs seek candidates who have an educational background or work experience in homeland security or a related field. It’s important to look at the eligibility requirements when selecting a program to confirm that you meet the minimum qualifications for admission.
  • Does this program offer the specialization I want? There are a number of specialization options available within the homeland security field, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, public health preparedness, and more. If you want to prepare for a career in one of these specialized areas, it may be beneficial to seek out a program that will allow to focus on your area of interest.

Other steps you can take at this time include collecting your application materials, confirming application deadlines and procedures, and researching your options for financing your graduate degree. Most schools have admissions representatives and financial aid counselors who can help you with these steps. Funding options include scholarships, assistantships, student loans, and tuition assistance benefits from your employer if you are currently employed.