Can you Major in Homeland Security at College?

Interested in going into the homeland security field, but not sure if formal education is the right away to get your start? You might be surprised to know that not only can you major in Homeland Security while you're at a university or college of your choice, but earning this degree could be a big help to you as you move along in your career!

Homeland Security: What’s the Worst That Could Happen?

As a Homeland Security professional, your job in every situation is to manage outcomes based on worst-case scenarios. Now that you’ve envisioned explosions, fires, floods, plagues, and swarms of locusts, here is one of the biggest crises facing Homeland Security today: employee turnover and retention.

"Recently, the department of homeland security has experienced some of the highest rates of turnover in the federal government. …One reason for this exodus is the temptation of more money from private security companies. That may be good for those employees, but it’s bad for the government since it must continue protecting the nation." -The Biggest Problem in Homeland Security

In other words, you are badly needed! The worst that could happen is our inability to protect ourselves. This is a problem you can solve when you complete your Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security degree.

Homeland Security Careers

A criminal justice degree could also lead to an overseas career in addition to U.S. Homeland Security opportunities. As we study global crime trends, another need is emerging: crime prevention. This is a great area of focus for our and other countries. For those who want to help here on the home front, some Homeland Security fields include:

• Citizenship and Immigration Services
  • Asylum officer
  • Immigration officer
• Customs and Border Protection
  • Border Patrol agent
  • Import specialist
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Federal coordinating officer
  • Program specialist (fire; national security; response, recovery, preparedness, and mitigation)
• Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
  • Law enforcement specialist (instruction)
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  • Detention and deportation officer
  • Police officer
  • Immigration enforcement agent
  • Security specialist
• Information Analysis and Infrastructure
  • Protection Directorate
  • Protective security advisor
  • Intelligence operations specialist
• Office of the Inspector General
  • Attorney
  • Auditor
• Science and Technology Directorate
  • Secretarial Offices
  • Human resources specialist
  • Policy analyst
• Transportation and Security Administration
  • Criminal investigator
  • Intelligence operations specialist
  • Program and management analysis
  • Transportation security screener
• U.S. Coast Guard
  • Contract specialist

Do You Have What It Takes?

A Homeland Security job may be one of the most exciting career opportunities imaginable. It’s not for everyone, however… You may already have some of the skills you need:

• Analytical thinking – Homeland Security professionals often must piece together information as if working a jigsaw puzzle. Decisions are difficult – but may need to be made – after analyzing incomplete data.
• Emotional steadiness – This is work-under-pressure and a lot of it for long periods. Your ability to remain cool, calm, and collected is important because lives depend on it.
• Flexible thinking – Criminals are very adaptable. For you to be able to out-think them, creativity and flexible thinking skills are helpful.
• No criminal background – Documented prior drug use and criminal convictions can impede a career in Homeland Security. Find out if you qualify.
• Quick response – When a crisis presents itself, the clock is usually ticking. You need to think and act fast.

Why Education is Important

You may not have all the skills needed for a successful career in Homeland Security, and that’s why you need education. Skills can be taught. Teaching you how to apply those skills on the job is what education can do for you. During that time, you could learn:

• Intelligence gathering
• Legality issues
• NIMS (National Incident Management System) principles
• Policies/procedures
• Security/surveillance principles

Is Homeland Security the Right Career Choice for You?

Are you interested in a career in homeland security? If you think that a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Focus in Homeland Security Degree is right for you, ECPI University offers this course at an accelerated rate. For more information about this exciting opportunity, connect with a friendly admissions advisor 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.