The Bachelor of Science in homeland security at University of Maryland Global Campus can help you develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for management and leadership in homeland security. The coursework has been developed by practitioner-scholars who work in a variety of homeland security roles and is designed to provide you with a global outlook, interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, and awareness of current issues in domestic and international security. You'll use actual homeland security information, taken straight from government sources, in your assignments.
These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2020–2021 academic year. Read this year's program catalog to see our recommended course sequence for this program. For prior year academic requirements, visit our catalog archive.
This program is also available as a minor.
About the Homeland Security Bachelor’s Degree
What You'll Learn
Through your coursework, you will learn how to
- Lead, manage, and motivate others, developing their knowledge and skills, to establish and achieve strategic and operational homeland security goals and interface with internal and external audiences
- Manage technology and information for the protection and recovery of critical infrastructure/information in a hostile or emergency environment
- Navigate the financial, personnel, legal, and political information of public or private organizations to identify, evaluate, and address organizational needs, requirements, and resources
- Research, analyze, and synthesize complex intelligence information using various methods to formulate risk assessments and responses to emerging threats
- Communicate, negotiate, and educate strategically and tactically across cultural boundaries with diverse partners and stakeholders within homeland security
- Write concise and succinct policy, planning, and procedure documents for a variety of audiences to support homeland security operations
Coursework Examples
In past projects, students have had the opportunity to
- Identify a homeland security issue
- Analyze how the issue should be addressed
- Present possible solutions, including implementation steps and recommendations
Homeland Security Bachelor’s Degree Requirements
Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.
Courses in the Major
Total Credits Required: 120
- Required Major Courses: 33
- Minor and Elective Courses: 46
- General Education Courses: 41
Required Major Courses
- HMLS 302
- HMLS 310
- HMLS 406
- HMLS 408
- HMLS 414
- HMLS 416
- PSAD 410
- PSAD 414
- PSAD 416
- HMLS 304
- HMLS 495
Related Required Course
The following may be applied to general education or elective requirements:
- IFSM 300
Vertical Pathway
Through a vertical pathway, students who complete this program may be eligible to reduce their total coursework for a master’s degree in Management with a Homeland Security Management specialization or Information Technology with a Homeland Security Management specialization.
General Education Requirements
UMGC outlines the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework for bachelor's degrees on the General Education Requirements webpage.
In addition to the major, elective, and general education courses and requirements outlined on this page, please review the overall bachelor's degree requirements.
Career Preparation
This program is designed to help prepare you for management work in security risk assessments, operational recovery, and strategy development to protect people, facilities, and critical infrastructure.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Type: Student organization
Available To: Undergraduate and Graduate
The Public Safety Student Association encourages discussions on careers, current events, and topics within the public safety field. Previous activities have included webinars on related topics and careers.
About the Faculty
Our world-class faculty members combine academic credentials with a wealth of experience in the field.
Our faculty work or have worked at organizations including
- Department of Homeland Security
- State and local homeland security agencies
Featured Faculty

Susan Blankenship
Program Chair, Investigative Forensics, Public Safety Administration, and Homeland Security, and Collegiate Professor

Rebecca Himes
Adjunct Associate Professor of Homeland Security and Public Safety Administration