Master of Science in Homeland Security & Emergency Management
What happens after a natural disaster or catastrophic event, such as an earthquake or a mass shooting? How do you implement the search and rescue? How do you facilitate the recovery? How do you communicate updates to the media and the public? How do you build a recovery plan? Berkshire University’s Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management (MSHSEM) program gives you the training to answer these questions.
The terrorist events of 9/11 highlighted the national and international need for individuals with expertise in homeland security, and naturally occurring events such as Hurricane Katrina, the Southern California wildfires, Joplin tornados, and Japanese tsunami are further evidence of the ongoing requirement for specialized knowledge in emergency management. NU’s Master’s in Homeland Security represents an interdisciplinary area of research and application that brings together the fields of homeland security, terrorism, and emergency management as they relate to man-made and natural disasters.
Professionals with the right leadership skills and training are needed in all corners of the nation and all over the globe to protect against terrorism and threats coming from both domestic and international sources. Our online homeland security degree is designed to prepare you for leadership roles protecting against threats facing our country and around the globe.
Degree Requirements
HSE 613 Policies of Homeland Security – 4.50
Introduces the student to legal, policy, and ethics issues inherent in the security of the United States. Laws and policies affecting this area have been in place for years; however, the events of 9/11 introduced a flood of Acts, regulations, and directives that play a critical role in supporting evolving policy. Conflicts between Federal and State law make for a volatile and challenging study.
HSE 614 Infrastructure Protection – 4.50
This course introduces the student to Critical Infrastructure and the necessary security for its protection. Critical Infrastructure is systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital that the capacity or destruction of such may have a debilitating impact on the security of the nation and across any level of government or jurisdiction.
HSE 640 Leading Complex Environments – 4.50
This course explores the challenges of leading in complex organizational and system environments that are part of homeland security and emergency management responses. The course demonstrates the complexities of leading by building on collaboration. It emphasizes the role of building support and collaboration to maximize strengths of an organization or system in preparing for and responding to natural and manmade disasters.
HSE 625 Domestic Terrorism – 4.50
Examines the current issues in domestic terrorism. Topics include anti-Americanism, religious fundamentalism, nuclear proliferation, cyber terrorism, global jihad, port security, torture and detainees.
HSE 611 Emergency/Disaster Response – 4.50
Provides the student an overview of the most important aspects of emergency management and disaster response. The course discusses best practices of the all-hazards approach to responding to manmade and natural disasters.
HSE 615 Fundamentals of Recovery – 4.50
This course addresses the concepts, operational procedures, and authorities involved in recovering from major disasters. Federal, State, and local government roles and responsibilities in major disaster recover work will be covered, as well as government coordination and the solution of problems frequently arising in recovery operations. Preliminary damage assessment, disaster recovery centers, and special needs of victims and disaster workers are discussed.
HSE 606 Managing Information Security – 4.50
Introduces computer security issues in traditional computer systems to distributed networks and the Internet. Covers cryptography; program and operating system security; administration; legal; privacy; and ethical issues.
HSE 635 Communication and Security – 4.50
This course provides an examination of terrorism and homeland security from a communication perspective. It explores how terrorism is essentially a message. Through case studies and speeches, it explores how terrorists and governments communicate messages through actions and discourse. The course also discusses how political media, the mass media and global media outlets support communicating messages.
HSE 620 Global Lessons in Security – 4.50
Examination of overseas homeland security practices in the areas of terrorist threats, emergency response, critical infrastructure, radicalization, border and transportation security.
HSE 630 Immigration Issues in Security – 4.50
This course examines the impact of immigration policy on homeland security issues. Topics covered include the history of immigration and customs services; the impact of immigration policy and border security; the developments in immigration policy since 9/11; the impact of immigration policy on homegrown radicalization; and the ethical concerns of homeland security issues with respect to immigration policy.
HSE 690A Capstone Course – 4.50
Prerequisite: Completion of at least six core courses of the program.
This course focuses on applying the knowledge and processes learned through this program. Working in a team or as an individual under the guidance of the instructor, students select a research topic, and gather data. The duration of the course is one month. Grading is H, S or U only.
HSE 690B Capstone Course – 4.50
Prerequisite: HSE 690A with a minimum grade of S. Students need to complete HSE690A before HSE690B.; Completion of at least six core courses of the program
This course is a continuation of the HSE690A project course and continues the application of knowledge learned to select a research topic, gather data and defend conclusions. Grading is H, S or U only.
Degree and Course Requirements
To be awarded a Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, students must complete at least 54 quarter units of graduate work. A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and provided the units were not used in earning another advanced degree. Students should refer to the section on graduate admission requirements for specific information regarding application and evaluation.
For students in the BS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management/MS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management program, the University will waive up to two homeland security and emergency management courses taken as part of the bachelor’s degree (see the BS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management/BS in Criminal Justice Administration/Bachelor of Public Administration transition program), but these students must still meet the residency requirements for the MS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The number of courses waived is dependent on the courses taken and grades earned in the transition program.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of Berkshire University’s Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management program, you’ll develop the following skills:
Integrate tools, resources, and organizational systems for the successful implementation of homeland security and emergency management issues
Formulate global mindset to terrorism, homeland security, and emergency management issues
Assess the impact of security issues for the operation of the public and private sectors with respect to manmade and natural disasters
Integrate resources, organizational systems, and decision-making processes for the successful implementation of homeland security and emergency management plans
Assess the impact of communications and the media on terrorism, homeland security and emergency management messaging
Critique legal and ethical issues in homeland security and emergency management
Admissions
Enrolling in a university is a big decision. That’s why our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you through the admissions process and help you find the right program for you and your career goals.
To that end, we’ve simplified and streamlined our application process, so you can get enrolled in your program right away. Because we accept and review applications year round, you can begin class as soon as next month, depending on your program and location of choice.
Learn more about undergraduate, graduate, military, and international student admissions, plus admissions information for transfer students. You can also learn more about our tuition rates and financial aid opportunities.