Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Public Safety (B.S.H.S.P.S.) Degree
Majors Overview March 7, 2015Students will learn how to analyze threats to the safety and well-being of citizens. They learn to counteract and plan for homeland security threats along with assessing reports and incidents with the necessary resources.
Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Public Safety (B.S.H.S.P.S.) Degree Programs
Students enrolled in a B.S.H.S.P.S. program gain a firm grasp on crisis management procedures and national security issues. They can expect to become adept at assessing possible terrorist activity, managing crises, understanding the organizational systems in homeland security, and analyzing potential problems.
Additionally, students gain a good grasp of anticipating and coping with emergencies, such as pandemics and natural disasters. Numerous concentration areas may be available, including emergency planning, threat assessment, or international terrorism.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma. Some schools offer bachelor’s programs in continuation program formats that require incoming students to hold an associate’s degree.
Coursework
Coursework covers psychology, investigation, public policy, and management skills. Core coursework may include topic areas such as the following:
•Social deviance
•Crisis and disasters
•Investigating terrorism
•Domestic terrorism
•Public safety and security introduction
•Criminal law
•Psychology and sociology of terrorism
Career Choices
Those who complete the program may seek careers that involve providing security for local, federal, and international government organizations, such as law enforcement and aviation security. Additionally, they can also seek employment with research institutions and private corporations, working to ensure the safety and security of their fellow employees. These professionals may commonly find jobs such as:
•Border patrol agent
•Cyber security specialist
•FBI agent
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, job growths of five percent have been predicted for police and detectives, including U.S. border patrol agents (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, police and sheriff’s patrol officers brought home an average annual wage of $56,980 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Those who seek continuing education beyond the B.S.H.S.P.S. degree program may earn a master’s degree program in public safety and homeland security. Coursework in these degree programs is devised to provide further education about coping with natural disasters, in addition to the prevention of crime and terrorism. The program also provides more in-depth training on management, preparation, and public safety relating to the organization of large-scale programs and projects.