Homeland Security Specialist

With the onset of terrorism and heightened threats both at home and abroad, Homeland Security is a growing, increasingly complex field within the Criminal Justice field. Homeland security professionals address key functions of threat prevention, crisis response, and operations recovery. Given that homeland security is a responsibility shared by a number of different government agencies, professionals in this field require cooperation from all sides including the private sector and individual citizens. Ideal for anyone entering law enforcement, private security or public administration, this course provides students with an overview of homeland security issues, threats and emergency management to ensure they understand the context within which their roles and responsibilities contribute to the overall effort to deter and mitigate against the effects of these new threats.

This program is designed to prepare successful participants to work in various Homeland Security agencies at a local, state or federal level. Specifically for those learners whose career-focus is in counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, national security or government security, this program is a great way to examine new and different subject areas within this growing field. The program provides an overview of the elements involved in the homeland security function, as well as the challenges critical infrastructure managers in government and industry can/will face while maintaining mission operations and staff accountability in the midst of multiple overlapping roles and responsibilities in our rapidly changing world.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Compare national security policy before 9/11 with changes to that policy as a consequence of 9/11 and the formation of the
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Describe the purpose and organization of the DHS
• Explain the concept of terrorism
• Examine the use of intelligence
• Analyze intelligence
• Describe critical infrastructure and key resources
• Examine cyber terrorism
• Examine how transportation systems are at risk and protected from terrorist threats
• Examine the effects of terrorism on public health
• Describe the purpose and structure of the National Response Framework (NRF)
• Describe the U.S. approach to emergency management
• Describe the Incident Command System (ICS)
• Describe how incident response situations are managed
• Describe the purpose, structure, and function of the ICS
• Write a response plan to an emergency situation
• Describe the ethical considerations involved in homeland security issues
• Describe the use of communication technologies in emergency situations
• Examine the role of various fields in preparing for and responding to emergencies
• Describe the role of higher learning institutions in preparing graduates for understanding their role in homeland security
• Use Microsoft Office®

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Homeland Security (CJ-HSS)

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.