Homeland Security Masters Online | Masters Legal Studies

Meet the challenges in protecting our nation.

Professionals who are invested in our nation’s security gain in-depth knowledge through Cal U’s Master of Science in Legal Studies program. The homeland security concentration provides a comprehensive study of ways to prevent and counter terrorism and make the United States and its citizens less vulnerable to attacks.

The specialized master’s in homeland security emphasizes a full range of policy issues, including:

Plans, programs and strategies to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States.
Strategies for reducing America’s vulnerability to terrorism.
Organizational arrangements needed to strengthen homeland security, including local/state/federal, civil/military and interagency cooperation.

Through critical analysis of real-world situations, you’ll seek opportunities to develop policies that improve homeland security preparedness.

Uphold civil liberties while keeping America safe.

Students in the M.S. in Legal Studies: Homeland Security concentration build professional skills while addressing some of the most challenging issues of our time.

In this fully online program, you’ll study domestic extremism, terrorism, and biological, chemical and nuclear threats. Thought-provoking courses also focus on ethics, law and public policy, civil liberties under the Constitution, emergency management principles, and intelligence practices in homeland security.

The online master’s in legal studies can be completed in one year of full-time or two years of part-time study. Cal U’s accelerated B.A. to M.S. in Legal Studies option reduces time to completion even further by allowing undergraduate students to complete up to 12 credits of graduate-level courses during their senior year.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: HOMELAND SECURITY

Career connections
The homeland security graduate program takes a realistic, practical approach to the study of law and public policy. Designed for working professionals and serious students with an interest in homeland and national security, the program is ideal for law enforcement professionals who monitor our nation’s borders, executives who craft policies related to preparedness in the face of security threats, cybersecurity personnel, and human resources professionals.

Top faculty
Expert faculty guide your studies in the homeland security master’s concentration. Their credentials include degrees from top institutions such as Capital University Law School and the Notre Dame School of Law; the Judge General’s School of the U.S. Army; the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, Naval Post Graduate School; the FBI National Academy; and more.

Certificate option
In addition to the master’s degree program, Cal U offers a fully online homeland security certificate that can be earned as a standalone credential or as part of the master's degree program. Complete the 15-credit certificate program in just 12 months so you’re prepared for a new career or ready to move ahead in your current profession.

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As a fully online program, Cal U's M.S. in legal studies is flexible and accessible.

30

Credits required to complete the homeland security concentration.

Degree Benefits

The Homeland security concentration prepares committed professionals to craft laws and policies that enhance homeland security preparedness. Students explore laws and public policies related to homeland and national security; gain knowledge of domestic and foreign threats; learn organizational approaches that build strength through effective collaboration; develop strategies that can reduce our nation’s vulnerabilities; and build expertise in prevention, resilience and response.

Graduate Outcomes

Because Cal U's online master's in homeland security blends the humanities, business and political science with legal and policy issues, program graduates are ready for a wide range of homeland security roles. The concentration is ideal for professionals seeking to move into leadership positions, and for those seeking new job opportunities or a second career after law enforcement. Graduates are employed by agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and local and state law enforcement.

Curriculum, Admission Requirements, and Related Programs

Curriculum

Course	Credits
LAW 600 Law and Public Policy	3
LAW 601 Law and Ethics	3
LAW 602 Law, Civil Liberties and the Constitution	3
LAW 603 Law and Legal Method	3
AST 700 U.S. Homeland Security	3
AST 710 Emergency Management Principles, Law and Policy	3
AST 720 Domestic Extremism in the United States	3
AST 740 Terrorism, Threat and Vulnerability Analysis and Protection	3
AST 760 Biological, Chemical, Nuclear and WMD Threats in Homeland Security	3
AST 780 Intelligence Practice in Homeland Security	3
Total	30

VIEW COHORT SEQUENCES

Admission Requirements

Regular Admission Requirements

Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.00 or higher (Students with a GPA below 3.00 may apply for conditional admission)

Official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution

Conditional Admission Requirements

Conditional Admission may be granted with the following modifications of the Regular Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor's degree with a GPA under 3.00 will be reviewed for a decision
Resume with contact information for three professional references with an overview of professional work experience
500-word essay supporting the application

Provisional Admission:

Applicants who have provided unofficial documentation of test scores, prerequisite courses, transcripts or lack of letter(s) of recommendation may be admitted provisionally.

This policy also applies to undergraduate students who apply for graduate admission pending bachelor degree completion. Upon receipt of all official documents, a student will be changed from Provisional Admission to either Regular Admission or Conditional Admission. Provisional Admission students may take classes for one term but will not be eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

How to Apply:

Complete the Graduate School Application

Submit the nonrefundable $35 Application Fee

Mail official transcript to:

School of Graduate Studies and Research
California University of Pennsylvania
Box 91
250 University Ave.
California, PA 15419

For additional information:
Email: calugo@calu.edu
Phone: 1.866.595.6348

Related Programs

Concentrations:

Certificates:

Career network

Cal U’s online students learn in cohorts, studying with other professionals who become valuable career contacts and colleagues. Each cohort member enters the program with a unique set of skills and experiences to share. Graduate students in the homeland security program may be employed in government, law enforcement or police, military or private-sector security agencies.

Professional resource

Program coordinator Dr. Christina Toras, a licensed, practicing attorney, is also director of the Institute for Law and Public Policy at Cal U. The institute provides continuing education for a wide range of professionals in southwestern Pennsylvania through degree and certificate programs, and professional development and training opportunities.

Faculty Support

Students in the Legal Studies: Homeland Security degree program receive academic and professional advisement from the start of the program through graduation. A dedicated faculty adviser will work closely with you to monitor and guide your academic progress and offer career advice.