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School of Security & Global Studies

Homeland Security

Online Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

Enhance your knowledge of homeland defense, policies, planning, and programs and evaluate current defense tactics with the homeland security certificate program at American Public University (APU).

APU’s online graduate certificate in homeland security covers a wide range of topics including homeland security threats, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, intelligence, and interagency government-related issues.

The program is intended for graduate students who want to expand their knowledge of homeland security without committing to a degree program, especially those already in the homeland security field or the military.

NOTE: Completion of this program does not award any professional certifications, but may be helpful in preparing to earn such certifications.

What You Will Do

  1. Predict the need to conduct and/or contract for research related to high probability chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or energetic (CBRNE) events and their consequences in any community of interest
  2. Design and modify homeland security plans and programs at federal, state, and/or local levels
  3. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of public, private, and military efforts to reduce patterned and non-patterned "warfare" by overt and covert means of both nation states and transnational terrorist groups

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$425 | $250*
$382.50**
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 3624

|
This course provides basic research methods skills for addressing homeland security studies problems and issues. Students focus on the detailed procedures for conducting qualitative case studies. Students become well versed in research planning, secondary data collection, and qualitative data analysis methods and how these methods relate to the larger field of social science research. This course prepares students for intermediate and advanced security and intelligence methods.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 Fall 2023 Session I 8 Week session
06/26/23 - 12/01/23 12/04/23 - 01/28/24 Fall 2023 Session D 8 Week session
07/31/23 - 12/29/23 01/01/24 - 02/25/24 Winter 2024 Session B 8 Week session
08/28/23 - 02/02/24 02/05/24 - 03/31/24 Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
09/25/23 - 03/01/24 03/04/24 - 04/28/24 Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session
10/30/23 - 03/29/24 04/01/24 - 05/26/24 Spring 2024 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4483

|
This course offers a comprehensive overview of key elements of the United States’ homeland security program. This overview will have students examining, discussing and analyzing homeland security operational and policy concerns which have continued to evolve in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 Fall 2023 Session I 8 Week session
06/26/23 - 12/01/23 12/04/23 - 01/28/24 Fall 2023 Session D 8 Week session
07/31/23 - 12/29/23 01/01/24 - 02/25/24 Winter 2024 Session B 8 Week session
08/28/23 - 02/02/24 02/05/24 - 03/31/24 Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
09/25/23 - 03/01/24 03/04/24 - 04/28/24 Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session
10/30/23 - 03/29/24 04/01/24 - 05/26/24 Spring 2024 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 3234

|
This course explores the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as a unique phenomenon within the homeland security landscape. Specifically, this course provides students with a historical perspective on the development and use of WMD from both an international and a domestic perspective. The course also explores the efforts to prevent, prepare, and respond to the use of WMDs.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 Fall 2023 Session I 8 Week session
06/26/23 - 12/01/23 12/04/23 - 01/28/24 Fall 2023 Session D 8 Week session
07/31/23 - 12/29/23 01/01/24 - 02/25/24 Winter 2024 Session B 8 Week session
08/28/23 - 02/02/24 02/05/24 - 03/31/24 Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
09/25/23 - 03/01/24 03/04/24 - 04/28/24 Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session
10/30/23 - 03/29/24 04/01/24 - 05/26/24 Spring 2024 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 3225

|
This course traces the history, emergence, and growth of domestic terrorist and extremist groups within the United States. Students will assess various groups' intentions, capabilities, and activities within contexts of and ramifications on political, national security, and legal paradigms.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 Fall 2023 Session I 8 Week session
06/26/23 - 12/01/23 12/04/23 - 01/28/24 Fall 2023 Session D 8 Week session
07/31/23 - 12/29/23 01/01/24 - 02/25/24 Winter 2024 Session B 8 Week session
08/28/23 - 02/02/24 02/05/24 - 03/31/24 Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
09/25/23 - 03/01/24 03/04/24 - 04/28/24 Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session
10/30/23 - 03/29/24 04/01/24 - 05/26/24 Spring 2024 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 3110

|
This course examines intelligence community responses to threats to the U.S. homeland from transnational and domestic actors. Threats to the U.S. borders, including illegal immigration, narcotics smuggling, money laundering, commercial smuggling, and other organized crime activities are also covered.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/29/23 - 11/03/23 11/06/23 - 12/31/23 Fall 2023 Session I 8 Week session
06/26/23 - 12/01/23 12/04/23 - 01/28/24 Fall 2023 Session D 8 Week session
07/31/23 - 12/29/23 01/01/24 - 02/25/24 Winter 2024 Session B 8 Week session
08/28/23 - 02/02/24 02/05/24 - 03/31/24 Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
09/25/23 - 03/01/24 03/04/24 - 04/28/24 Winter 2024 Session D 8 Week session
10/30/23 - 03/29/24 04/01/24 - 05/26/24 Spring 2024 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4489

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This course is provides an understanding of the structure of homeland security law and policy. This course will familiarize students with the extensive and complex legal codes that come under the heading of Homeland Security. The course will cover statutes, policy papers, presidential directives, and other documents related to homeland security allowing for an in-depth examination of the foundations of homeland security. The course will provide the student with important legal guidance allowing the student to accurately interpret, understand, and apply homeland security law and policy. The course provides a detailed overview of the subject of homeland security and includes definitions of homeland security, terrorism, the related law, and its development. The course discusses homeland security in other countries as well i.e. Europe, China, Japan.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
06/26/23 - 12/01/23 12/04/23 - 01/28/24 Fall 2023 Session D 8 Week session
08/28/23 - 02/02/24 02/05/24 - 03/31/24 Winter 2024 Session I 8 Week session
10/30/23 - 03/29/24 04/01/24 - 05/26/24 Spring 2024 Session B 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jan 6
Register by Jan 3
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

  • All APU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA®).
  • Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

CHEA® is a registered trademark of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University’s transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

 

*Cost Per Credit Hour

American Public University's Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for all undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.