Online Master of Science Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management

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Program at a Glance
  • Study the legal, social, business, economic, and political aspects of homeland security.
  • Learn from hands-on, project-oriented, and problem-based courses that explore real challenges and issues from a variety of perspectives.
  • Gain insight from professors who bring real-world experience to the courses they teach.
COURSE EFFORT 25 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 6-Week Terms
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 55
COST PER CREDIT $420
Ways to Save
How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

October 23
December 11
January 29
March 18

Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management Overview

You are driven to protect the public and lead others to do the same. Purdue Global’s homeland security and emergency management master’s degree helps you develop in-depth knowledge and leadership skills relevant to this challenging and dynamic industry.

The online master’s in homeland security and emergency management explores how federal and private institutions find sustainable security and emergency management solutions on a local, regional, national, and global level. You’ll also examine the interrelationships of public and private sector businesses and industries, economics, policy, politics, culture, ideology, psychology, and human dynamics.

Courses focus on topics such as:

  • Economics and resource availability
  • Regulation and law
  • Politics of security
  • Dynamics of emergency management
  • Security and policy making
  • Homeland defense
  • Interagency cooperation

Opportunities for Professional Development

Online discussion boards allow you to engage with students from around the country and learn from their experiences. You can also take advantage of the Graduate Resource Center, a self-paced course that includes information on professional memberships and clubs, career services, social networking, and more.

Course Outcomes

Each term, homeland security and emergency management students are assessed on their mastery of the course outcomes, which measure the skills, knowledge, abilities, and behaviors employers expect. View a summary of these assessments. For information related to prior learning credits transferred into the program, student success rate in courses taken, capstone survey results from students completing, and the number of graduates for the program, view this document.


See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Admissions Requirements

To enroll in the homeland security and emergency management master’s degree program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 


Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

Distinguished. Experienced. Committed.

As one of the largest providers of public safety programs in the United States, we’ve supported the career and educational advancement of many dedicated criminal justice professionals like yourself. You’ll join a wide network of students, alumni, faculty, and employers.*

Purdue University Global Is Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission

This accreditation covers all academic programs, all regional locations, and all programs provided via distance education. For more information, please visit HLCommission.org or call 800-621-7440.

Career Opportunities

The Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management is designed to prepare you to pursue management-level positions with employers such as the Department of Homeland Security and other federal, state, and local agencies. It can also help prepare you for a dynamic career within private-sector consulting companies.

Other opportunities in this dynamic and diverse emergency management career field include emergency preparedness and response, border and transportation security, infrastructure protection, information analysis, homeland defense, emergency management, service and response, and hazard mitigation.

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

  1. Active Listening
  2. Speaking
  3. Complex Problem Solving
  4. Judgement and Decision Making
  5. Monitoring

Top Jobs With This Degree

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2016–2028) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Prior experience may be necessary for leadership positions. Local, state, and federal law enforcement jobs may require additional training or education including additional state-approved higher education beyond the Purdue Global degree. This program was not designed to meet any specific state’s requirements, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information. Graduates of Purdue Global criminal justice programs are not eligible to attend police academies in Minnesota.

The Purdue Global Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management curriculum focuses on the legal, social, business, economic, and political aspects of the industry.

You'll gain insight from professors who bring real-world experience to the courses they teach.

Sample Courses
  • Applied Research
  • Crisis and Emergency Management Fundamentals
  • Homeland Security Policies, Principles, Procedures, and Plans
  • Planning and Operations in Crisis and Emergency Management
  • Risk, Vulnerability, and Capability Assessment Methods
See All Homeland Security Courses
Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits55
  • Total Credits55

Ways to Save

Program Cost Estimator

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current cost per credit
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Maine residents will pay $420.00 per credit for all graduate programs, with the exception of the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Tuition does not include University fees and associated program fees. View tuition and fee information or contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Criminal Justice and Fire Science Faculty Directory
grad hat icon 97% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
diploma icon 45% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
tablet icon 231 Faculty publications in 2017–2018
student at desk icon More Than 50,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2018–2019

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2019. 2018–2019 academic year.

School Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our criminal justice programs and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2016-2017 Total Degrees and Certificates Conferred, First Major, Criminal Justice and Corrections, and Fire Protection, nces.ed.gov/IPEDS. Based on total number of degrees and certificates granted by Kaplan University compared to other Title IV institutions. Note: these data were reported prior to the March 2018 purchase of Kaplan University by Purdue University and subsequent creation of Purdue University Global.