Homeland Security Major (B.S.)

https://manchester.unh.edu/program/bs/homeland-security-major

Fully available on both Durham and Manchester campuses, the UNH Homeland Security program is built upon the expertise and advice of subject matter experts from around the Nation. Its proven curriculum includes practical experiences, service and experiential learning opportunities, and consulting opportunities that together empower students to manage programs and to lead people. HLS provides students with an impressive array of tools including how to do strategic planning, how to build emergency management and continuity plans, how to perform an organization-wide security and risk assessments, and how to design and evaluate exercises. The 4-year curriculum is flexible and incorporates the ability for students to complete coursework of “breadth” as either two minors, a double major, or a dual degree. Students transferring with an associate’s degree automatically satisfy the breadth requirement. Ultimately, the Homeland Security program empowers students to be successful on the job market or in graduate school.

Homeland security is a broad-field, applied liberal arts degree teaching students critical thinking, writing and analysis skills. As a result, HLS creates several graduate school opportunities and opens students to dozens of career paths in both the public sector (i.e., local, state or federal government), and the private sector or the military. Students will find diverse and rewarding career opportunities in cyber security/ information assurance, intelligence analysis, civil or Foreign Service, diplomatic security, law enforcement at the local, state or federal levels, emergency and disaster management, immigration, border and transportation security, policy making, corporate security, risk management, critical infrastructure protection, human security and more.

For additional information, contact Terrence O'Sullivan, HLS Program Coordinator, or the UNH Manchester Office of Admissions at (603) 641-4150.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

All courses within the major, fully available on both Durham and Manchester campuses, must be completed with a grade of C- or above and an overall GPA of 2.0 or above in major courses.

Core Major Requirements
HLS 410Introduction to Homeland Security4
HLS 415Fundamentals of Corporate Security4
HLS 455Introduction to Cybersecurity4
HLS 480Professional Skills in Homeland Security4
HLS 505Political Violence and Terrorism4
HLS 510Fundamentals of Emergency Management4
HLS 515Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience4
HLS 520Homeland Security Law and Policy4
HLS 580Environmental and Human Security4
HLS 605Disaster Research Methods4
or JUST 501 Research Methods
or PSYC 502 Research Methods in Psychology
HLS 650Topics in National Security Intelligence4
HLS 760Strategic Planning and Decision Making4
HLS 770Internship in Homeland Security4
or HLS 799 Senior Thesis in Homeland Security
HLS 790Capstone in Homeland Security4
Total Credits56

Breadth Requirement
In addition to the core HLS courses, students must complete 40 additional credits from either Durham or Manchester campuses, or both, in one of five ways:

  1. two minors;
  2. a minor and a "coherent block"/self-designed concentration (i.e., ROTC credits, or credits earned from another major). The coherent block needs to be approved by the HLS coordinator;
  3. a second major or a UNH dual degree;
  4. an associate's degree transferred in to UNH;
  5. some other combination of coursework with consent of the HLS program coordinator.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. Undergraduate students will develop individual academic plans with their professional advisor during the first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing 4
HLS 410 Introduction to Homeland Security 4
Discovery Course 4
Breadth Area Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
PSYC 402 Statistics in Psychology 4
HLS 415 Fundamentals of Corporate Security 4
HLS 455 Introduction to Cybersecurity 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
HLS 480 Professional Skills in Homeland Security 4
HLS 505 Political Violence and Terrorism 4
HLS 605
Disaster Research Methods
or Research Methods
or Research Methods in Psychology
4
Breadth Area Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
HLS 510 Fundamentals of Emergency Management 4
HLS 515 Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience 4
Breadth Area Course 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
HLS 520 Homeland Security Law and Policy 4
HLS 650 Topics in National Security Intelligence 4
Discovery Course 4
Breadth Area Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
HLS 580 Environmental and Human Security 4
HLS 770 Internship in Homeland Security 4
Discovery Course 4
Breadth Area Course 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
HLS 760 Strategic Planning and Decision Making 4
Breadth Area Course 4
Discovery Course 4
Breadth Area Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
HLS 790 Capstone in Homeland Security 4
Breadth Area Course 4
Breadth Area Course 4
Breadth Area Course 4
 Credits16
 Total Credits128
  • Conduct research and work collaboratively to deliver professional, written papers, presentations, and briefs.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary or emergent threats, challenges or issues including natural manmade and technological hazards.
  • Apply knowledge and tools gained throughout the HLS program to complete a capstone project.
  • Complete an internship in HLS (or a senior thesis in HLS).
  • Recognize the concepts of ethics and professionalism in the homeland security enterprise.