Homeland Security and other related fields are growing and the need for credentialed and experienced professionals is growing with it. Many colleges offer accredited online associate degree programs that train and prepare students for employment in this field. The following are the best online associate degree in homeland security. They have been ranked using a matrix that includes cost, faculty to student ratio, and graduation rate. The lower the cost and faculty to student ratio, the higher the school is ranked. The higher the graduation rate, the higher the school is ranked.
1. White Mountains Community College
An Associate degree in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security from White Mountains Community College prepares students for careers in a variety of fields such as law enforcement, forensics, corrections, and more. This particular degree focuses on the cause of crime and methods of controlling it through use of the criminal justice system, as well as the broader field of homeland security. Studetsn will learn about terrorism, boht domestic and international, the court system and corection systems. Many graduates either enter law enforcement ant various levels or transfer to a four year college to earn a bachelor’s degree.
At A Glance
- Location: Berlin, New Hampshire
- Tuition: $7,090 (Resident) $15,340 (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 7 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 40.4%
2. Central Wyoming University
At Central Wyoming University students can earn an associate degree in Homeland Security. Within this program students gain a comprehensive overview of the Department of Homeland Security, its various agencies, laws, authorities, and actions. Coursework will include both domestic and international terrorism. Students will also gain an understanding of biological, agricultural, and cyber terrorism. WIthin this scope they learn how to prevent it, how to manage disasters shoudl they occur and how to decrease the United States vulnerability to terrorism as a whole.
At A Glance
- Location: Riverton, Wyoming
- Tuition: $4,200 (Resident) $10,140 (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 16 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 30.4%
3. Keiser University
For students interested in a career in Homeland Security, Keiser University offers a comprehensive online Associate Degree majoring in Homeland Security. In this program students learn about the major components of the Homeland Security Department including hazardous matierials, acts of terrorism, response and recovery actions, and laws surrounding homeland security. Students will be able to communicate effectively through both written and oral formats. Studetsn will learn about both domestic and international terrorism. Graduates are able to find employment working in various agencies associated with Homeland Security.
At A Glance
- Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Tuition: $21,008
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 14 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 49.9%
4. Eastern Kentucky University
If protecting life and property is a personal desire you have then a career in homeland security might be the right path for you. Eastern Kentucky University offers a wide array of opportunities to earn degrees in this and related fields of study as a leader in security management and disaster response. Students can earn an associate degree in homeland security and if they choose to, they can enroll in a bachelors program and continue their study. Students learn how to prepare for, manage and recover from both natural and man-made disasters, protect infrastructure, provide counter-terrorism intelligence, and aid law enforcement in their duties.
At A Glance
- Location: Richmond, Kentucky
- Tuition: $9,876 (Resident) $19,948 (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 15 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 39.9%
5. Central Texas College
The associate degree program at Central Texas College in homeland security and emergency management is designed for those either already employed in an emergency response profession or those seeking to do so. This program will cover prevention and preparedness for natural disasters and man-made disasters alike. Students will learn how to coordinate resources, implement strategic plans, provide and communicate intelligence to law enforcement and more. Graduates find careers in local, state, and federal agencies that assist with homeland security at multiple levels as well as in private sectors.
At A Glance
- Location: Killeen, Texas
- Tuition: $3,390 (Resident) $7,050 (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 17 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 4.7%
6. Campbell University
At Campbell University students learn in small classes form expert faculty, including online courses. The Associate Degree in Homeland Security available online is no different, students participate in small classes and are prepared for careers in a variety of areas within the field of Homeland Security. Students learn form a broad range of subjects such as emergency management, infrastructure, homeland security, intelligence, terrorism, and humanities and social science. Careers are varied from local, state, and federal government as well as private agencies.
At A Glance
- Location: Buies Creek, North Carolina
- Tuition: $34,630
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 16 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 57%
7. Georgia Military College
The need for trained and knowledgeable individuals within the field of homeland security has grown over the past two decades and continues to grow. Georgia Military College offers an online Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree with a major in Homeland Security. Within this degree program students learn a variety of topics form emergency management to terrorism studies, to intelligence and coutner intelligence. Graduates are prepared to transfer to a four year college to advance their knowledge and opportunities for careers in both the public and private sectors of homeland security.
At A Glance
- Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
- Tuition: $6,525
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 20 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 25.2%
8. University of Maine at Fort Kent
The University of Maine at Fort Kent provides an online associate of arts degree with a concentration in emergency management and homeland security. This is a comprehensive liberal arts program that provides students with a liberal arts foundation and then courses specifically in emergency management, public administration and public safety. This degree program acts as a springboard for those seeking to transfer to a four year college to earn an advanced degree or those seeking to enter law enforcement at the local, state or federal level.
At A Glance
- Location: Fort Kent, Maine
- Tuition: $8,295 (Resident) $12,585 (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 15 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 38%
9. Barton Community College
The Associate in Applied Science in Emergency Management at Barton Community College is designed for individuals that are seeking a career in emergency management or for those already employed in that field that are needing added training and certification within their field. This program includes courses in emergency training, terrorism, emergency planning, hazardous waste operations and more. Graduates can either transfer to a four year college and earn an advanced degree or enter the workforce in local, state or federal law enforcement and emergency planning fields.
At A Glance
- Location: Great Bend, Kansas
- Tuition: $3,648 (Resident) $4,288 (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 20 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 2%
10. Trident Technical College
If protecting people and property is what you want to spend your career doing, then a career in homeland security is right for you. Trident Technical College offers an associate degree in homeland security management that trains students in areas of communication and critical thinking skills as they learn about domestic and international terrosrtism, infrastructure protection, strategic planning, intelligence operations and more. Graduates often work within local, state, or federal government agencies as they protect and prevent attacks on people, property, and infrastructure.
At A Glance
- Location: Charleston, South Carolina
- Tuition: $5,143 (Resident) $8,690 (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 20 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 21.8%
11. Lamar Institute of Technology
At Lamar Institute of Technology students enrolled in the associate of applied science degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security will learn about the processes of how to respond to both natural and man-made disasters. This program will build on general education adn then provide major coursework in emergency management, terrorism, and homeland security. Graduates can find employment in entry level positions or transfer to a four year college to advance their knowledge and degree. This degree is also beneficial for those in the service sectors of communities.
At A Glance
- Location: Beaumont, Texas
- Tuition: $3,602 (Resident) $13,730 (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 17 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 21%
12. Coastline College
Coastline College offers three areas of specialization in associate degrees in homeland security. The first is emergency management homeland security with an emphasis in criminal justice. The second is an associate degree in just emergency management and homeland security, the last is homeland security, TSA certification. Coursework for all three will cover general edcuaiton and basic emergency management and terrorism. Students will learn how to handle hazardous materials and identify them in all three options. Specific courses will be tailored to the degree option chosen form there.
At A Glance
- Location: Fountain Valley, California
- Tuition: $1,150 (Resident) $6,670 (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 36 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 12.4%
13. St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College offers multiple paths for those desiring to work in homeland security and emergency management. Students can begin with an associate degree and if they desire to earn a bachelros or higher they can enroll in those programs upon completing their associate degree. As part of the AS program students will earn their Homeland Security certificate and Emergency Administration and Management Certificate. Students will have the proper credentials to be employed in disaster preparedness and recovery at the local, state, and federal levels.
At A Glance
- Location: Petersburg, Florida
- Tuition: $2,682 (Resident) $9,286 (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 22 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 16%
14. Hawaii Pacific University
For anyone seeking a career in local, state or federal law enforcement, a start in Homeland Security is a wise first step to reaching that goal. Hawaii Pacific University offers a comprehensive online Associate degree with a major in Homeland Security that equips students with the knowledge and skills for a profession in this field. Students will gain an overview of political science, criminal justice and history as a foundation to their education. Courses induce general education courses as well as major specific courses such as Disaster Preparedness, Terrorism, Violence and Laws, cybersecurity and criminology.
At A Glance
- Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
- Tuition: $27,500
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 15 to 1
- Graduation Rate: 24%
Points Methodology
- Cost: Under $10K Entire Program Points: 5
- Between $10K and $15K Entire Program Points: 3
- Above $14K Entire Program Points: 1
- Faculty to Student Ratio: Below 10 to 1 Points: 5
- Between 10 and 20 to 1 Points: 3
- Above 20 to 1 Points: 1
- Graduation Rate: Above 35% Points: 5
- Between 25% and 35% Points: 3
- Below 25% Points: 1
