Dean College students and professor in criminology class, discussing a degree in homeland security.

Do you want to make the United States a safer place? If so, then a degree in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security might be a great option for you. These degrees include everything that you’ll need for a career working for the state, local, or even national government. Plus, many private companies want someone with homeland security training as well, helping them protect their employees from potential dangers.

What does it take to get a degree with a homeland security concentration? Here are some of the courses that you’ll need.

Learn More About the Criminal Mind

Of course, it’s crucial to learn more about criminals and why they do what they do. Courses like introduction to criminal justice start things off with the basics, and then you’ll move on to weightier options like white collar crime, criminology theories of crime, and law enforcement and society. These will give you the background that you need to be a successful homeland security officer.

Cover Emergency Management in Depth

Another important topic, emergency management, transcends homeland security and can set you up for a job working for the government, a non-profit organization, or a private company. After all, every business, government building, non-profit organization, and more should have an emergency management plan in place (just in case something should happen).

Thanks to courses like security and risk management, emergency management planning, vulnerabilities and threats, security systems planning and operations, and crisis and emergency response systems, you’ll be ready to plan ahead for any type of emergency, whether it’s weather-related or caused by a terrorist threat.

Take Standard Business Courses

On top of the specialty criminology and emergency management courses, there are some standard business classes required as well. These courses are designed to provide you with some useful background knowledge in economics, management, and data analysis. Combined, these classes will help you not only round out your education but also understand things like white collar crime, where data analysis and economics can come in handy.

Don’t Forget About an Internship

Hands-on learning is one of the best ways to get yourself situated for a full-time job after college. Not only will you gain plenty of skills that can’t be taught in a classroom, but you’ll also have the chance to see what it’s like to work in homeland security or a related field. This experience can also help you get to know the people working in the field, making for easier networking opportunities later on. This experience is invaluable, which is why it’s an essential part of a homeland security degree.

Get Your Degree in Homeland Security from Dean College

Are you thinking about getting a degree in criminal justice and homeland security so that you can start the career of your dreams? If so, then consider attending Dean College. We have both a four-year bachelor’s degree program and a two-year associate’s degree program, so you can choose the best path for your needs. Request more information, today!