Prepare to Protect, Serve, and Respond
Homeland security and emergency management focuses on protecting the country and responding to – and recovering from – man-made and natural disasters. Our program is extraordinarily unique because it combines two important areas of study into one. This model is what employers are looking for.
We are cross-training students to provide you with a well-rounded picture of what is going on in the world today. We'll instill in you the skills to respond appropriately to these challenges and the ability to navigate complex issues. You can choose to focus your degree in either homeland security or emergency management, or complete both tracks.
In the homeland security track, you'll prepare for careers at the federal, state, or local level by:
- Exploring complex issues of immigration and border security
- Becoming knowledgeable about potential threats to the nation's critical infrastructure
- Studying transportation security and weapons of mass destruction
- Learning to respond to threats of terrorism
In the emergency management track, you will learn to manage and coordinate the multi-agency response to and recovery from man-made and natural disasters by:
- Mastering the tools and methods involved in emergency management
- Learning the principles of fire science technology
- Exploring concepts in hazard risk management, hazard mapping, and modeling
Create Your Own Path
Our program includes 17 free electives intentionally built into the program that enable you to further your specialization in either homeland security or emergency management. There are also several new courses being introduced, such as our maritime security course, allowing you to take courses that other colleges and universities simply aren't offering.
You can add to your experience by minoring in disciplines such as criminal justice or fire science, or prepare to pursue a master's degree in national security or emergency management.
We also offer outstanding internship opportunities for our students. As just one example of many, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a six-week summer internship in which our students can earn $25 per hour as a disaster assistance employee. Some of the responsibilities of this position include follow-up and relief efforts and assisting with strategy in the aftermath of disasters such as fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
Nearly 80 percent of federal employees work for the Department of Homeland Security, and job opportunities are projected to increase each of the next ten years. Potential careers are available in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Homeland Security Investigations, the Coast Guard, FEMA, local and state governments, and the private sector. In fact, almost every major corporation in the United States has an emergency management office. The possibilities are endless.
Fully Online Option
Our bachelor's degree can help position you for a leadership role, while helping you plan for the protection and support of our country. In addition to our on-ground program in West Haven, CT, we also offer a fully online option.
- 100% online. Classes are completely on your schedule.
- One course per term. Most courses are offered in our 6-8 week format, so you can take one course per mini-term for maximum work-life balance.
- On your schedule. Our online courses are asynchronous, which means you can complete coursework when it's convenient for you. You have deadlines, but not scheduled class times.
Envision Your Future
The information below is designed to show the many possible careers you could pursue with your major. The research is provided by Encoura, the leading research and advisory firm focused exclusively on higher education. It includes median national salaries and industry growth projections over the next decade. Click here to view the full report.
$116K
Personal Services Managers
7% Growth 2021-2030
$104K
Information Security Analysts
24% Growth 2021-2030
$93K
First-Line Police/Detective Supervisors
6% Growth 2021-2030
Selected Courses and Programs
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Emergency Scene Operations
The responsibilities and operating modes of officers commanding fire department units, including engine, ladder, and rescue companies. A basic study of the Incident Command System and its application. Initial evaluation of the problems confronting first responding units. Outline of particular problems encountered in various types of occupancies, buildings, and situations. Stress on safety of the operating forces as well as of the public. Standpipe and sprinkler system utilization.
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Scientific Methods in National Security
Introduction to the use of scientific methods and logic in the field of national security. Topics will include science and the scientific approach to problem solving, the logic of causal inference, problem and hypothesis formulation, the use of experimental designs, laboratory methods, survey research methods, and measurement issues in national security.
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Infrastructure Protection
This course will examine the 16 critical infrastructures in the U.S. Those sectors involving networks are identified and network vulnerabilities are discussed. Bok's sand pile and its application to critical infrastructure is explored. As most of the critical infrastructure is privately owned, the roles and responsibilities of federal, state, local, and tribal governments in identifying vulnerabilities to critical infrastructure and protecting these critical infrastructures against man-made actions and natural disasters is discussed. Federal policy on critical infrastructure (PPD-21) is reviewed.
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Transportation Security
This course examines U.S. transportation security in the aviation, maritime, rail, and trucking sectors, and vulnerabilities in each mode of transportation. International transportation security issues are also examined. Event such as the September 11, 2001, commercial aircraft hijackings, the 2004 Madrid train bombings, and the July 7, 2005, train and bus bombings in England are examined in depth. Tabletop exercises in each transportation field will give students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of security and response in each sector.
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Full List of Courses and Learning Outcomes for Homeland Security & Emergency Management
The University of New Haven offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. To view the complete list of courses you'll take while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security & Emergency Management, check out the Academic Catalog:
Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.
Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.
Charger Advantage
Get an inside look at what differentiates the University of New Haven and how your experiences as a student will prepare you for success.
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Career Development
Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development
All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.
From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.
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Upcoming Events
Various Dates
- Information Sessions and Campus Tours 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
Saturday, June 10
- Undergraduate Open House 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Next Steps
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Admission Requirements
Whether you're still in high school or are transferring from another college, we offer full- and part-time opportunities for undergraduates from inside the U.S. and abroad. The admission process can begin as early as the end of your high school junior year.
The Application Process -
Financial Aid Opportunities
We offer a comprehensive financial aid program, with students receiving assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, and part-time employment. Funds are available from federal and state governments, private sponsors, and from university resources. More than 85 percent of the University's full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance.
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