BS in Homeland Security
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in homeland security from Wichita State provides students with a foundation in security combined with specialized learning in emergency management, terrorism studies or cybersecurity. This four-year program also offers a completely online option. Graduates are well prepared for careers in the security industry at the operational, management and policy levels.
Program Requirements
A minimum total of 120 credit hours is required for the BS in homeland security and includes at least 36 credit hours (33 credit hours of core courses and 3 credit hours of electives) in the major (but not more than 50 credit hours will count toward the BS degree) that must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.000. A minimum grade of a 2.000 must be achieved in all homeland security core and homeland security elective courses. In addition to meeting the requirements of the WSU General Education Program and the requirements of Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (including the world language requirement of 12 credit hours or SPAN 212 Spanish for Law Enforcement - 5 credit hours), students in the BS in homeland security must take the below classes, which includes the additional requirement of ENGL 210 and the 3 credit hours of electives. Students may take 14 additional credit hours beyond the 36 credit hours required for the major (for a total of 50 credit hours).
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Select courses to meet General Education requirements 1 | 34-35 | |
| College Requirements | ||
| Select courses to complete all LAS Competency Areas 1 | 24 | |
| Core Courses for Major | ||
| HLS 190 | Introduction to Homeland Security | 3 |
| HLS 310 | Emergency Management | 3 |
| HLS 312 | Risk Assessment | 3 |
| HLS 320 | Border Security | 3 |
| HLS 330 | Legal Issues in Homeland Security | 3 |
| HLS 401 | Cyber Security | 3 |
| HLS 403 | Physical Security | 3 |
| HLS 405 | Intelligence Process | 3 |
| CJ 407 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| HLS 420 | Terrorism | 3 |
| HLS 450 | Homeland Security Capstone | 3 |
| Major Electives | ||
| Select 3 credit hours from the following | 3 | |
| Cybercrime | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Immigration Policy and Politics | ||
| The History of U.S. Homeland Security | ||
| Jihadist Terrorism | ||
| Insider Threat: Identification, Mitigation, Deterrence and Prevention | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Criminal Procedure | ||
| Special Investigations | ||
| Criminal Evidence: Mock Trials | ||
| Crime and Transportation | ||
| Profiling | ||
| Aspects of Interview and Interrogation Techniques | ||
| Digital Investigations | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| ENGL 210 | Composition: Business, Professional and Technical Writing | 3 |
| SPAN 212 | Spanish for Law Enforcement | 5 |
| In lieu of SPAN 212, students may take another world language through 204. | ||
| Open Electives | ||
| Select enough electives to reach 120 credit hours | 17-18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Required major courses may also count towards General Education and/or LAS Competencies. Students will need to select additional electives to reach 120 credit hours required for graduation with assistance from an advisor.
Applied Learning
Students in the BS in homeland security program are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate from the program. The requirement can be met by successfully completing HLS 450 Homeland Security Capstone.