Program Overview

Homeland Security Major (B.S.)

The University of New Hampshire's 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 applied projects and mentored research that together empower students to manage programs and to lead people.

Description

Available on both Durham and Manchester campuses, the UNH Homeland Security program 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 minor and study abroad experience. Students transferring with an associate's degree automatically satisfy the breadth requirement.

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

Major Requirements

All courses within the major 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 410: Introduction to Homeland Security (4 credits)
• HLS 415: Fundamentals of Corporate Security (4 credits)
• HLS 455: Introduction to Cybersecurity (4 credits)
• HLS 480: Professional Skills in Homeland Security (4 credits)
• HLS 505: Political Violence and Terrorism (4 credits)
• HLS 510: Fundamentals of Emergency Management (4 credits)
• HLS 515: Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (4 credits)
• HLS 520: Homeland Security Law and Policy (4 credits)
• HLS 580: Environmental and Human Security (4 credits)
• HLS 605: Disaster Research Methods (4 credits)
  • or JUST 501: Research Methods
  • or PSYC 502: Research Methods in Psychology
• HLS 650: Topics in National Security Intelligence (4 credits)
• HLS 760: Strategic Planning and Decision Making (4 credits)
• HLS 770: Internship in Homeland Security (4 credits)
  • or HLS 799: Senior Thesis in Homeland Security
• HLS 790: Capstone in Homeland Security (4 credits) Total Credits: 56

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)
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

Sample Course Sequence

First Year

• Fall:
  • ENGL 401: First-Year Writing (4 credits)
  • HLS 410: Introduction to Homeland Security (4 credits)
  • Discovery Course (4 credits)
  • Breadth Area Course (4 credits)
• Spring:
  • PSYC 402: Statistics in Psychology (4 credits)
  • HLS 415: Fundamentals of Corporate Security (4 credits)
  • HLS 455: Introduction to Cybersecurity (4 credits)
  • Discovery Course (4 credits)

Second Year

• Fall:
  • HLS 480: Professional Skills in Homeland Security (4 credits)
  • HLS 505: Political Violence and Terrorism (4 credits)
  • HLS 605 or JUST 501 or PSYC 502: Disaster Research Methods or Research Methods or Research Methods in Psychology (4 credits)
  • Breadth Area Course (4 credits)
• Spring:
  • HLS 510: Fundamentals of Emergency Management (4 credits)
  • HLS 515: Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (4 credits)
  • Breadth Area Course (4 credits)
  • Discovery Course (4 credits)

Third Year

• Fall:
  • HLS 520: Homeland Security Law and Policy (4 credits)
  • HLS 650: Topics in National Security Intelligence (4 credits)
  • Discovery Course (4 credits)
  • Breadth Area Course (4 credits)
• Spring:
  • HLS 580: Environmental and Human Security (4 credits)
  • HLS 770: Internship in Homeland Security (4 credits)
  • Discovery Course (4 credits)
  • Breadth Area Course (4 credits)

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • HLS 760: Strategic Planning and Decision Making (4 credits)
  • Breadth Area Course (4 credits)
  • Discovery Course (4 credits)
  • Breadth Area Course (4 credits)
• Spring:
  • HLS 790: Capstone in Homeland Security (4 credits)
  • Breadth Area Course (4 credits)
  • Breadth Area Course (4 credits)
  • Breadth Area Course (4 credits)

Program Learning Outcomes

• 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.