Program Overview

Master of Professional Studies in the Field of Homeland Security

Overview

The Master of Professional Studies in the Field of Homeland Security is designed to prepare the next generation of leaders to navigate the complexities of local, national, and global security. The program provides a comprehensive, full-field view of current and emerging threats, offering a cutting-edge graduate curriculum that examines national and international security policy and practices in the public and private sectors. Recognizing the evolving nature of the homeland security landscape, the program explores the impact of established and emerging threats, from terrorism and political violence to cybersecurity, AI, and other advanced technologies, preparing students to anticipate and respond to challenges at the forefront of national security.

Taught by our faculty of accomplished practitioners and veteran homeland security professionals, students learn the skills to lead and act strategically, work across agencies, and communicate complex security issues to diverse audiences. Through dynamic collaboration and teamwork, students engage with peers and experts to solve real-world problems, fostering an environment that mirrors the collaborative nature of modern security efforts. Ultimately, with a master’s degree in Homeland Security from GW, students can gain an enhanced understanding of security policies and the best practices necessary to lead confidently, helping their team or organization maintain preparedness and respond to evolving threats.

Admissions

• Admission deadlines:
  • Fall Priority Deadline - May 1
  • Fall Final Deadline - July 1
  • Spring Priority Deadline - October 15
  • Spring Final Deadline - November 30
• Recommendations required:
  • Two recommendation letters from professional and/or academic references, preferably one from a current supervisor. Recommendation letters must provide information addressing the applicant’s professional abilities, personal qualities, career potential and potential to be successful in the degree program.
• Prior academic records:
  • Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission.
  • Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be accompanied by an official transcript evaluation from an accredited independent evaluating agency. Please be sure you request a detailed, course-by-course evaluation that includes all course titles, credit hours, grade-point average (GPA), United States degree equivalency, and date of degree conferral.
• Statement of purpose:
  • You must also submit a 250-500 word essay on your purpose for applying to study at GW. Please describe your relevant qualifications and academic objectives and address the specific program you are applying to as well as any concentration, if applicable. This is an opportunity to expand upon or address anything not covered in the rest of your application.
• Additional requirements:
  • Have a minimum of two years of professional experience in homeland security including, but not limited to, public safety, intelligence, federal/state/local/tribal law enforcement, related government contractors, information technology, or critical infrastructure; or a bachelor's degree in a related field and are looking to pursue a career in homeland security.
• International applicants only:
  • Please review International Applicant Information for details on required documents, earlier deadlines for applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 from GW, and English language requirements.

Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 36 credits in required courses.

• Course List Code | Title | Credits
  • Required
    • PSHS 6240 | Political Violence and Terrorism |
    • PSHS 6241 | Globalization of Threats and International Security |
    • PSHS 6242 | Security and Civil Liberties |
    • PSHS 6243 | Intelligence and Strategic Analysis |
    • PSHS 6244 | Information Systems Protection |
    • PSHS 6250 | Strategic Planning and Budgeting |
    • PSHS 6251 | Inter-Agency Cooperation |
    • PSHS 6252 | Emergency Management and Crisis Communication |
    • PSHS 6253 | Managing the Politics of Leadership |
    • PSHS 6261 | Infrastructure Security and Protection |
    • PSHS 6262 | Emerging Technology in Threat Detection and Response |
    • PSHS 6270 | Capstone Project |
  • With program director approval, one of the following courses can be taken in lieu of PSHS 6270:
    • PSHS 6271 | Research in Homeland Security |
    • PSHS 6272 | Internship in Homeland Security |

Courses

Explanation of Course Numbers

• Courses in the 1000s are primarily introductory undergraduate courses
• Those in the 2000s to 4000s are upper-level undergraduate courses that can also be taken for graduate credit with permission and additional work assigned
• Those in the 6000s and 8000s are for master’s, doctoral, and professional-level students
• The 6000s are open to advanced undergraduate students with approval of the instructor and the dean or advising office

Course Descriptions

• PSHS 3150W. Transnational Threats and Security. 4 Credits.
  • Understanding global threats to U.S. national security interests and potential responses. How criminal groups, terror organizations, and gangs operate on a global scale. Questions long-held legal norms such as the rule of law and sovereignty. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security program. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement.
• PSHS 3151. Combating Domestic Terrorism. 4 Credits.
  • Provides an in-depth look at methods used to conduct attacks within U.S. borders. Topics include lone wolf, directed and coordinated attacks. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 3152. Cyber Terrorism. 4 Credits.
  • Analysis of tactics used effectively by cyber terrorists via the internet and social media platforms to spread propaganda and radicalize and recruit individuals to fight for their causes. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 3160. Crisis and Emergency Planning. 4 Credits.
  • Presents an all-hazards approach to crisis and emergency planning. Starting with the strategic assessment of common man-made and natural hazards, students examine planning strategies in the urban environment, the incident command system (ICS), and industry standards for response and recovery operations. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 3161. Intelligence Data Analysis. 4 Credits.
  • The intelligence cycle and explains many of the issues relating to the use of criminal intelligence for the purpose of securing the homeland. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 3162. Crime Scene Investigation. 4 Credits.
  • Basic considerations, guidelines, and procedures that help investigating police officers avoid oversight, ensure thoroughness of the search, and comply with legal and scientific principles in the identification, collection, and transportation of physical evidence. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 3170. Infrastructure Protection. 4 Credits.
  • Specific security measures that may be used to protect critical infrastructure, public facilities, public gatherings, and open spaces. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 3171. Introduction to Forensic Science. 4 Credits.
  • Forensics and its role in criminal investigations. Physical evidence collection and preservation techniques; how different disciplines intersect with crime investigations; and courtroom procedures related to the legal use of scientific evidence. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 3172. Computer Crime Investigation. 4 Credits.
  • Introduction to the investigation of computer-based crimes and its importance to the law enforcement community on a transnational level. Review of the history of computer crime, associated terminology, and the types of crimes committed in cyberspace. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security and BPS in police and security studies programs.
• PSHS 4180. Security Threat Assessments. 4 Credits.
  • Identification of security vulnerabilities of specific critical infrastructure. Identifying international, domestic, and cyber threats, analyzing intelligence data, and applying this information to a security threat assessment. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 4180W. Security Threat Assessments. 4 Credits.
  • Detailed analysis of potential threats, impacts of crime and terrorism, and recommended countermeasures. Security assessment of a specific site/building by examining asset value, threats and hazards, vulnerabilities, and mitigation measures. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement.
• PSHS 4181. Incident Management. 4 Credits.
  • Introduction to basic concepts in management of critical incidents; its historical birth in wildland firefighting and its rebirth and reformation in the aftermath of 9/11 in Homeland Security Presidential Directive #5 (HSPD-5). Successes and failures in incident management and their implications in shaping future processes and procedures. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security and BPS in police and security studies programs.
• PSHS 4182. Emergency Public Health Issues. 4 Credits.
  • Comprehensive introduction to public health emergency preparedness and response, including bioterrorism threats and events. Recognizing, responding to, and managing natural and unnatural public health emergencies. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 4190. Capstone Project. 4 Credits.
  • Application of the knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired in the BPS in homeland security program. Conduct case study involving a high-profile criminal case, perform independent analysis of the case, and prepare a written report and presentation. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security and BPS in police and security studies programs.
• PSHS 4191. Ethical Dilemmas in Policing. 4 Credits.
  • Issues related to use of force, misconduct, and corruption. The historical foundation of ethics and moral philosophy. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security and BPS police and security studies programs.
• PSHS 4192. Media, Public Relations, and Crisis Communication. 4 Credits.
  • Best practices for interacting with the media and other key stakeholders, spokesperson techniques for communicating during a crisis situation, and strategic messaging. Restricted to students in the BPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 4199. Special Topics in Homeland Security. 4 Credits.
  • Current topics and trends in homeland security. Topics vary by semester. Can be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details.
• PSHS 6240. Political Violence and Terrorism. 3 Credits.
  • The evolution of terrorism and politically motivated violence; causes and origins in regional, national, and international terrorist and insurgent groups and so-called terrorist states; trends in terrorist modus operandi, including asymmetric attacks; formulating effective counterterrorist strategies. Restricted to students in the MPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 6241. Globalization of Threats and International Security. 3 Credits.
  • The intersection of globalization and national and international security; how globalization may create new threats while amplifying existing threats; the relationship of specific forms of globalized threat to globalization; responses of states and non-state actors to such threats; the role of international organizations. Restricted to students in the MPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 6242. Security and Civil Liberties. 3 Credits.
  • Examination of U.S. government activities designed to protect the security of American citizens while balancing those interests against citizens’ civil liberties; limitations placed on government activities by the First and Fourth Amendments of the Constitution; complexities associated with the characterization of criminals and terrorists. Restricted to students in the MPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 6243. Intelligence and Strategic Analysis. 3 Credits.
  • The structure and components of the national intelligence community and law enforcement communities; international intelligence comparison; analysis of intelligence policies and strategies at the international, national, and regional levels. Restricted to students in the MPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 6244. Information Systems Protection. 3 Credits.
  • Exploration of the major areas of information security including risk management, cybercrime, cyberconflict, and the technologies involved in both cyberattacks and information systems protection; creating, implementing, and maintaining an information security program; root causes of insecurity in information systems.
• PSHS 6250. Strategic Planning and Budgeting. 3 Credits.
  • The adaptation of strategic planning and performance measures beyond budgeting by government agencies dealing with long-term security issues; integrative approach to strategic planning and management, focusing on the implementation, evaluation, and oversight of strategy and policy; development of budgets, accountability plans, and risk management to ensure compliance with stated goals; analytical tools and techniques that inform organizational strategies and actions. Restricted to students in the MPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 6251. Inter-Agency Cooperation. 3 Credits.
  • In-depth study of interagency cooperation issues relevant to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s organizational structure; cooperative initiatives through mutual assistance agreements and regional, national, and international structures; technology interoperability, legal, and interorganizational challenges. Restricted to students in the MPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 6252. Emergency Management and Crisis Communication. 3 Credits.
  • The role of crisis communications in the overall management of emergency operations; critical communications tasks, functions, and operations of the emergency operations center, incident command, and associated emergency personnel; strategies and tactics to enhance and promote effective crisis communications among government emergency managers. Restricted to students in the MPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 6253. Managing the Politics of Leadership. 3 Credits.
  • The role of power and influence in organizations; complexity and challenges of developing political strategies and mobilizing the political support and resources needed to implement objectives. Restricted to students in the MPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 6254. Strategic Change Management. 3 Credits.
  • The challenges, techniques, burdens, and successes associated with initiating and implementing major change within organizations; the process of organizational change from multiple theoretical perspectives. Restricted to students in the MPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 6260. Methods of Analysis in Security. 3 Credits.
  • Methods and problems of data collection in security fields; analytical design, instrument utilization, sampling, and measurement; data analysis techniques. Restricted to students in the MPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 6261. Infrastructure Security and Protection. 3 Credits.
  • Critical infrastructure sectors, the risk environment, networks and partnerships to facilitate information sharing, and measures and countermeasures to secure and protect critical infrastructure. Restricted to students in the MPS in homeland security program.
• PSHS 6262. Emerging Technology in Threat Detection and Response. 3 Credits.
  • Emerging technologies in homeland security, including evaluating and developing strategies for threat detection and response in a rapidly changing environment.
• PSHS 6263. Advanced Topics in Homeland Security. 3 Credits.
  • Advanced Topics in Homeland Security. Topics vary by semester.
• PSHS 6270. Capstone Project. 3 Credits.
  • Students refine their conception of leadership and knowledge of the homeland security field. Participants experience leadership in action and enhance independent learning while working in both small and large group dynamics. Restricted to students enrolled in the PSHS cohort. Prerequisites: All the curriculum in the PSHS must be completed before registering for this course.
• PSHS 6271. Research in Homeland Security. 3 Credits.
  • Explores research trends and methods in homeland security with a focus on how research informs policy and strategic decision making.
• PSHS 6272. Internship in Homeland Security. 3 Credits.
  • Supports an internship experience in a homeland security role, including analysis of real-world strategies and policies related to threat prevention and response and professional development.