Homeland Security
Northeastern University’s Master of Arts in Homeland Security provides students with the skills necessary for the next generation of homeland security leaders in both the public and private sectors.
Part-Time
The Master in Arts in Homeland Security is designed for students who seek leadership roles in the ever-changing, challenging homeland security field. Our program helps students understand the importance of seeking solutions through a whole-of-government approach and partnerships with the private sector.
From global pandemics, to wildfires in California, hurricanes along the East Coast, and bombings at public events, it’s clear that America faces a number of threats to our national security each and every day. These threats and others require dedicated homeland security professionals to ensure we are all safe.
Our Master of Arts in Homeland Security focuses on providing the leadership skills, emergency planning and management tools, and verbal and written communication expertise to prepare our students to meet the challenges of an uncertain world. With critical and reflective thinking at the forefront of the curriculum, graduates are prepared to make timely, well-reasoned judgments to protect our way of life.
Whether you are considering a career in the homeland security field—or are looking to advance within your current role—a Northeastern University master’s degree in homeland security will help you to achieve your goals.
More Details
Unique Features
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Career-advancing degree: With hands-on and career-oriented coursework, the curriculum enables students to “learn it tonight, use it tomorrow.” Coursework is specifically designed to immediately provide the skills and knowledge desired in the industry.
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Tailor your degree to your career goals: Choose from one of four concentrations—Emergency Management; Organization and Infrastructure Continuity; Geospatial Services; or Port Security.
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Flexible learning formats: With courses offered 100% online, on campus in Boston or Charlotte, or in a hybrid format, you can complete your degree without putting your life on hold.
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Network and learn from expert security professionals:Our faculty are practicing, recognized experts with years of experience in national and homeland security. They provide students with valuable insights from their careers. Faculty include former FBI Supervisory Special Agents, CIA analysts, and experts who have advised presidents, Congress, and key organizations.
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Northeastern’s commitment to advancing innovations in security: Security is one of Northeastern’s three research and programmatic focal areas. Our university-wide commitment to guide and advance innovation in security, intelligence, and resilience is bolstered by our dedicated research centers and institutes focused on security issues.
Program Objectives
- Provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead the next generation of homeland security in both the public and private sectors
- Provide the leadership skills, emergency planning and management tools, and verbal and written communication expertise to prepare our students to meet the challenges of an uncertain world
- Provide a whole-of-government understanding of homeland security with an emphasis on the importance of partnering with the private sector in a global context
- Focus on exposing students to a strategic-level understanding of the wholistic approach in the homeland security field and the private sector’s integral role
Career Outlook
- Opportunities for employment in security positions are diverse, spanning both government and private industry. They include:
- Emergency management (at the federal, state, and local levels)
- Industries such as banking, energy, manufacturing, and transportation/shipping
- Ports (maritime and aviation)
- Past graduates of the program have gone on to work for:
- U.S. Secret Service
- Department of Homeland Security
- FBI
- The U.S. Department of State
- Naval Criminal Investigative Services
- Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
- Raytheon
Testimonials
Nick Perrotta, 2020 MA HLS Graduate
U.S. Army Major Eric DiNoto, Program Alum
John Terpinas, former FBI agent, Professor of the Practice and lead faculty
Jack McDevitt, PhD, Faculty Director
Christine Doucette, 2019 MA HLS Graduate
Looking for something different?
Program Costs
Requirements
- Online application
- Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): Identify your educational goals and expectations of the program. Please be aware that Northeastern University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose.
- Professional resumé
- Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities such as a faculty member, colleague, or mentor, preferably one from your current employer
- English language proficiency proof. Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
- Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
- TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, or NU Global Exam scores
Admissions Dates
Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend following the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term.
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: September 14, 2020) | July 13, 2020 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: September 14, 2020) | August 10, 2020 |
| Domestic application complete (first half start: September 14, 2020) | September 4, 2020 |
| Domestic application complete (second half start: October 26, 2020) | October 16, 2020 |
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: January 11, 2021) | November 2, 2020 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: January 11, 2021) | December 7, 2020 |
| Domestic application complete (first half start: January 11, 2021) | January 1, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (second half start: February 22, 2021) | February 12, 2021 |
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: April 12, 2021) | February 8, 2021 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: April 12, 2021) | March 8, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (first half start: April 12, 2021) | April 2, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (second half start: May 24, 2021) | May 14, 2021 |
| Recommended Admissions Deadline: | |
|---|---|
| International out-of-country application complete (start date: July 12, 2021) | May 10, 2021 |
| International in-country application complete (start date: July 12, 2021) | June 7, 2021 |
| Domestic application complete (start date: July 12, 2021) | July 2, 2021 |
General Requirements
Required Courses
Capstone/Thesis
Complete one of the following:
Please Note: Students who are interested in taking HLS 7990 need to first take GST 6109 Basic Field Research.
Elective
Complete one of the following:
Concentrations
Choose one from the following:
Students selecting this concentration are only required to take 4 quarter hours of electives:
Note: HLS 6100 and HLS 6120 are recommended to be taken concurrently.
Please note: This curriculum is for marketing purposes only and is subject to change. Official curriculum can be found within the course catalog.
Northeastern's signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.
Our Faculty
Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and fields ranging from finance to education to biomedical science to management to the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.
By enrolling in Northeastern, you gain access to a network of more than 255,000 alumni and 3,350+ employer partners, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global nongovernmental organizations. Our current students and faculty across strategically located regional locations further foster a lifelong, global community of learning and mentoring.
Below is a look at where our Political Science and Security alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.
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Where They Work
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Fidelity Investments
- State Street
- US Army
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
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What They Do
- Business Development
- Education
- Community and Social Services
- Legal
- Operations
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What They're Skilled At
- Public Speaking
- Research
- Leadership
- Microsoft Office
- Management
Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.