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Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

On-Campus & Online

Options

120 Credit Hours

to Graduate

On-Campus: $5,010 Per Semester

Online: $443 Per Credit Hour

Free Books

for All Students

Make a Positive Impact in Your Community and Protect Your Country

Keep lives and property safe from man-made and natural threats

EKU’s homeland security degree was one of the first undergraduate programs of its kind in the United States. Our comprehensive program builds a solid understanding of homeland security management and disaster preparedness and has quickly become a respected national leader in the field. An innovative curriculum and expert faculty focus on the three pillars of homeland security: disaster management, intelligence studies, and security operations. The skills you gain will help you start a successful career in a profession that is essential to our nation’s safety and security.

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Career Outlook

Protective service occupations are expected to grow 2 percent from 2021 to 2031, which will result in about 72,600 new jobs.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

As a multidisciplinary degree, students have abundant career options in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Recent graduates have entered careers in law enforcement, private sector security, emergency management, the military service, the intelligence community, and others. It is also not uncommon for students to continue studies in graduate degree programs or law school following graduation.

Job Titles Include:

  • Law enforcement officer
  • Emergency manager
  • Corporate security officer
  • Intelligence analyst
  • Risk manager
  • Business continuity specialist
  • Counterterrorism analyst
  • Criminal investigator/detective
  • Critical infrastructure analyst

Graduates of EKU’s homeland security program have a competitive edge in the job market and are prepared to work in a number of private and public sectors.

Employers Include:

  • Marathon Petroleum-Marine Transportation
  • U.S. Military Services
  • U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • U.S. Transportation Security Administration
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Kentucky Division of Emergency Management
  • Kentucky State Police
  • Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
  • Lexington Police Department
  • Allied Universal
  • Baptist Health Security Services

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
  • Earn your Bachelor’s & Master’s in as few as 5 years with the Dual Degree Option
  • Complete professional courses that result in certificates of completion
  • Learn from award-winning faculty regarded as experts in their field
  • Excellent cooperative education experience and internship opportunities
  • Dynamic, supportive learning environment
  • Customize your degree with certificate options and minors based on your area of interest

3+2 Program

The 3+2 BS in Homeland Security program offers an accelerated pathway to complete the MS in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management degree through 3+2 enrollment.

Benefits:

  • Enroll in up to nine hours of graduate courses that will apply to both your undergraduate and graduate degree
  • Pay undergraduate tuition rates for the graduate coursework
  • Gain advanced knowledge in the desired subject area

Minors & Certificates

Select from a wide range of minors, allowing you to explore interests or make use of prior credits. Suggested minors available for this program include:

You can also choose from numerous undergraduate certificates in specialty areas that complement and enhance your major as you work toward your degree. Suggested certificates for this program include:

View the full list of certificates available for completion as you earn your degree.

Attend Online

Choosing an online program doesn’t mean completing your education alone. EKU Online strives to provide students with unparalleled staff and faculty access, rich engagement opportunities and every resource possible to succeed. We are committed to helping you find success in your coursework, as well as identifying and pursuing employment opportunities upon graduation. We are here to help you every step of the way.

Online students have access to:

  • Accelerated 8-week terms
  • Courses begin 6 times per year
  • No campus visits required
  • Personal advisors stay with you from application to graduation
  • Free online tutoring and career services assistance 

Curriculum & Enrollment

EKU’s homeland security curriculum prepares students for a variety of rewarding career options at the local, state, and national level. EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through course topics such as emergency management, physical security, critical infrastructure protection, risk analysis, homeland security technology, and disaster preparedness and response.

A minimum of 120 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Students may transfer up to 90 hours of credit from accredited institutions. Please note that a minimum of 30 credit hours in this degree program must be completed at Eastern Kentucky University.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admission to EKU for appropriate articulation.

On-Campus Deadlines
TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
FallAugust 1August
SpringDecember 1January
SummerMay 1May
Online Deadlines
TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
Fall AJuly 5August
Fall BAugust 31October
Spring ANovember 30 January
Spring BJanuary 31March
Summer AApril 5May
Summer BMay 31June

All applicants must provide an application and evidence of appropriate scholastic achievement through prior educational experience.

Please note that certain degree programs have special admission requirements. Admission to the University does not mean automatic admission to all degree programs.

The completed application and all required supporting documentation must be received by the University no later than:

• August 1 for fall enrollment
• December 1 for spring enrollment
• May 1 for summer enrollment

To apply for undergraduate admission to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), submit an application at apply.eku.edu and submit any required materials electronically or by mail to:

Office of Admissions
Eastern Kentucky University
Whitlock Bldg. 112, CPO 54
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475-3154.

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to the college enrollment counselor for your preferred program.

professional photo of Jacinda Bertie-Cockerham

Jacinda Bertie-Cockerham

College Enrollment Counselor

859-622-6520
jacinda.bertie@eku.edu


Chris Adkins

Online Program Enrollment Advisor

859-622-7568
Christopher.Adkins@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment
JSMS Advising Information for Current Students

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Stories & Features

Jesse Valdez

EKU Safety Leadership and Management Student
The advisors, administrator, and instructors at EKU are compassionate, empathetic, and available to meet the educational needs of all students when necessary.

Ricky De La Cruz

EKU Safety, Security & Emergency Management Student
I really like the responsiveness of my assistant professors and really enjoy having to balance my schedule around family and the work week.

Matthew Harris

EKU Safety, Security & Emergency Management Graduate
I was an online student but I felt like I was truly part of the EKU family.

Quick Links

Upcoming Events

Halls Open

Residence Halls Open for the Spring 2025 semester. Front desks begin normal operating hours.
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Contact Information

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

521 Lancaster Ave
Stratton Building 245
Richmond, Ky. 40475

859-622-3565
Fax: 859-622-?
jus.dean@eku.edu

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