Homeland Security, Bachelor of Science (BS)
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in Homeland Security: Students will be able to identify complex homeland security issues; gather, analyze, and evaluate pertinent information; in order to make decisions to prevent, mitigate, resolve, and recover from man-made, technological, and natural disasters. UO 2
- Professional Proficiency in Homeland Security: Students will acquire the knowledge, skills, abilities, and current field-based best practices demanded by the homeland security profession. UO 5
- Law and Ethics in Homeland Security: Students will be able to recognize legal and ethical issues confronting homeland security professionals, apply and follow the appropriate laws, and recognize the consequences and impact of their actions on other stakeholders. UO 8
- Professionally Communicate in Homeland Security Contexts: Students will develop the skills and knowledge to communicate effectively in homeland security settings. This will, among other relevant things, involve learning how to communicate about how to protect infrastructure and key assets and develop intelligence products. This also entails the development and implementation of plans, particularly ones related to preventing, mitigating, and/or recovering from man-made, technological, and natural disasters. UO 5
Related Links
Homeland Security, BS Program Page
Curriculum Guide
GPA Requirement
Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
Summary*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 42 | |
| Other Basic Requirements | 0-3 | |
| Computer Competency | 0-3 | |
| Major Requirements | 60 | |
| Electives | 18 | |
* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.
Rock Studies 2 Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Integrated Inquiry | ||
| Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Physical Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Thematic Thread | ||
| Select 12 Credits 2 | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.
Basic Math Requirement
Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR | ||
| Beginning Algebra | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
Computer Competency
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR | ||
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution: | ||
| Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts | ||
| Computer Concepts | ||
| Introduction to Computing and Programming | ||
| Technology for Wellness | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT
Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation. Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career.
Major Requirements
- 30 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 30 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| CSS 210 | Physical Security 1 | 3 |
| CSS 300 | Personnel Security 1 | 3 |
| CSS 351 | Fraud 1 | 3 |
| CSS 352 | Law & Ethics in the Workplace 1 | 3 |
| CSS 354 | Risk Assessment and Fraud Prevention 1 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Major Core Courses | ||
| HSS 120 | Introduction to Homeland Security 1 | 3 |
| HSS 130 | Principles of Emergency Management 1 | 3 |
| HSS 210 | Fundamentals of Terrorism 1 | 3 |
| HSS 230 | Risk Analysis and Strategic Planning 1 | 3 |
| HSS 260 | Emergency Management Planning 1 | 3 |
| HSS 300 | Terrorist Organizations and Lone Wolves 1 | 3 |
| HSS 310 | Weapons of Mass Destruction 1 | 3 |
| HSS 320 | Protecting Infrastructure and Key Assets 1 | 3 |
| HSS 330 | Intelligence Operations 1 | 3 |
| HSS 340 | Intelligence for Homeland Security 1 | 3 |
| HSS 350 | Securing Virtual Infrastructure 1 | 3 |
| HSS 441 | Terrorism, Law and National Security 1 | 3 |
| HSS 460 | Capstone in Homeland Security 1 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 39 | |
| Major Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Experimental 1 | ||
or HSS 290 | Experimental | |
or HSS 390 | Experimental | |
| Workshop 1 | ||
or HSS 295 | Workshop | |
or HSS 395 | Workshop | |
or HSS 495 | Workshop | |
| Selected Topics 1 | ||
or HSS 298 | Selected Topics | |
or HSS 398 | Selected Topics | |
or HSS 498 | Selected Topics | |
| Managing Natural, Man-Made and Technological Disasters 1 | ||
| Social Dimensions of Disaster 1 | ||
| Research in Disasters and Emergency Management 1 | ||
| Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication 1 | ||
| Internship HS 1 | ||
| Independent Study 1 | ||
| Security Management 1 | ||
| Specialized Fraud Schemes 1 | ||
| Fraud Law and Report Writing 1 | ||
| Fraud Examination 1 | ||
| Corporate Security Law 1 | ||
| Corporate Security Investigation 1 | ||
| Advanced Military Skills 2 | ||
| Leadership Dimensions and Concepts 2 | ||
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA
- 2
Course counts for 50% of Major but not Major GPA
- 3
The number of language credits earned above will determine the number of credits needed in this section.
- 4
See adviser for guidance, also refer to your MyRock Audit
- *
Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
Co-curricular and Experiential Learning
Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:
- Internships
- Job Shadowing
- Security Studies Club
- Project to End Human Trafficking Club
- Security Studies Speaker’s Series
- Department of Homeland/Corporate Security Studies Field Trips and Spring Break Trips
Important Curriculum Guide Notes
This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.
PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions
HOMELAND SECURITY (BS) (51HS)
This program is effective as of Summer 2023
Revised 03.03.2023
UCC 02.28.2023
Recommended Four-Year Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| HSS 120 | Introduction to Homeland Security | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ESAP 101 | FYRST Seminar * | 1 |
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 3 | 3 |
| Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSS 130 | Principles of Emergency Management | 3 |
| HSS 210 | Fundamentals of Terrorism | 3 |
| CSS 210 | Physical Security | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HSS 230 | Risk Analysis and Strategic Planning | 3 |
| HSS 260 | Emergency Management Planning | 3 |
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Declare a Thematic Thread 2 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSS 352 | Law & Ethics in the Workplace | 3 |
| HSS 350 | Securing Virtual Infrastructure | 3 |
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Free Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSS 300 | Personnel Security | 3 |
| CSS 351 | Fraud | 3 |
| HSS 300 | Terrorist Organizations and Lone Wolves | 3 |
| HSS 320 | Protecting Infrastructure and Key Assets | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSS 310 | Weapons of Mass Destruction | 3 |
| HSS 330 | Intelligence Operations | 3 |
| CSS 354 | Risk Assessment and Fraud Prevention | 3 |
| Social Science Inquiry | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HSS 340 | Intelligence for Homeland Security | 3 |
| HSS 441 | Terrorism, Law and National Security | 3 |
| Major Elective | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSS 460 | Capstone in Homeland Security | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Major Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours** | 121 | |
- 1
- 2
Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.
- 3
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- *
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- HS Organizational Security Major requires 60 Credit Hours (36 Core + 9 General + 9 Culture + 6 Electives).
- The number of free electives will depend on Liberal Studies (LS) courses taken and/or Minor.
- The number of LS courses will depend on how much overlap there is between major courses and LS courses.
** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses. However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year.
Major Code: 51HS
Revised date: 04.14.2023