Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

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

 

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major Requirements60
Electives18

* 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

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42
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.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

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
Required
CSS 210Physical Security 13
CSS 300Personnel Security 13
CSS 351Fraud 13
CSS 352Law & Ethics in the Workplace 13
CSS 354Risk Assessment and Fraud Prevention 13
Subtotal15
Major Core Courses
HSS 120Introduction to Homeland Security 13
HSS 130Principles of Emergency Management 13
HSS 210Fundamentals of Terrorism 13
HSS 230Risk Analysis and Strategic Planning 13
HSS 260Emergency Management Planning 13
HSS 300Terrorist Organizations and Lone Wolves 13
HSS 310Weapons of Mass Destruction 13
HSS 320Protecting Infrastructure and Key Assets 13
HSS 330Intelligence Operations 13
HSS 340Intelligence for Homeland Security 13
HSS 350Securing Virtual Infrastructure 13
HSS 441Terrorism, Law and National Security 13
HSS 460Capstone in Homeland Security 13
Subtotal39
Major Electives
Select two of the following:6
Experimental 1
Experimental
Experimental
Workshop 1
Workshop
Workshop
Workshop
Selected Topics 1
Selected Topics
Selected Topics
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
Subtotal6
Total Hours60
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:

  1. Internships
  2. Job Shadowing
  3. Security Studies Club
  4. Project to End Human Trafficking Club
  5. Security Studies Speaker’s Series
  6. 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

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
HSS 120 Introduction to Homeland Security 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 3 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours16
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
CSS 300 Personnel Security 3
CSS 351 Fraud 3
HSS 300 Terrorist Organizations and Lone Wolves 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours12
Spring
HSS 310 Weapons of Mass Destruction 3
HSS 320 Protecting Infrastructure and Key Assets 3
HSS 330 Intelligence Operations 3
CSS 354 Risk Assessment and Fraud Prevention 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours18
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
 Hours15
Spring
HSS 460 Capstone in Homeland Security 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Major Elective 3
Elective 6
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121
1

The prerequisites for ENGL 205 are ENGL 102 & ENGL 104

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: 03.01.2024