Exciting Opportunities in Homeland Security

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Gas clouds blowing through city streets, lethal viruses swimming in water supplies, and exploding bridges are all credible scenarios for students of homeland security. The squeamish need not apply, but the strong-stomached will find an unprecedented demand for graduates with degrees in homeland security.

The Department of Homeland Security has budgeted more than $60 million for research in social and economic consequences of terrorism and crop and livestock epidemics, according to the department Web site. In response to economic incentives and student demands, many universities and degree programs have developed specialized degrees in homeland security.

Degrees in Homeland Security - Gear Up for the Long-Haul

In the wake of September 11, 2001, lawmakers voted to create the United States Department of Homeland Security in order to protect U.S. borders, coastlines, ports, air-space, and cyber-space. The department has sured-up several weak points in homeland defense, but it has a long way to go before stopping all the gaps, said Department Secretary Michael Chertoff.

"This is a marathon, not a sprint," he said in a speech about the evolving nature of the department on March 16 at George Washington University.

Political developments, new technologies, new defense and emergency strategies, and new terrorism laws have transformed the field in the last four years. As a graduate with a homeland security degree you'll join the next generation of specialists to ensure the safety of American citizens.

Subjects You Might Study for a Degree in Homeland Security

Because the Department of Homeland Security consolidates information from 22 government agencies, the degree requires you to study a wide array of subjects. Most homeland security programs will require the following:

Political Science: You'll have to understand U.S. foreign policy and study international political ideas and governments in order to understand threats to national security.
Natural Science: Chemistry, biology, and physics help you understand the mechanics of weapons of mass destruction, detection tools, and preventative technology.
Cultural Studies: In order to predict the tactics and strategies of international terror organizations, you'll have to understand their cultural roots. Conversely, if you work in immigration security, you'll need to stay sensitive to the cultural practices of new Americans.
Forensics: An important field of study for any homeland security student, forensics is the application of science to law. Useful in most criminal cases, forensic science is essential in cases of biological or chemical terrorism.

Who Might Hire You with a Degree in Homeland Security?

With your degree in homeland security, you'll have developed strategies and plans to prevent terrorist attacks. You'll have studied emergency response blueprints in the case of a successful attack, and you'll have the have the diversity of knowledge to deal with specialists in fields ranging from medicine to military intelligence. Here are some employment sectors to consider:

The Department of Homeland Security: The Department comprises 22 agencies and 180,000 jobs. Depending on your specialization, you may find yourself working for the federal government.
Governors and Mayors: State and local officials need a specialist able to coordinate homeland security with the federal government. If you're working for the local government you might design plans for emergency situations.
Private Companies: Not only does the government outsource homeland security jobs to private contractors, but private companies may also be terrorist targets. You may find yourself designing corporate security plans.

Your Chance to Fight Terrorism

The U.S. government has invested an unprecedented amount of money in homeland security and the demand for homeland security experts has never been higher. A degree in homeland security may be an excellent step if you're looking for a career in fighting terrorism.

About the Author

Dan Grushkin is freelance writer in Brooklyn, New York. He has written about world affairs for Agence France-Presse news wire and various international publications, and he has contributed to a book on the Middle East crisis. Dan holds a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University.

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