Homeland Security Course Certification

When a nation makes an effort to protect its homeland and create a sense of peace, security, and resilience against terrorism and natural disasters so that the interest and well-being of the public can be preserved in a free manner, it is known as homeland security. This ensures that they are protected against terrorist attacks and their vulnerability to terrorism all the while controlling the damage it creates.

It is an American term, and while the definition mainly revolves around terrorism, it is not restricted to it. The main purpose of homeland security is to protect the country and its citizens from terrorism along with natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes.

When was Homeland Security Created?

After the September 2001 attacks, the United States of America formed the United States Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003, and this is how the rest of the world was introduced to the term Homeland Security.

Several American shows revolve around homeland security and the risks and adventures that the actors undertake and go through. This has been attracting several adrenaline junkies and the term has become extremely popular with several people looking into how they could get into such a thrilling profession where every day is a new day filled with several (un)pleasant surprises.

Scope of the Work

The scope of work for homeland security is way more serious than you think. It demands

• Continuously working on the improvement of security technologies.
• Controlling the borders of the country where innumerable crimes are prone to happen. This includes land, aerial and maritime borders.
• Protecting the important infrastructures of the country and the perimeters.
• Detecting any illegal and unauthorized transactions involving nuclear weapons along with radioactive and radiological materials.
• Being prepared for any emergencies such as a natural calamity or a terrorist attack.
• Willing to put the country first in case of any such disasters.
• Conducting intelligence activities both within the country and beyond.

What are the Eligibility Requirements?

General Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or a Citizen of a Country in which the U.S. does not have Sanctions.
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Should not have any felony convictions.
• Should not hold any record of disciplinary action from any state, province, or territory, or licensing or certification board within the past ten years nor be subject to any such investigations.
• No dishonorable discharge from the U.S. military (for U.S. Veterans only).

Experience Required

An applicant must have a minimum of four years of professional or volunteer experience in a Supervisory Position or function. They should have spent at least three years in a responsible charge to be able to apply in any Public Safety, Security area (Law enforcement, criminal justice, emergency management, safety, fire/rescue, etc.) or any related area (Public health, volunteer management, chaplains, etc).

Educational Requirement

• An applicant must have a Bachelor’s Degree, Associate’s Degree, or a combination of work experience and classes attended which will be weighed by the certification board.
• Course work in the areas of knowledge should be approved by the Certification review committee. NSA Course Certificates, NDPCI Certificates, FEMA, and DHS Course Certificates in their knowledge areas will be automatically accepted as CHPP Course Requirements.

Academic Options for Joining Homeland Security

After the September 2001 attacks, the world suddenly discovered the unimaginable extent of damage that terrorism could cause. Soon after that, several schools in the United States started offering courses to those interested in pursuing homeland security. Both options of academic programs and degree courses that can aid people in their endeavors are available to the interested candidates here.

Just like any other field of study, the quality of the courses offered by different colleges in homeland security varies, depending on accreditation statuses. Try pursuing one of the following degrees if you want to kick start your career in homeland security:

• Cybersecurity Degree
• Homeland Security Degree
• Counter Terrorism Degree
• Security Management Degree
• Criminal Justice Administration Degree
• Emergency Management Degree

Some of the best homeland security programs that are now available at some of the best institutes across the United States are:

• The Master of Professional Studies in Security and Safety Leadership program at George Washington University.
• The M.S. in Administrative Studies Program is taught by the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Missouri State University.
• Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security is offered online at the Pennsylvania State University.
• The M.S. in Homeland Security Program that is taught at San Diego State University can be customized to meet the needs of full-time and part-time students.
• The M.S. in Integrated Homeland Security Management Program at Towson University.

The courses mentioned above are just some of the best courses that students can now choose from. Several online courses and part-time offers are also made available for those who have other commitments.

Homeland Security Jobs and Salaries

Working in the field of homeland security allows you to be a part of a highly intriguing workforce. Interesting occupations like Data Analyst, Behaviour Analyst, Intelligence Analyst, Security Officer, Program Analyst, Special Agent (Federal), Master Scheduler, and Information Technology Specialist are just some of the numerous posts that you can become eligible for.

When it comes to the pay, being in such a high-profile job translates to getting an excellent salary. As an intelligence analyst, you can make up to $120,000 a year while you will earn up to $50,000 and $75,000 annually as a transportation security officer and security officer, respectively. In fact, some can pay you even better. For example, as a Chief Information Security Officer, not only will your life be challenging at work day after day, but you will be able to make a whopping $276,000 annually as well.

This is one of those few fields which recognize the risks that you take to protect your country and your fellow citizens and pays you well with an enviable salary along with several other perks.

A job in homeland security will bring about an overall development in you clearly making you a highly professional individual who values his job above everything else.

Salary Structure for Homeland Security

JOB TITLE	ENTRY LEVEL (0-12 MONTHS)	EARLY CAREER (1-4 YEARS)	MID-CAREER (5-9 YEARS)	EXPERIENCED (10-19 YEARS)
Police Detective	$44,000	$48,000	$53,000	$60,000
Emergency Management Specialist	$50,000	$55,000	$64,000	$75,000
Border Patrol Agent	$48,000	$49,000	$73,000	$81,000
Homeland Security	N/A	$75,000	N/A	N/A
Air Marshal	N/A	$46,000	$65,000	$87,000

Benefits of Choosing the Homeland Security Certification Course

• Career growth: Many of the careers available to Homeland Security graduates provide ample opportunities for professional growth. In addition to experience, it grants access to positions with increased responsibility and earning potential. Professionals can advance their careers through advanced degrees and certifications.
• Well-paying: Homeland Security graduates enjoy median annual wages that greatly exceed the national median for all occupations. For example, BLS data indicates that the median annual wage for law enforcement professionals exceeds the national median by nearly $30,000.
• Diverse Job Opportunities: Homeland Security graduates with a valid degree or certificate enjoy access to a variety of career options in areas like public safety, law enforcement, and emergency management.

Careers in Homeland Security

With a certification course in Homeland Security, an individual can move on to some of the career opportunities mentioned below:

• Armed Forces
• Coast Guard
• DR - Disaster Recovery Coordinator
• Physical Security Specialist
• Drug Enforcement Agency
• Criminal Investigator
• Law Enforcement
• Emergency Management and Response
• Probation and Parole Officer
• Intelligence/Secret Service

Homeland Security Service- In a Nutshell

Homeland Security has been around for a while now but is still a hot favorite for thousands of students when it comes to selecting a job. This is because it will never get mundane like most of the corporate jobs available. Every day, people working in this department encounter new problems, face high risks and learn something new as well. They undergo strict training as the lives of thousands of people will, at one point, depend on their presence of mind and experience that will increase while working at the different levels of the department.

Normal and short courses are available as well as ample options to choose from when it comes to selecting a profession and high-paying job. All of these factors combine to give homeland security the popularity that it enjoys today.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does it take to complete a Homeland Security degree?
  Program completion times vary according to students and their respective schools. However, a Master’s degree usually takes two years to complete, an Associate degree typically takes two years to complete, and a Bachelor’s degree often takes four years to complete.
• Is it mandatory to have a Master's degree in Homeland Security to find the desired job?
  No, it is not mandatory to have a Master’s degree but a Master’s degree can help individuals advance their careers by demonstrating specialized skills and knowledge, providing them with the qualification to take up leadership roles in the field.
• What are the skills required to work in the Homeland Security sector?
  Working in Homeland Security involves a continuous analysis of new information and making decisions quickly under pressure. Therefore, individuals in this sector should be confident and should be able to think critically while handling stressful situations well. A Homeland Security certificate holder should also enjoy working in teams and have good communication skills.