BS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management Online
Take on Crisis Situations With Confidence
A Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) from Grand Canyon University can prepare you with the leadership skills needed to work in crisis situations. This field focuses on efforts to reduce terrorist attacks and to coordinate responses that minimizes damages, should an attack occur. Emergency management encompasses preparedness, response and recovery during and after crises.
Online: $485 per credit [More Info]
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
- 16+ years old
- High School Graduate
- 3.0+ Unweighted GPA
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
- ACT: 19
- SAT: 1000*
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
Benefits of a BS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
The BS in Emergency Services and Homeland Security degree program at GCU is housed within the Colangelo College of Business. This offers you the opportunity to gain both an understanding of disaster preparedness, as well as the business and leadership skills needed to perform practices related to emergency planning.
The Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management is offered online, making it a good option for working professionals looking to switch careers or potentially elevate themselves in their current positions. This bachelor's program is also taught through the Christian worldview, highlighting the servant leadership aspect of public safety careers.
HSEM Coursework and Topics
As a student in this program, you will focus on the moral and ethical obligations of public service. The program also highlights the importance of equitable distribution of resources and access to community programs.
The topics studied in this degree program also include:
Designing emergency action plans
Studying local, state and federal emergency preparedness guidelines
Managing budgets and resources
Performing hazard analysis
Communication in high-risk contexts
Creating community response plans
Analyzing mass care operations
Training community members
Key Skills for Effective Homeland Security and Emergency Management
This program focuses on four domains to ensure you have both the theoretical and practical knowledge to keep communities prepared and safe.
These domains are:
Emergency management frameworks and practice
Focused on FEMA’s National Preparedness Goal, this domain teaches students protection, prevention, mitigation, response and recovery techniques and skills.
Organizational disaster management and leadership
You will be taught to manage budgets and resources related to crisis management.
Research and critical thinking
Skills learned in this domain can help you analyze and evaluate evidence to create strategies and plans for dealing with disasters and mitigating risks during potential crisis situations.
Ethics, relationship building and community engagement
You will develop options for managing communications during emergency situations and evaluate how preparing the community ahead of time can reduce the impact of disasters.
Career Paths for Undergraduate HSEM Degree Graduates
Graduates of GCU’s bachelor’s in homeland security and emergency management will have been taught to assess, combat and provide relief from any number of potential threats. Some career options that graduates may choose to explore include:
Median annual wage for emergency management directors as of May 2023(See disclaimer 1)
Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree From an Accredited University
At GCU, you can pursue your disaster preparedness degree from an institutionally accredited university. Our continuous accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968 demonstrates our commitment to providing students with a quality, well-rounded education. The Colangelo College of Business reflects the university’s mission of offering quality programs designed to prepare students for their intended career paths.
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Degree FAQs
Read through our frequently asked questions and learn more about this career path. Start planning your career in homeland security today.
Do you need a degree to work for homeland security?
How can a BS in Emergency Management and Homeland Security prepare me for my career?
Is a bachelor’s degree in homeland security degree worth it?
Program Curriculum
General Education Requirements
Core Courses
Is serving your local community your calling? This HSEM degree path may be right for you.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Emergency Management Directors as of May 2023, retrieved May 9, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as emergency management directors, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
- All Criminal Justice Schools. (n.d.). How to Start a Career in Homeland Security. Retrieved May 9, 2024.