HOMELAND SECURITY
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The EKU Homeland Security program was established in 2007 in response to the nation’s growing homeland security needs and challenges. As one of the leading programs in the nation, students receive comprehensive educational opportunities focusing on the safeguarding of life and property through the protection of critical infrastructure, preparing for and responding to natural and man-made disasters, providing counterterrorism and law enforcement intelligence support, and employing the latest security technologies.
Courses provide students with an understanding of the homeland security enterprise to include the program’s areas of Disaster Management, Intelligence Studies, and Security Operations and Management. Graduates of the program are prepared to join program alumni in rewarding careers throughout both the public and private sectors.
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Corporate/Industrial Security
Customs and Border Protection
Dignitary Protection Services
Disaster Services (Red Cross, Others)
Emergency Management
Geospatial Services
Information Security
Law Enforcement (Federal, State & Local)
Legal Professions
Park and Forestry Services
Transportation Security
U.S. Intelligence Community
U.S. Military Services
BACHELOR'S DEGREE
120 Credit Hours
37 hrs - Gen Ed / Univ Req.
42 hrs - HLS Core
3 hrs - Supporting Courses
38 hrs - Free Electives
ASSOCIATE DEGREE
60 Credit Hours
36 hrs - General Education
3 hrs - University Requirements
12 hrs - Concentration Req.
9 hrs - Free Electives
CERTIFICATES
24 Credit Hours
- Homeland Security
- Intelligence Studies
- Security Management
MINORS
18 Credit Hours
- Homeland Security
- Disaster Management
COURSES
HLS 101 - Introduction to Homeland Security
Principles and practices associated with the emerging discipline of homeland security. Policies, directives, national plans and legislation that shape and define the ongoing evolution of homeland security. Key issues include civil liberties and diversity and relationships to public safety and private and national security.
HLS 210 - Cyber and Physical Security
Principles of cyber and physical design and application to include assessments and subsequent identification of countermeasures as well as policy development and implementation in an effort to safeguard life and critical infrastructure.
HLS 260 - Disaster Preparedness and Response
Examines disaster preparedness and response context, concepts, theories, principles, programs and requirements. Students apply course concepts using case studies and real-world scenarios.
HLS 280 - Mis, Dis, and Mal-Information
Examines Mis-, Dis-, and Malinformation (MDM) from a homeland security perspective. Students build skills in assessing and evaluating information from social media and other information sources.
HLS 301 - Critical Infrastructure Protection
Identification, prioritization and protection of critical infrastructure including information technology, telecommunications, chemical, transportation, energy, water, medical, and emergency services.
HLS 320 - Security Management
Evolution and application of traditional and current theories in leading and managing corporate and government/industrial security operations. Areas covered include management, supervision and leadership of a security organization.
HLS 391 - Risk Analysis
History and process of vulnerability and risk assessment (VRS) as it relates to the protection of critical assets and infrastructure. Instruction in common VRA techniques used in both the public and private sectors.
HLS 395W- Homeland Security Policy Analysis
Develop homeland security policy and legal research and analytic skills. Includes coverage of international and U.S federal, state and local policy and legal issues.
HLS 401 - Intelligence Process
Key questions facing the U.S. intelligence community and its role in homeland security, national defense and international affairs, with a focus on policy, oversight and intelligence support. Collection, analysis, sharing and dissemination of information within and between local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector.
HLS 430 - Terrorism and Violent Extremism
Coverage of politically-motivated extremist violence in the United States. Includes discussion of definitional issues, radicalization, major attacks, current threats, and principal extremist groups and their ideologies.
HLS 441 - Homeland Security Technology
Broad overview of homeland security technology. Technology as a tool to support homeland security regardless of functional specialty. Contribution of technology to deterrence, preemption, prevention, protection and response.
HLS 461 - Disaster Resilience
Concepts, theories, principles, programs, and requirements of pre and post-disaster hazard mitigation; governmental programs, planning and practice; hazard and threat modeling and analysis; team building; case studies; project development.
HLS 465 - Unconventional Threats and Responses Addresses concepts, theories laws and authorities, principles, programs and requirements associated with unconventional threats to our nation that most likely would result in mass casualties, and pose large scale responses and cascading threats.
HLS 495 - Leadership and Ethics
Examines theories and practical applications of leadership and ethical decision making. Senior capstone course requiring synthesis of prior coursework in homeland security.
Information based on EKU's 2022/2023 course catalog and is subject to change. Visit the HLS Course Catalog for the most recent course listings.
