Many jobs, one mission: Choosing a bachelor's degree in homeland security

From a big-city bomb plot crafted in the seemingly quiet town of Bridgeport, Connecticut, to an attack on military personnel in Fort Hood, Texas, to a shooting at the Holocaust Museum in the heart of Washington, D.C--recent acts of domestic extremism serve as frightening reminders that American citizens must be more alert than ever. As evidenced by these and other shocking displays of domestic terrorism in the past two years, from the suburbs to the city, strong homeland security is critical everywhere.

How can getting a degree in homeland security help?

Such persistent threats require a diligent homeland security team defending against them. However, a homeland security degree doesn't only help experts protect against terrorism. Threats such as identity theft, pandemics and breaches in security of public infrastructure may be less dramatic than a large-scale terrorist attack, but these, too, can be devastating for victims. Those who choose careers in homeland security work to reduce the nation's vulnerabilities to these disasters by anticipating, preparing for and helping to prevent all types of emergencies. With the right amount of preparedness, skill and teamwork, homeland security experts can minimize the impact these events have on the nation's citizens.

Careers for graduates with a bachelor's degree in homeland security

As the world becomes smaller and technology advances, security positions require increasingly intense training. One path that students pursuing online bachelor's degrees in homeland security may choose is one of a variety of online security degrees. This type of a degree in homeland security focuses on computer training and prepares students for careers as:

• Database security administrators
• Network security auditors
• Chemical plant and system operators
• Computer security specialists
• Network systems and data communications analysts

In addition to online and network security, homeland security degrees can help students prepare for positions in law and criminal justice. Just a few of the areas available for employment with an online bachelor's degree in homeland security include:

• Citizenship and immigration services
• Information analysis and infrastructure protection
• Customs and border patrol
• Transportation and security administration
• Science and technology directorate

Of course, there are also opportunities in more traditionally known federal agencies for those with a degree in homeland security, including careers in law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that "as cyber security becomes an increasingly important aspect of National defense, rapid growth will occur among information technology specialists," the likes of which include computer and information research scientists who will be needed to develop new defense methods, monitor computer networks, and execute security protocol.

Prepare for expected job growth with online bachelor's degree in homeland security

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, wages and educational requirements vary greatly depending on the career path within the Department of Homeland Security. While the salaries may not grow to be as high as some in the private sector, overall employment with the federal government is expected to grow by 10 percent between 2008 and 2018. Management or professional jobs--which are often the highest paying as well--require a 4-year degree, such as an online bachelor's degree in homeland security. More technical or specialized jobs may require graduate degrees as well. One rule is certain nearly across the board, however--most all departments of the federal government require their employees to be U.S. citizens, and there are very few exceptions.

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