Program Overview
The Homeland Security at Pennsylvania State University is a Master programme in Humanities, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of humanities. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Homeland Security programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United States and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 6.5
- Location: University Park, United States, United States
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Homeland Security programme are prepared for diverse careers in humanities:
- Researcher / Academic
- Cultural Programme Manager
- Editor / Writer
- Translator / Interpreter
- Museum Curator
- Communications Specialist
Program Curriculum
Course Structure
- Understand major policies and legislation that shapes homeland security in a globalized society.
- Become familiar with organizations that play a key role in the implementation of homeland security policies and administration, and recognize the interactions among them.
- Understand the way in which a person or group responds to a set of conditions so as to prevent and respond to incidents and catastrophic events when needed.
- Recognize the impact that catastrophic events, both natural and man-made, have on society and the domestic and global economy.
- Identify and assess potential threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences.
- Apply leadership skills and principles that are necessary for producing and acting on information of value within a collaborative setting.
- Communicate effectively in the context of particular institutional cultures.
- Use, conduct, and interpret research and data effectively in decision-making.
- Practice ethics and integrity as a foundation for analytical debate and conclusion.
- Develop an appreciation of the cultural, social, psychological, political, and legal aspects of terrorism and counterterrorism.
- HLS ORIENTATION: Orientation course (non-credit)
- HLS/P ADM 801: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3)
- HLS/PHIL 803: Homeland Security: Social and Ethical Issues (3)
- HLS/PL SC 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3)
- P ADM 401: Foundations of Homeland Security (3)
- P ADM 404: Homeland Security and Defense in Practice (3)
- P ADM 802: Collaboration and Integration: Multifaceted Approaches to Homeland Security (3)
- P ADM 803: Strategic Planning and Organizational Imperatives in Homeland Security and Defense (3)
- Choose 9 credits from an approved elective list in consultation with adviser. The list of electives is maintained by the Base Program Director and is provided to the students in the base program.
- HLS ORIENTATION: Orientation course (non-credit)
- HLS/P ADM 801: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3)
- HLS/PHIL 803: Homeland Security: Social and Ethical Issues (3)
- HLS/PL SC 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3)
- AGBIO 520: Agricultural Biosecurity: Protecting a Key Infrastructure (3)
- AGBIO 521: Food Defense: Prevention Planning For Food Processors (3)
- AGBIO 801: Veterinary Infectious Disease Diagnostic and Surveillance Systems (3)
- AGBIO 802: Plant Protection: Responding to Introductions of Threatening Pest and Pathogens (3)
- HLS ORIENTATION: Orientation course (non-credit)
- HLS/P ADM 801: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3)
- HLS/PHIL 803: Homeland Security: Social and Ethical Issues (3)
- HLS/PL SC 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3)
- GEOG 882: Geographic Foundations of Geospatial Intelligence (3)
- GEOG 483: Problem Solving with GIS (3)
- GEOG 480: Exploring Imagery and Elevation Data in GIS Applications (3)
- GEOG 885: Advanced Analytic Methods for Geospatial Intelligence (3)
- Choose 9 credits from an approved elective list in consultation with adviser. The list of electives is maintained by the Option Director and is provided to the students in the option.
- GEOG 594A: Research Topics: Analytic Experience in Geospatial Intelligence (1)
- GEOG 594B: Research Topics: Geospatial Intelligence Capstone Experience (2)
- HLS ORIENTATION: Orientation course (non-credit)
- HLS 801/P ADM: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3)
- HLS 803/PHIL: Homeland Security: Social and Ethical Issues (3)
- HLS/PL SC 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3)
- IST 454: Computer and Cyber Forensics (3)
- IST 456: Information Security Management (3)
- IST 815: Information Security and Assurance (3)
- IST 554: Network Management and Security
- Choose 9 credits from an approved elective list in consultation with adviser. The list of electives is maintained by the Option Director and is provided to the students in the option.
- IST 594: Research Topics
- Director: Eugene J. Lengerich, V.M.D., M.S., Professor, Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, MC H070; 500 University Drive; Hershey, Pennsylvania; 717-531-6066; PHP_Programs@psu.edu
- HLS ORIENTATION: Orientation course (non-credit)
- HLS/P ADM 801: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3)
- HLS/PHIL 803: Homeland Security: Social and Ethical Issues (3)
- HLS/PL SC 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3)
- PHP 410: Public Health Preparedness for Disaster and Bioterrorism Emergencies I (3)
- PHP 510: Public Health Preparedness for Disaster and Bioterrorism Emergencies II (3)
- PHP 527: Public Health Evaluation of Disasters and Bioterrorism (3)
- PHP 530: Critical Infrastructure Protection of Health Care Delivery Systems (3)
- Choose 9 credits from an approved elective list in consultation with adviser. The list of electives is maintained by the Option Director and is provided to the students in the option.
- PHP 594: Research Topics (3)
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
Educational Background
An applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor\'s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
Core Application Packet
Completed online Graduate School application and payment of nonrefundable application fee
Statement of purpose
Vita or résumé
Three letters of recommendation
Two official transcripts from each institution attended
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score, if applicable
Statement of Purpose and Curriculum Vitae
A statement of professional experience and goals (up to 500 words) and the candidates vita or résumé must accompany the application.
Letters of Recommendation
The individuals writing letters should be familiar with you and comfortable discussing your professional and/or academic strengths and accomplishments.
The Admissions Committee prefers that all letters be written within the last six months and reference the applicants current career goals and/or ability to perform graduate level study.
A person choosing to submit a letter of reference will do this through the online application process and either select our pre-formatted template or upload his/her own letter.
GPA Requirements
Your grade-point average is interpreted by the Admissions Committee in the context of a completed application. Some options may require a minimum GPA.
GRE Requirements
The Graduate Record Examination may be required by some options.
TOEFL
The language of instruction at Penn State is English. International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the internet-based test. Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires an institutional test of English proficiency upon first enrollment and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5.
International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a graduate degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.
English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Detailed tuition information is not available. Please contact the university for the most current tuition and fee information.
Application Deadline
May, 2027
About Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
State College, United States
The Pennsylvania State University is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High...
University Profile- Application Deadline May, 2027
- Start Date Sep, 2026
- Language English
