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    Mar 29, 2024  
American University Catalog 2017-2018 
    
American University Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy (MS)


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Offered by the Department of Justice, Law and Criminology , School of Public Affairs , the MS in Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy is an interdisciplinary program that trains students to understand and explain problems of terrorism and other sub-state threats to U.S. homeland security. Approaching security issues informed by social science with attention to the perspectives of criminology and criminal justice, the program emphasizes development of strategic, policy-based security solutions at the federal, state, and local levels of government. The program provides students with grounding in quantitative research methods as well as foundations in the fields of criminology, law, and public policy. Students have the flexibility to expand on this foundation with a wide range of security and policy elective courses across the university. Throughout the program, students are exposed to rigorous intellectual challenges and provided the skills and knowledge needed to address current issues facing U.S. law enforcement, intelligence, and homeland security agencies. The degree prepares students for a range of practitioner, policy, and research positions.

Admission to the Program


 In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for graduate study, applicants must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of scholastic achievement in their last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work, test scores and two letters of recommendation.

Degree Requirements


  • 33 credit hours of approved graduate coursework with at least 18 credit hours at the 600-level
  • One three-hour written comprehensive examination in the area of Terrorism and Homeland Security policy. Students must complete foundational seminars and electives prior to taking the examination
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00
  • Research requirement: JLC-680 Introduction to Justice Research I (3)  and JLC-681 Introduction to Justice Research II (3)  with grades of B or better

Course Requirements


Electives (15 credit hours)


Complete five elective courses from the following, or from other approved courses in the School of Public Affairs:

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