Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy (MS)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Offered by the Department of Justice, Law and Criminology , School of Public Affairs , the Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy (MS) 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, non-AU applicants must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores. AU applicants with GPAs less than 3.20 must also submit GRE test scores. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of scholastic achievement in their last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work, test scores (if needed), and two letters of recommendation.

Degree Requirements

33 credit hours of approved graduate coursework with at least 18 credit hours at 600-level
Capstone Experience: JLC-694 Justice, Law and Criminology Practicum (3) or JLC-695 Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy Practicum (3) with grade of B or better
Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA
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

Foundation (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

Interdisciplinary (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

Research Methods (6 credit hours)

Capstone (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following with grade of B or better:

Electives (12 credit hours)

Complete 12 credit hours from the following, or from other approved courses in the School of Public Affairs :

GOVT-626 U.S. Intelligence Community (3)
GOVT-630 Principles of Homeland Security (3) (if not used for interdisciplinary requirement)
JLC-607 Concept of Justice (3) (if not used for foundation requirement)
JLC-608 The Constitution and Criminal Procedure (3)
JLC-670 Causes of Terrorism and Political Violence (3)
JLC-671 Evolution of Global Jihad (3)
JLC-674 Domestic Terrorism and Political Violence (3)
JLC-675 Terrorism and Counterterrorism in Practice (3)
JLC-677 Security Challenges in South Asia (3)
JLC-678 Investigating Terrorism (3)
JLC-679 Prosecution of Terrorism (3)
JLC-682 Crime and Conflict Nexus (3)
JLC-683 Cyber Threats and Security (3)
JLC-685 Topics in Terrorism (3)
JLC-691 Internship in a Justice Setting (1-6) (maximum 3 credit hours)
PUAD-603 Policy Process (3) (if not used for interdisciplinary requirement)
PUAD-604 Public Program Evaluation (3) (if not used for interdisciplinary requirement)
RELG-675 Religion and Violence (3)
SIS-609 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice (3)
SIS-610 Theories of Violence and War (3)
SIS-653 Topics in U.S. Foreign Policy (3) :
Bioterror in the Twenty-first Century
Countering Terrorism
Homeland Security
Insurgency and Counterinsurgency
International Security
National Security and Proliferation
Political Risk Analysis
Transnational Crime and Terrorism
Transnational Security Challenges
U.S. National Security Strategy
U.S. Policy Toward Weak States