With the world growing more unpredictable, it is becoming important for every country to secure its borders as much as possible. To do so requires sophisticated training in homeland security protocols. In the last decade, universities have begun offering a bachelor in homeland security degree to help students gain a better understanding of the systems in place and how to improve them.
What is The Bachelor in Homeland Security Degree?
This four-year, undergraduate degree is designed to help students sharpen their knowledge about what homeland security entails, what threats the US is facing and possible future threats, and train them to be able to develop proper responses to each of these potential dangers. It's like learning how to protect your home against any intrusions, except on a national level. The degree looks at the question of security from a variety of perspectives, starting from the grassroots level. Students begin by understanding the types of threats which face a given region or community, and then assessing the impact of these threats on the infrastructure of the area. They learn how to deal with emergencies, how to ensure the safety of civilians, and how to arrange for methods of evacuation in emergency situations. Much of the coursework challenges students' critical thinking ability and quicken their responses and decision-making skills.
From developing protocols for emergency management, the focus shifts to more specific questions. Students are trained to assess a given region for its strategic importance, and then develop comprehensive plans to protect them against any type of danger. From factories to government facilities to military bases, everything comes under the purview of these students. An additional module may include training students in the legal aspects of homeland security; such as the methods of detaining criminals and the protocol to follow in cases of investigations and prosecution of suspected terrorists.
What Next?
Once you complete your bachelor's degree program, you have a variety of options ahead. Some students choose to continue their education to a graduate or doctoral level, and use the added knowledge to address more specific concerns within the area of homeland security. Others may choose to work with local or national law enforcement agencies concerned with the security of the region. From US Border Patrol to the Department of Homeland Security, government agencies are always on the lookout for sharp individuals who could help in framing the right policies to make their fellow citizens feel safer. These individuals will assess different environments for their level of security and address any weak points immediately.
You could also work with national or regional disaster management organizations; checking infrastructures for their robustness and ensuring that every facility is prepared to handle potential emergencies or disasters. The job will require ensuring that all transportation companies, hospitals, and the roads are in good shape. The job requires constant vigilance, but is quite a rewarding one as well. It is a fulfilling feeling to know that your contributions are keeping millions of people safe.