Online Master’s in Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security

100% Online

GRE/GMAT Not Required

All Courses
Taught in English

Scholarships Available

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Shape Policy and Fight Global Terrorism

A Professional Program for Your Future

To counter complex threats today, you need interdisciplinary skills and focused expertise to understand and counter-terrorism. American University’s online Master of Science in Counter-terrorism and Homeland Security builds these capabilities and prepares you for work and career advancement in intelligence, law enforcement and related private sector positions in national and homeland security.

In this flexible online program, you will study the problem of terrorism and how to counter it through a number of different lenses including political violence, intelligence studies, and domestic and international law and policy. You will also study and assess different threats, including domestic terrorism, cyber threats, and foreign fighters. You will apply this knowledge to develop policy-based security solutions at all levels of government.

American University’s fully online programs are led by expert faculty who are passionate about teaching. With flexible scheduling in a digital environment, you will get the experience and knowledge you need in the field of your choice.

Protect and Preserve Freedom

The curriculum in the online master’s in counter-terrorism and homeland security will equip you with the real-world skills you need to protect the public. Please note this program and all courses are taught in English only.

Justice in the Face of Terror

This course is designed to help students understand and critically analyze the nature and causes of acts of violence and terror by both state and non-state actors and begin to evaluate the justice of formal and informal societal responses to these acts. The purpose of this class is to introduce students to concepts and ideas that they will study in depth later in the program.

Crime and Conflict Nexus

Study the relationship between criminals and terrorists by examining the nexus of terrorists and criminal networks, their commonalities, affinities, and disparities.

Causes of Terrorism and Political Violence

Familiarize yourself with the study of terrorism as a political act. The course examines the difference between state and oppositional terror but focuses on terror by non-state actors.

Intelligence Analysis

The course will focus on intelligence analysis, including the analytic process, the components of the U.S. intelligence community, the elements of intelligence collection and tradecraft; and the role that intelligence plays in U.S. national security policy. This course will be an applied course, with students acting as analysts throughout the semester by following an analytic account, applying analytic tradecraft, evaluating sources, and authoring intelligence analysis on that account. In other words, students are expected to spend the semester learning to become analysts by acting as analysts.

Realize Your Purpose

Secure Your Future and the Futures of Others

About 67,100 openings for police and detectives are projected each year1, which is no surprise given the importance and necessity of public safety. Our country will always need experts who devote their lives to fighting violence and terrorism. Luckily, there are many ways to do this:

  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Intelligence Community Analyst
  • Law Enforcement Intelligence Professional
  • Homeland Security Professional

“I think the School of Public Affairs at American University stands out and is often ranked among the best schools of Public Affairs because of the fact that we have such an active and engaged faculty. Our faculty are just as comfortable in the classroom as they are behind their desk doing research as they are downtown giving testimony to Congress . . . We pay attention to what the skills are that students need and what employers are telling us is critical in the labor market to make sure we shape an experience that prepares students to go out and work.”

– Vicky Wilkins, Dean School of Public Affairs

No. 10

Best Public Affairs Programs

Top Ranked School in Washington D.C.

U.S. News & World Report Public Affairs Graduate Schools (2023)

No. 11

Homeland Security & Emergency Management

U.S. News & World Report Public Affairs Graduate Schools (2023)

Recognized by Princeton Review for Most Politically Active Students

Princeton Review Best Colleges (2021)

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Sources

  1. https://www.bls.gov/