Catastrophic prevention, preparation, communication, responsiveness and recovery are a unique and vital set of skills coveted in areas of public administration, particularly in civil security including emergency and crisis management, business continuity, infrastructure protection, intelligence analysis, law enforcement, and physical security. While the federal government's Department of Homeland Security and federal agencies may be among the largest employers of homeland security professionals, homeland security-related jobs can be found across the country as an ever-growing field and has the potential for huge employment growth. Due to the number of jobs in homeland security, individuals earning a Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security can choose from a range of professional roles.
Program Highlights
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Program follows an “all hazards” approach and is adaptable to both public and private sectors
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Assignments provide practical real-world skills that are applicable in the workplace
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Program offered online: a perfect fit for those with busy work and family lives
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Continue working in your current field as you earn the qualifications and skills for advancement or pursue other career opportunities
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Immigration and Customs Inspectors
Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.
Emergency Management Directors
Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.
Public Relations Specialists
Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.
Requirements
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Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security will possess the fundamental aspects of national safety and security skills commensurate to those pursued for positions in various government and private agencies.
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All degree-seeking applicants admitted to the certificate program must meet ODU requirements for graduate admission: an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution. Those whose native language is not English must submit a minimum score of 230 on the computer-based TOEFL or 80 on the TOEFL iBT.
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Non-degree seeking students are required to have these same credentials, though documentation is not required. Ultimately, students must apply to the program in order to obtain the certificate.
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Cost of Attendance
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Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Financial Aid for Graduate Students
Financial aid is available to graduate students at Old Dominion University. Financial aid may be available in the form of University fellowships, tuition grants, and research assistantships. In addition to the financial aid offered by the University, graduate students may be eligible for aid and student loans administered by other agencies. For information about part-time employment, scholarships, and student loans, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.
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