Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
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Lead the Future of Public Safety
The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Homeland Security Studies prepares you for roles that help keep communities safe. You’ll develop the skills you need to manage security threats and ensure public safety through practical applications taught by faculty who are experts in the field.
Through our interactive online courses, students build a strong professional network by working alongside peers of varying backgrounds and experience levels. Students are also provided opportunities to work with professional organizations to gain the necessary hands-on, real-world experience to accelerate your career.
An academic advisor can help tailor your MPS in Homeland Security Studies to your specific interests and goals.
Courses are offered online, hybrid, and on-ground, supporting adult learners who require scheduling flexibility.
A required three-course sequence culminating in a capstone seminar ensures that students synthesize learning into real-world, career-relevant outcomes.
Students choose two disciplinary concentrations or design their own with advisor support—blending academic interest with career objectives.
Concentrations include areas such as cybersecurity, public relations, leadership, and digital media—preparing students for in-demand roles across sectors.
What Will You Learn While Earning Your Degree in Homeland Security Studies?
The program dives deep into homeland security policies and strategies with courses on domestic and international terrorism, intelligence research methods, examinations of emergency management, and border security.
- Understand terrorist motivations and counterterrorism strategies.
- Learn how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
- Strengthen abilities in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence for threat prevention.
- Expand your capacity to protect critical infrastructure by securing essential services like transportation and energy against threats.
- Study laws and ethical considerations related to surveillance, privacy, and civil liberties.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Homeland Security Studies?
Earning your master’s in homeland security studies can prepare you to make an impact at all levels of government and in the private sector. As a graduate of Tulane’s MPS in Homeland Security Studies, you’ll be ready to advance in roles related to emergency management, intelligence analysis, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, border protection, and infrastructure protection.
Take a look at a few careers you can pursue with this degree:*
Information Security Manager
Median Annual Salary: $128,319
Intelligence Officer
Median Annual Salary: $111,081
Information Security Specialist
Median Annual Salary: $83,934
Intelligence Analyst
Median Annual Salary: $83,385
FBI Agent
Median Annual Salary: $75,096
*National salary data according to Payscale; salaries vary by location.
Explore the MPS in Homeland Security Studies Curriculum
The MPS in Homeland Security Studies program requires six core courses, four electives, and a capstone. Students may create an independent study plan or use electives to pursue a concentration or certification. No thesis is required. Click here for listing of MPS in Homeland Security Studies required courses and course descriptions.
Faculty Who Practice What They Teach
By day, our professors are leaders in the fields of intelligence, security, and emergency response. They bring their daily experience to the classroom to ensure you are learning real-world professional skills to further your career. Industry leaders serving on program advisory boards ensure faculty teach relevant curriculum connected to the real-world.
Faculty Feature
“Our practicioner faculty is focused on one thing—preparing the next generation of homeland security and emergency management professionals.”
Michael Wallace, Ed.D.
Emergency & Security Studies Program Director
Retired military intelligence officer with 20 years of active service
“SoPA provided me the opportunity to mix in-class experiences with online learning, which made pursuing a degree in Public Relations much more convenient.”
Student Spotlight
“SoPA gave me much more than a textbook education. It gave me the ability to approach my professional life with a broader outlook and a more capable network.”
Chris Cox
Tulane SoPA class of 2018
Funding Your Degree
Tulane SoPA is more affordable than traditional private university tuition. With limited fees and a 20% tuition discount (if qualified), cost is on par with many state schools.
All tuition is charged by the credit hour and we have minimal fees. Visit our tuition page to see our current tuition rates and use our net price calculator.
We strive to make higher education affordable by offering 20% discounts, financial aid, and credit for work and life experience. Learn about financial aid, discounts and scholarship opportunities to fund your degree today.
Tulane SoPA participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program for eligible students enrolling in our master's degree programs. Visit our military benefits page for detailed information.
Admissions
Apply anytime—no test scores or letters of recommendation are required.
- An official government issued ID
- A $50 application fee for graduate programs
- Some graduate programs require a written statement as part of the application materials.
Transcripts from all prior undergraduate institutions attended. You may be admitted with unofficial copies of your transcripts. Please note that uploaded copies of your transcripts will not be considered “official.” SoPA requires official transcripts prior to registering for classes.
Graduate students must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution and have earned at least a 3.0 grade point average, according to their transcripts.
Electronic transcripts are preferred. Have official electronic transcripts sent to soparecords@tulane.edu directly by the institution.
Paper copies of official transcripts may be mailed to:
Academic Records
Richardson Bldg. #5
Suite 204
6823 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118If you have previously attended Tulane, SoPA will request your Tulane transcript on your behalf at no charge.
Complete the online application, upload your official government-issued photo ID, and pay the $50 application fee.
You may be admitted with unofficial copies of your transcripts. Please note that uploaded copies of your transcripts will not be considered “official.” SoPA requires official transcripts prior to registering for classes.
International students (or students who have earned their degree outside the U.S. or Canada) must submit a course-by-course evaluation of international coursework. Evaluations can take a month to complete from the time the agency receives your international transcript(s), so we recommend getting an early start on this process to ensure the evaluation is received by the deadline for which you're applying.
International students may also be required to submit proof of English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL). Please refer to the international student section in the FAQ to determine whether you're required to submit scores. The Tulane Office of International Students & Scholars can provide additional assistance.
Accredited Online Education
The Tulane School of Professional Advancement is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Funding Your Degree
If you wish to be considered for federal financial aid and work study, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility. Tulane’s federal school code is 002029. Tulane Financial Aid for SoPA can provide additional assistance.
SoPA offers several scholarship programs, including discounts on tuition, student scholarships, and external scholarships.
20% Tuition Discount Scholarship
Depending on your work experience and background, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount scholarship to attend SoPA programs. This scholarship is available to the following groups:*
- Active and retired public safety personnel (firefighters, police officers, or paramedics)
- Full-time educators and paraprofessionals
- Veterans and active-duty military personnel
- Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members
- Tulane alumni
- Employees who work for government offices in Jefferson or Orleans Parish or City
- Tulane SoPA adjunct faculty currently teaching a course at SoPA
- National League of Cities University partnership referral to the MPA program
- New Leaders Council partnership referral to the MPA program
- Members of state and local government in the state of Louisiana
- Members of federal, state and local emergency services & law enforcement agencies
- SoPA professional and partnership agencies
- International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA) members
To qualify, students must fill out the tuition discount form each semester. The form is open 60 days before the start of the semester and closes 7 days after the start of each semester.
*This 20% discount cannot be combined with other tuition discounts, but may be combined with scholarships. You are not eligible for a tuition discount if 100% of your tuition is covered by a Tulane tuition waiver or scholarship.
Early Enrollment Scholarship
The early enrollment scholarship is available to all first-time students entering SoPA who register for their first semester of classes by the scholarship deadlines. This is a one-time scholarship and the amount of the scholarship will be applied toward their first semester's tuition. SoPA graduate students who enroll in courses by the dates listed below are eligible for a one-time scholarship of $500.
Fall Early Enrollment Scholarship Deadline: July 15
Spring Early Enrollment Scholarship Deadline: December 1
Summer Early Enrollment Scholarship Deadline: April 25
Teacher Education Scholarships and Discounts
We offer a variety of discounts and tuition waivers available to aspiring and current educators and paraprofessionals. Visit our teacher benefits page for detailed information.
McGrail Memorial Scholarship
Active duty, reserve, National Guard, and honorably discharged veteran students from any U.S. uniformed service are eligible. Visit the scholarship page for more details.
The Elmo and Margaret Allen Waltzer Scholarship
Awarded to students who provide service to their communities, to the School of Professional Advancement, or to Tulane University. Applications accepted in late fall for a spring semester award. Visit the scholarship page for more details.
Tulane SoPA participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon Program for eligible students enrolling in our master's degree programs. Visit our military benefits page for detailed information.
Graduate-level students (pursuing master’s/PhD) seeking aid to supplement any assistance being offered by Tulane SoPA and/or the various departments may work with Tulane SoPA Financial Aid.
Admissions
Graduate students must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution and have earned at least a 3.0 grade point average, according to their transcripts.
- An official government-issued ID
- A $50 application fee for graduate programs
- A written statement (required by some graduate programs)
- Transcripts from all prior undergraduate institutions attended*
*You may be admitted with unofficial copies of your transcripts. Please note that uploaded copies of your transcripts will not be considered "official." SoPA requires official transcripts prior to registering for classes.
Electronic transcripts are preferred. Have official electronic transcripts sent to soparecords@tulane.edu directly by the institution.
Paper copies of official transcripts may be mailed to:
Academic Records
Richardson Bldg. #5
Suite 204
6823 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
If you have previously attended Tulane, SoPA will request your Tulane transcript on your behalf at no charge.
Complete the online application, upload your official government-issued photo ID, and pay the $50 application fee.
You may be admitted with unofficial copies of your transcripts. Please note that uploaded copies of your transcripts will not be considered "official." SoPA requires official transcripts prior to registering for classes.
Spring Admission Deadline: January 1
Spring II Admission Deadline: February 23
Summer Admission Deadline: May 1
Fall Admission Deadline: August 1
Fall II Admission Deadline: August 28
International students (or students who have earned their degree outside the U.S. or Canada) must submit a course-by-course evaluation of international coursework. Evaluations can take a month to complete from the time the agency receives your international transcript(s), so we recommend getting an early start on this process to ensure the evaluation is received by the deadline for which you're applying.
International students may also be required to submit proof of English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL). Please refer to the international student section in the FAQ to determine whether you're required to submit scores. The Tulane Office of International Students & Scholars can provide additional assistance.
Tuition and Aid
Tulane SoPA is more affordable than traditional private university tuition. With limited fees and a 20% tuition discount (if qualified), cost is on par with many state schools.
All tuition is charged by the credit hour and we have minimal fees. Visit our tuition page to see our current tuition rates and use our net price calculator.
We strive to make higher education affordable by offering 20% discounts, financial aid, and credit for work and life experience. Learn about financial aid, discounts and scholarship opportunities to fund your master's in Homeland Security Studies today.
Admissions
Apply anytime—no test scores or letters of recommendation are required.
Students applying to the MPS in Homeland Security Studies program must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applications to the program must include the following:
- A statement of 250-500 words discussing their background beyond academic coursework, and how the program will assist them to achieve professional objectives.
- Official college transcripts from each college attended. Typically, successful applicants will have at least a “B” (3.00) average in all coursework taken.
Applicants may be conditionally admitted and allowed to take one class in their first semester, in which a B or better must be earned to be fully admitted to the program. Students who do not meet the 3.00-grade point average in their undergraduate coursework but who possess sufficient professional experience in the security studies field may be admitted provisionally into the program.
Completed applications are reviewed by the MPS in Homeland Security Studies Director, Dr. Michael Wallace and Admissions Committee throughout the year.
To begin the admissions process, complete the online application.
Students in good standing may petition to transfer a maximum of nine credit hours (three courses) of graduate coursework from other colleges or universities to the MPS degree. However, only courses with grades of B or better, completed within five years of enrolling in the MPS program, may be considered for transfer credit.
A Unique “Stackable” Certificate Program
Students in good standing may petition to transfer a maximum of nine credit hours (three courses) of graduate coursework from other colleges or universities to the MPS degree. However, only courses with grades of B or better, completed within five years of enrolling in the MPS program, may be considered for transfer credit.
Admissions Deadlines
SPRING
SESSION 1
JAN 1
SPRING
SESSION 2
FEB 23
SUMMER
SESSION
MAY 1
FALL
SESSION 1
AUG 1
FALL
SESSION 2
SEP 28
The next start date is approaching!
Contact us to learn more about the online Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Homeland Security Studies.
Interested in putting your skills to work for your future? Start your application today to earn your degree in Homeland Security Studies from a world-renowned university.
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