Emergency & Security Studies Program FAQs

Tulane SoPA offers several degree programs and graduate certificates tailored to professionals in emergency response, homeland security, and related fields. Students can pursue a Master of Professional Studies in Emergency Management or a Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security, both of which are available fully online. The Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security Studies is available online, on campus, or in a hybrid format, with an option to transition into a 4+1 master’s degree track.

Graduate-level certificates provide focused, short-term learning and can be applied toward a master’s degree. Available certificates include Emergency Management, Advanced Emergency Management, Intelligence, Open Source Intelligence, Security Management, and Sport Security. Each certificate consists of four graduate-level courses and can be completed online in as little as nine months, offering a flexible pathway to strengthening skills in crisis management, risk assessment, and national security strategy.

Graduates of the Emergency & Security Studies programs are prepared for leadership roles in the public and private sectors. Career paths include emergency management, homeland security, law enforcement, risk assessment, disaster response coordination, and intelligence analysis. Alumni work with local, state, and federal agencies, such as FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, and municipal emergency preparedness offices, as well as in the private sector, nonprofit disaster relief organizations, and roles focused on cyber terrorism and critical infrastructure protection.

Yes, Tulane SoPA’s Emergency & Security Studies degree programs and graduate certificates are available fully online, offering the flexibility needed by working professionals. Whether you're focusing on homeland security or emergency management, the coursework is designed to be interactive, engaging, and aligned with real-world emergency response and crisis management needs.

The Homeland Security and Emergency Management programs offer rigorous, graduate-level coursework in areas essential to today’s security and emergency response landscape. Topics include risk assessment, crisis management, cyber terrorism, national response systems, critical infrastructure protection, intelligence operations, and emergency planning. Core courses are continually updated to reflect the evolving demands of local, state, and federal agencies and private sector organizations.

Tulane SoPA offers a streamlined admissions process with no test scores or letters of recommendation required. Students can apply year-round for start dates in January, May, or August. Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree for graduate programs or a high school diploma or equivalent for undergraduate admission. Prior professional or military experience may count toward credit through a portfolio assessment.

Tulane SoPA supports Emergency & Security Studies students with a wide range of resources, including academic advising, career counseling, and portfolio credit assessments. Faculty with experience in emergency management, homeland security, and law enforcement bring real-world insights into every course. Students also benefit from Tulane SoPA’s industry partnerships, which can lead to networking opportunities, certifications, and career advancement in both the government and private sectors.

While both are graduate-level degree programs focused on public safety and security, the Master of Professional Studies in Emergency Management emphasizes strategic planning, crisis management, disaster response, and organizational resilience. This program prepares students to lead emergency response efforts across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors.

The Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security, on the other hand, covers topics such as cyber terrorism, critical infrastructure protection, intelligence analysis, and national response strategy. It prepares graduates for roles in federal and local agencies, private security, and sectors concerned with border protection, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism.

Yes, both the Master of Professional Studies in Emergency Management and the Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security are offered 100% online. The programs are designed for working professionals, allowing students to complete coursework on their own schedule while developing real-world skills in emergency response, risk assessment, and homeland security operations.

Graduates are well-positioned for leadership roles in emergency management, homeland security, law enforcement, intelligence, and private sector security operations. Many work for local, state, or federal agencies such as FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, or emergency preparedness offices. Others pursue careers in nonprofit disaster relief, private security firms, or roles focused on cyber terrorism and critical infrastructure protection. The programs’ emphasis on applied knowledge and national response frameworks makes graduates competitive in a rapidly evolving field.

Both the Master of Professional Studies in Emergency Management and the Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security can be completed in as little as 18 months. The curriculum includes 11 graduate courses: a combination of core courses, electives, and a capstone that integrates real-world problem solving in emergency and security studies.

Students develop a range of advanced skills in crisis management, risk assessment, emergency response planning, critical infrastructure protection, and interagency coordination. The programs also build leadership, decision-making, and analytical skills needed to navigate complex challenges across the public and private sectors. Core courses reflect the latest developments in cyber terrorism, homeland security strategy, and disaster preparedness at the local, state, and federal levels.

Yes. Students benefit from access to experienced faculty, many of whom are current or former professionals in law enforcement, military intelligence, and emergency management. The program also offers opportunities to connect with peers and alumni through virtual events, collaborative projects, and Tulane SoPA’s partnerships with organizations such as ASIS, the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association, and the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts. These connections help students build a strong professional network even in a fully online format.

The Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security Studies prepares students to address national and global security challenges through a foundation in emergency management, counterterrorism, and critical infrastructure protection. The program emphasizes both strategic and operational perspectives, covering domestic and international threats, border and maritime security, cyber terrorism, and risk assessment. It’s ideal for current professionals, such as military members or EMTs, as well as students beginning their careers in public safety, emergency response, or intelligence.

Students are encouraged to pursue experiential learning through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private security organizations. Advisors and faculty can help connect students with internship opportunities that align with their career goals in fields like emergency response, homeland security, and infrastructure management.

Yes. Tulane SoPA accepts up to 60 transfer credits toward the 120-credit requirement for the Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security Studies. You may also earn up to 24 credits through portfolio assessment, which awards credit for applicable work or military experience. This flexibility allows many students to complete their degree in two to four years while saving time and tuition costs.

The curriculum includes a combination of general education courses, electives, and major-specific coursework. Core courses explore topics such as domestic and international terrorism, American foreign policy, maritime and border security, cybersecurity, emergency management, and critical infrastructure protection. Together, these courses build a strong foundation in crisis management, national response strategy, and public safety operations.

Graduates of the Homeland Security Studies program are prepared for a wide range of roles in emergency management, cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, infrastructure protection, and law enforcement. Common job titles include emergency management specialist, intelligence analyst, cybersecurity manager, counter-terrorism analyst, and emergency response coordinator. Many graduates find roles within local, state, or federal government agencies, private security firms, or nonprofit organizations focused on disaster preparedness and response.

Absolutely. The Homeland Security Studies degree is offered in a flexible online, on-campus, or hybrid format, making it ideal for working professionals. Students can balance coursework with their careers while still gaining real-world knowledge in emergency response, homeland security, and risk mitigation.

Tulane SoPA offers a range of graduate certificate programs designed to build specialized skills in key areas of emergency and security studies. Available options include Emergency Management, Advanced Emergency Management, Intelligence, Open Source Intelligence, Security Management, and Sport Security. Each graduate certificate program consists of four courses and provides targeted training in crisis management, national response frameworks, and critical infrastructure protection.

Yes. All graduate certificate credits can be applied toward a Master of Professional Studies in Emergency Management or Homeland Security. This allows students to begin with a focused certificate and build momentum toward completing a full graduate-level degree.

Each graduate certificate can be completed online in as little as nine months. With just four courses required, these programs are ideal for professionals looking to quickly enhance their skills in areas such as emergency response, intelligence, or risk assessment.

Tulane SoPA has a streamlined admissions process with no test scores or recommendations required. To apply for a graduate certificate, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Admissions operate on a rolling basis, with three start dates per year in January, May, and August.

Graduate certificates offer practical knowledge that can be immediately applied to roles in emergency management, law enforcement, private security, or public safety. Whether you're aiming for advancement or preparing for a career shift, certificates demonstrate focused expertise in critical fields like intelligence, disaster response, and homeland security and translate to skills highly valued by local, state, and federal employers.

No prior experience is required. The graduate certificate programs are designed to support both professionals already working in emergency or security roles and those new to the field. Courses provide foundational and advanced instruction in crisis response, national security, and risk mitigation, helping students at all levels build marketable skills and expand their career options.