Bachelor of Science, Major in Homeland Security Studies

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security Studies
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science)8
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)3
Component Area IX (Component Area Option)4
Degree Specific Requirements 12
Select four of the following:
Fundamentals Of Criminal Law
Police Systems & Practices
Criminal Investigation
Courts And Criminal Procedure
Introduction To Economics 2
Critical Thinking 2
Introduction to Sociology 2
Major: Foundation
SCST 2363Introduction to Homeland Security3
SCST 2364Homeland Security Research Methods3
SCST 2365Introduction to Emergency Management3
SCST 3380Law and Ethics in Homeland Security3
SCST 3393Public Health in Homeland Security3
SCST 3394Global Terrorism & Homeland Security3
SCST 4363Homeland Security Intelligence3
SCST 4365Border Security3
SCST 4367Critical Infrastructure Security3
SCST 4379Comparative Homeland Security3
Major: Prescribed Electives12
Select four of the following:
Introduction to Cybersecurity
Transportation Security
Climate and Security
Energy Security
Water Security
Chemical and Energy Sector Resilience
Healthcare Sector Resilience
Transportation Sector Resilience
United States Security Post 9/11
Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Technology and Homeland Security
Intelligence Analysis
Homeland Defense and Civil Support
Special Topics in Security Studies
Interagency and Public Communications in HS
Strategic Planning for Homeland Sec
Electives: General
General Electives 36
Minor: Not Required
Minor 4, 518
Total Hours120
1

MATH 1332 or MATH 1342 are recommended.

2

If one or more of these courses are taken to fulfill Core Curriculum requirements, Degree-Specific elective courses must be taken to fulfill the Degree-Specific elective course requirement. 

3

Students will need at least 6 SCH of General Electives to meet the 120 total hours minimum required for graduation.

4

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.

5

All minors can be paired with this degree program.

Notes 

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area II13Component Area V3
ENGL 130123Component Area IX1
HIST 130133ENGL 130223
SCST 23633HIST 130233
SCST 23653SCST 23643
 15 13
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area III4
Component Area IV3Component Area IX3
Component Area VIII3Degree Specific Requirement53
POLS 230543POLS 230643
SCST 33943SCST 43653
 16 16
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Degree Specific Requirement53Degree Specific Requirement56
Prescribed Electives66Prescribed Electives66
SCST 33803SCST 43633
SCST 33933 
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
General Electives or Minor7, 8, 96General Electives 76
Prescribed Electives or Minor6, 8, 96Prescribed Electives or Minor6, 8, 96
SCST 43673SCST 43793
 15 15
Total Hours: 120
1

MATH 1332 or MATH 1342 are recommended.

2

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communication).

3

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

4

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).

5

See, Degree Specific Requirement course list below.

6

See, Prescribed Electives course list below.

7

Students will need at least 6 SCH of General Electives to meet the 120 total hours minimum required for graduation.

8

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours will be needed above the degree program's stated total semester credit hours.

9

All minors can be paired with this degree program. 

Degree Specific Requirements 5
Select four from the following:
CRIJ 2364Fundamentals Of Criminal Law3
CRIJ 2367Police Systems & Practices3
CRIJ 2368Criminal Investigation3
CRIJ 2394Courts And Criminal Procedure3
ECON 2300Introduction To Economics 13
PHIL 2303Critical Thinking 13
SOCI 1301Introduction to Sociology 13
1
If one or more of these courses are taken to fulfill Core Curriculum requirements, degree-specific elective courses must be taken to fulfill the degree-specific elective course requirement. 
Prescribed Electives 6
Select four from the following:
SCST 2366Introduction to Cybersecurity3
SCST 2368Transportation Security3
SCST 3381Climate and Security3
SCST 3383Energy Security3
SCST 3384Water Security3
SCST 4301Chemical and Energy Sector Resilience3
SCST 4302Healthcare Sector Resilience3
SCST 4303Transportation Sector Resilience3
SCST 4362United States Security Post 9/113
SCST 4364Homeland Security and Emergency Management3
SCST 4368Technology and Homeland Security3
SCST 4370Intelligence Analysis3
SCST 4373Homeland Defense and Civil Support3
SCST 4377Special Topics in Security Studies3
SCST 4386Interagency and Public Communications in HS3
SCST 4387Strategic Planning for Homeland Sec3

 Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS in Homeland Security Studies is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Think critically, conduct analysis, derive conclusions based on evidence, and communicate effectively.
  • Understand strategic policy-making to address homeland security challenges.
  • Understand the interagency environment, the legal frameworks, and the international context in which the homeland security enterprise operates.