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Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security & Emergency Management

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security & Emergency Management

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

College of Justice, Safety & Military Science

Online

Program

12 Credit Hours

to Graduate

Online Tuition Rate

$649 Per Credit Hour

Low-Cost Textbooks

For All Students

Gain the Knowledge to Excel in Emergency Situations

Experts predict that the frequency of extreme events and their costs will continue to climb. Earning a graduate-level homeland security and emergency management certificate from EKU can help you expand your knowledge of emergency preparedness and enhance your ability to respond quickly and effectively. Use your newfound knowledge to pursue advancement opportunities in the field, assume more leadership responsibility or as a steppingstone to our master’s in safety, security and emergency management.

Build upon your bachelor’s degree and earn a valuable, respected credential for your career. We can help you grow with the industry while you apply cutting-edge knowledge directly in the field.

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Career Outlook

Protective service occupations are expected to grow 2 percent from 2021 to 2031, which will result in about 72,600 new jobs.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

As a multidisciplinary degree, students have abundant career options in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Recent graduates have entered careers in law enforcement, private sector security, emergency management, the military service, the intelligence community, and others. It is also not uncommon for students to continue studies in graduate degree programs or law school following graduation.

Job Titles Include:

  • Law enforcement officer
  • Emergency manager
  • Corporate security officer
  • Intelligence analyst
  • Risk manager
  • Business continuity specialist
  • Counterterrorism analyst
  • Criminal investigator/detective
  • Critical infrastructure analyst

Graduates of EKU’s homeland security program have a competitive edge in the job market and are prepared to work in a number of private and public sectors.

Employers Include:

  • Marathon Petroleum-Marine Transportation
  • U.S. Military Services
  • U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • U.S. Transportation Security Administration
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Kentucky Division of Emergency Management
  • Kentucky State Police
  • Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
  • Lexington Police Department
  • Allied Universal
  • Baptist Health Security Services

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Low-cost textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
  • Accelerated 7-week terms
  • Courses begin 6 times per year
  • No campus visits required
  • Graduate in 1 year or less
  • Improve your education while remaining active as a safety professional
  • Learn from a veteran faculty of safety experts with public and private sector experience
  • Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best universities offering online degrees

Curriculum & Admission

EKU’s online homeland security and emergency management certificate offers a real-world focus and practical skill building. Through the guidance of nationally recognized safety experts from nearly every corner of the industry, you can build the foundation you need to lead and discover new ways to keep workers safe, and design and implement corrective safety measures.

A minimum of 12 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
Fall AJuly 5August
Fall BAugust 31October
Spring ANovember 30 January
Spring BJanuary 31March
Summer AApril 5May
Summer BMay 31June

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
  • Achieved an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 overall to be granted clear admission
  • Submit official transcripts from the university that granted your baccalaureate degree

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to our college enrollment advisor today.

photo of jacob mobley

Jacob Mobley

Enrollment Advisor

859-622-2877
Jacob.Mobley@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Stories & Features

  • Gregory Matthew

    EKU Safety, Security & Emergency Management Graduate
    I loved my time with EKU. The quality of education was far above my expectations and continue to serve me today. Faculty were constant professionals and engaged in substantive dialogue to encourage us to think critically. Overall, this was an outstanding experience.

  • Robert Jury

    EKU Safety, Security & Emergency Management Graduate
    Great experience at EKU! Met a lot of great people, learned a lot about my field and myself during my time, great campus (especially in fall)! Overall my experience at EKU was great! From the co-op opportunity (while in the master’s SSEM program) I landed a great job! I felt prepared for the role and have done really well there.

  • Liam Shanahan

    EKU Safety, Security & Emergency Management Graduate
    Online masters program in SSEM was great and worked perfectly with my schedule. I have and will continue to recommend fellow firefighters and public safety personnel to attend EKU for graduate studies.

Quick Links

Upcoming Events

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News & Updates

Jessica Gutzwiller Honored with EKU’s Young Alumni Award

Jessica Gutzwiller, ’19, was awarded with the Young Alumni Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Young Alumni Award recognizes individuals who graduated from EKU in the last 10 years and have demonstrated exceptional talent in their professions.  Growing […]

$2 Million Investment from Gray Construction Strengthens EKU Construction Management Program

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) announced a $2 million endowed gift from Gray, a nationally recognized construction and engineering firm, to advance EKU’s Construction Management program and strengthen one of Kentucky’s most in-demand workforce pipelines.  The gift establishes an endowed professorship, funding a permanent faculty position in EKU’s Construction Management program. The endowed professorship will allow […]

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Contact Information

School of Safety, Security & Emergency Management

Stratton Building
Room 245
4453 Kit Carson Drive
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-1978
jus.dean@eku.edu

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