Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management

The Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management is designed for law enforcement, public safety, and emergency first responders, as well as military personnel potentially interested in civilian security careers. This certificate will familiarize students with threats to the United States, ranging from terrorism and natural disasters to climate change. Classes are taught by recognized experts, with extensive practical experience in leadership positions at law enforcement and emergency management agencies.

Admission to this certificate program requires a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited university with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better

Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management Brochure

Eligibility

Admission to this certificate program requires a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited university with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.

The certificate consists of five required courses totaling 15 credit hours of graduate coursework. A grade of B- or better is required in each course counting toward the certificate. Certificate students must maintain a 3.00 GPA once admitted to the certificate program. Please be advised that courses are typically offered alternately online and on campus, not concurrently. It is possible that pursuing a certificate fully online or fully on campus could take up to two years, depending on course availability. Find more about upcoming course schedules. Please see the UCCS Academic Catalog for course descriptions and more detailed program requirements.

• PAD 5950 / CJ 5950 - Emerging Threats
• PAD 5960 / CJ 5960 - Homeland Security & Emergency Management Administration
• PAD 5970 / CJ 5970 - Introduction to Intelligence Practice & Research
• PAD 5980 / CJ 5980 - Environmental Challenges & Human Security
• PAD 5990 / CJ 5990 - Intergovernmental & Public-Private Sector Coordination

Application Process

Current UCCS students wishing to pursue a graduate certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management must submit a Certificate Declaration to spa@uccs.edu. Students in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Criminal Justice programs may count graduate certificate coursework completed with a grade of B- or better toward their degree’s elective requirement, allowing certificate completion along with the MPA or MCJ program. Consult with SPA’s graduate student services specialist or relevant program director to verify courses fit into your degree plan.

New students interested in pursuing a graduate certificate only must complete the online graduate application, select their intended certificate and pay the $60 application fee. An official transcript showing the undergraduate degree conferred should be sent to UCCS Admissions, 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, or electronically to gradapp@uccs.edu.

Graduate certificate students may also become interested in enrolling in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program. Up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level School of Public Affairs coursework completed with a grade of B or better as an unclassified (non-degree) student may be applied to the MPA or MCJ upon admission, subject to degree plan requirements and program director approval.

The cost of completing this graduate certificate may be estimated using the UCCS Estimate your Bill tool. Students are eligible to apply for financial aid.

Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires us to provide information about each of our certificates. Read Disclosure on Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.