Find the right t ºÚÁÏÉçÇø degree, concentration, or certificate for your professional and educational goals. Use the compare option to decide between multiple programs of interest.
Homeland Security Leadership
Master of ScienceThese program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2026–2027 academic year.
Secure a foothold in an important career field by earning a Master of Science in homeland security leadership at University of Maryland Global Campus. Study the emerging technologies, key infrastructures, and intelligence frameworks that protect the country against both natural and human-made threats. UMGC's convenient online classroom stresses flexibility and allows you to earn your degree on your own schedule, while our expert faculty members help equip you with skills that modern employers are looking for. Ready to take your first step into the future? Apply today.Â
Program Highlights
- Learn crisis communication: Develop the skills, strategies, and tactics needed for managing crisis communications to ensure effective decision-making and communication in high-pressure, diverse situations.Â
- Develop leadership strategies: Develop and apply collaborative strategies for leading, managing, and coordinating homeland security operations within both the public and private sectors.Â
- Evaluate ethics: Evaluate the laws, authorities, regulations, and ethical considerations of current policies to determine potential solutions for homeland security issues. Â
- Assess cyber threats: Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills in assessing cyber threats and the associated roles of cyber intelligence, cyber operations, and regulatory compliance.Â
- Analyze technology: Analyze the impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning and their impact on intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination to support homeland security operations.Â
- Research emerging threats: Research and assess current and emerging threats and risks, including human and natural disasters.Â
Required Courses
This program requires a total of 30 credits. Â
Core CoursesÂ
- (3 Credits, MSHS 600)Â Â
- (3 Credits, MSHS 610)Â
- (3 Credits, MSHS 620)Â
- (3 Credits, MSHS 630)Â
Specialization CoursesÂ
Take three courses (9 credits) chosen from the following courses. While not required, we recommend you complete an entire set of courses in one of the listed subject areas.Â
Emergency Management Â
- (3 Credits, MSHS 660)Â
- (3 Credits, MSHS 662)Â
- (3 Credits, MSHS 664)Â
Homeland SecurityÂ
- (3 Credits, MSHS 650)Â
- (3 Credits, MSHS 652)Â
- (3 Credits, MSHS 654)Â
Intelligence Operations Â
- (3 Credits, MSHS 671)Â
- (3 Credits, MSHS 672)Â
- (3 Credits, MSHS 674)Â
Electives (6 credits)Â
Take one of the following sets of courses:
- MSHS 686 and one of the specialization courses listed above
- Two of the specialization courses
Capstone CourseÂ
- (3 Credits, MSHS 690)Â
Career Preparation
This program is designed to prepare you to apply advanced homeland security leadership theory in real-world settings, strengthening your leadership, analytical, and decision-making capabilities to address complex security challenges and advance in the field.
Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
While not required for admission to the program, we expect you to have experience in the homeland security sector. Experience in a homeland security-related environment—such as emergency management, intelligence, risk assessment, or crisis response—may enhance your ability to engage in meaningful, project-based learning. Prior experience applying critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills in complex organizational settings may also be valuable.
Total Program Credits
30
Transfer Credits
Up to 12
Format
- All courses available online
Tuition Per Credit
- $555 per credit (in-state)
- $659 per credit (out-of-state)
- $336 per credit (military)
- Other fees may apply
Admission Requirements
This program follows standard UMGC admission requirements.Â
Military-Specific Details
This program does not have military restrictions. It is available to all eligible civilian and military-affiliated students.
State-Specific Details
This program does not have state-specific restrictions.
Public Safety Leadership 
Master of ScienceThese program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2026–2027 academic year.
Build contemporary leadership skills for today’s public safety challenges with an online master’s degree in public safety leadership. Develop a foundation of knowledge in public safety ethics, decision-making, organizational management, strategic planning, communications, and more. You’ll learn under the tutelage of experienced faculty members while benefiting from the flexibility of our streamlined online classroom. Ready to advance your career? Apply today! 
Program Highlights
- Promote integrity: Apply ethical frameworks and principles to common decision-making scenarios in public safety leadership to promote an organizational culture of integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making.  Â
- Make informed decisions: Analyze the weight and sufficiency of evidence to make informed, evidence-based decisions that prioritize public safety and organizational effectiveness. Â
- Optimize resources: Integrate contemporary leadership and management strategies to optimize operations, resources, and personnel. Â
- Communicate effectively: Design advanced communication strategies to effectively lead public safety organizations.Â
Required Courses
This program requires a total of 30 credits.
Core CoursesÂ
- (3 Credits, MSPS 600) Â
- (3 Credits, MSPS 610) Â
- (3 Credits, MSPS 620) Â
- (3 Credits, MSPS 630)Â
Elective Courses
You'll need to take 15 credits of electives, chosen from the selection below. Please keep an eye on this program page as we are expected to add more course options to this category in upcoming terms.
- (3 Credits, MSPS 650)
- (3 Credits, MSPS 652)
- (3 Credits, MSPS 654)
- (3 Credits, MSPS 660)
- (3 Credits, MSPS 662)
Capstone CourseÂ
- (3 Credits, MSPS 690) Â
Career Preparation
This program is designed to help you enhance your knowledge, skills, and abilities in the public safety profession. Potential job titles you could achieve with a master’s in public safety leadership include police or fire chief, public safety director, as well as careers in EMS, corrections, and school safety and security.Â
Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
While not required for admission to the program, we expect you to have experience in the public safety field. Experience in public safety administration is beneficial.
Total Program Credits
30
Transfer Credits
Up to  12
Format
- All courses available online 
Tuition Per Credit
- $555 per credit (in-state)
- $659 per credit (out-of-state)
- $336 per credit (military)
- Other fees may apply
Admission Requirements
This program follows standard UMGC admission requirements. 
Military-Specific Details
This program does not have military restrictions. It is available to all eligible civilian and military-affiliated students. 
State-Specific Details
This program does not have state-specific restrictions. 
Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation
Master of ScienceThese program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2026–2027 academic year.
Advance in your career with an online master’s degree in digital forensics and cyber investigation from University of Maryland Global Campus. This career-relevant online master’s degree program may help provide you with the key skills employers are seeking. Study in a convenient online classroom with knowledgeable professors who have hands-on working experience in the cybersecurity industry. Access course materials that are available as no-cost electronic resources for most courses in this program, so you can save money on textbooks. Start gaining knowledge you can apply on the job right away and apply today! 
Program Highlights
- Communicate effectively: Communicate clearly in writing and speaking, meeting expectations for content, purpose, organization, audience, and format.
- Make decisions: Use mathematical information, operations, and quantitative analyses to solve problems and inform decision-making.
- Follow procedures: Interpret and follow laws, policies, procedures, and governance in digital forensic and incident response situations.
- Use digital tools: Demonstrate the appropriate use of multiple digital forensic tools and technologies in a variety of criminal and security breach situations and in preparing reports and presenting findings.
- Design strategies: Design and implement strategies for proper seizure, evidence handling, investigation, analysis of digital artifacts, preparation of reports, and presentation of findings.
- Apply ethical frameworks: Apply proper professional, legal, and ethical frameworks to govern forensic activities in local, national, and global environments.
- Assess information: Assess information architecture for potential security threats and evidentiary value.
- Obtain knowledge: Obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to master various functions of cybersecurity technology, including tools and systems.
Required Courses
This program requires a total of 30 credits. You’ll take 15 credits of core courses, 12 elective credits, and a 3-credit capstone.
Core Courses
- (3 Credits, DFCS 605)
- (3 Credits, DFCS 615)
- (3 Credits, DFCS 625)
- (3 Credits, DFCS 635)
- (3 Credits, DFCS 645)
Elective Courses
Take four 3-credit elective courses (outlined under Select Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation Elective Courses) for a total of 12 credits.
Capstone Course
- (3 Credits, DFCS 690)
Career Preparation
This program is designed to help prepare you for work in government organizations, the private sector, and law enforcement agencies in the areas of computer and digital crime. Potential job titles within specific digital forensics and cyber investigation careers include cyber defense forensics analyst, cyber defense incident responder, systems security analyst, law enforcement/counterintelligence forensics analyst, and information security analyst.
Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
We recommend having a background in computing and programming for this program. Strong writing skills are also encouraged.
Total Program Credits
30
Transfer Credits
Up to 12
Format
- All courses available online
- Select hybrid courses available
Tuition Per Credit
- $694 per credit (in-state)
- $694 per credit (out-of-state)
- $336 per credit (military)
- Other fees may apply
Admission Requirements
This program follows standard UMGC admission requirements.
Military-Specific Details
This program does not have military restrictions. It is available to all eligible civilian and military-affiliated students.
State-Specific Details
This program does not have state-specific restrictions.