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2023 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degree Guide

The field of Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting is an important one and has been in high demand since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This field allows you to be trained in a variety of national defense areas, preparing you for work protecting your country and fellow citizens.

There are a few different majors you can pursue in this field. Criminal Justice and Corrections will teach you about prison life, drug trafficking, and law, preparing you for work with criminals and the reformation system. A major in Fire Protection will provide training on preventing and stopping fires. You can also choose to major in Homeland Security in order to learn how to prevent and respond to threats and crisis internationally and domestically.

An Increase in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees

#12 Most Popular Major
143k Degrees Awarded
1.1% Increase in Graduates

In 2020-2021, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting was the 12th most popular major nationwide with 142,610 degrees awarded. This represents a 1.1% increase in homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 141,046.

Our 2023 Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking analyzes 892 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students. Explore this or one of our many other custom homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting rankings further below.

2023 Best Colleges for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
2023 Overall Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Colleges >

Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools by Degree

Associate Degrees in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
Bachelor's Degrees in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
Master's Degrees in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
Doctorate Degrees in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

Requirements for Getting a Degree in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

Leadership skills will help you during your training and in a future career. In a time of crisis, citizens will count on you to keep them safe. You must be able to respond quickly and appropriately in emergency situations and thrive when under. Interpersonal skills will help you work with all types of people of different ages and backgrounds. Be ready to listen to the concerns and advice of others, and also be able to explain laws and policies.

Most of the classes in this field are centered on science, math, government and law. Students should be comfortable with their math and science skills and ready to discuss potentially controversial subjects in the classroom. This rigorous major may also include physical training to prepare you to react in dangerous situations.

Prior Education for a Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Program

New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting program qualifications, to serve in some homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.

Types of Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degrees

There are many different homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degree levels. You can get anything from a in homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting to the highest homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degree levels is shown below.

Degree Credit Requirements Typical Program Length
Associate Degree 60-70 credits 2 years
Bachelor’s Degree 120 credits 4 years
Master’s Degree 50-70 credits 1-3 years
Doctorate Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation At least 4 years

A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting, with approximately 32.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting tend obtained the following education levels.

Level of Education Percentage of Workers
Bachelor’s Degree 29.6%
High School Diploma 23.1%
Some College Courses 12.9%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) 12.4%
Post-Secondary Certificate 10.1%

About 58.6% of workers in careers related to homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting obtain at least associate degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting careers have.

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The education level required is different depending on the homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting career you are seeking.

Career Opportunities for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Majors

Above Average Number of Jobs
$37.3k Average Starting Salary
8% Growth Job Outlook 2016-26

Depending on your major focus, you will be able to work in numerous fields. Graduates find work in fields like fraud detection, medicine, human resources, civil rights, intelligence, science and technology, facilities, and procurement. You will also be prepared for law enforcement careers in the areas of border security, head of state, protection of the President, interagency law enforcement training, and infrastructure security. If interested in prevention and response careers, you can find jobs protecting the public and the environment as a U.S. Coast Guard member or firefighter. Some career choices may require additional education or training.

Growth Projected for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Careers

Want a job when you graduate with your homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degree? Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting careers are expected to grow 7.7% between 2016 and 2026.

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting.

Occupation Name Projected Jobs Expected Growth
Accountants and Auditors 1,537,600 10.0%
Managers 1,071,700 8.0%
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers 731,900 7.0%
Correctional Officers and Jailers 415,500 -7.7%
Child, Family, and School Social Workers 362,600 14.2%

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degree Salary Potential

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $37,312 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $9,524 to as high as $125,347. As you might expect, salaries for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

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Highest Paid Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Careers

Salaries for homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting grads often go into.

Occupation Name Median Average Salary
Managers $115,590
Information Security Analysts $102,470
Computer Workers $93,350
Police and Detective Supervisors $93,100
Financial Examiners $90,310

Getting Your Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degree

With over 7,255 different homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting school rankings to help you with this.

Study Areas in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Criminal Justice & Corrections 113,121
Fire Protection 13,766
Homeland Security 7,140
Security Science and Technology 6,888
Other Homeland Security 1,695

View All Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Related Majors >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Public Administration & Social Service 98,583
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies 73,813
Legal Professions 61,055
Military Technologies & Applied Sciences 4,477

View All Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Related Majors >

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