Careers - MPA in Homeland Security - Anna Maria College Online

Master of Public Administration – Homeland Security Specialization

Devote Yourself to Protecting Others

Specialized knowledge of homeland security yields a wide variety of career opportunities for men and women who wish to keep the U.S. and its citizens safe. Those who work in homeland security are able to anticipate, prepare for and prevent a variety of disasters, which is why homeland security experts are employed with local, state and federal government agencies as well as private security companies and nonprofit organizations.

Anna Maria College’s Homeland Security MPA online curriculum provides students with the skills, knowledge and expertise needed to open up a variety of homeland security employment opportunities. In addition to a real-world curriculum that will make you a highly desirable candidate for jobs with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other government agencies or private organizations, our renowned faculty brings decades of combined field experience and can offer you insights and advice that will help you land a career in homeland security or advance your current position.

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Public Administration Career Requirements for Homeland Security

Applicants for homeland security roles must partake in extensive security clearances or background checks depending on the position and the agency applicants are applying to. Most homeland security jobs also require U.S. citizenship and successful completion of a drug screening and/or physical examination.

Appointments within the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies are made according to the government’s General Schedule (GS), which classifies jobs in order of pay scale and is generally related to education and/or experience. A master’s degree in homeland security or a related field can help applicants with little or no experience qualify for jobs in the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies.

Jobs within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Discover just some of the occupations found within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).¹ The list is not all-inclusive; there are many other occupations available:

To see a full list of all the department components of the DHS, click here.

Citizenship and Immigration Services

Asylum ofﬁcer
Immigration ofﬁcer

Customs and Border Protection

Border Patrol agent
Import specialist

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Federal coordinating ofﬁcer

Program specialist (ﬁre; national security; response, recovery, preparedness and mitigation)

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

Law enforcement specialist (instruction)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Detention and deportation ofﬁcer
Police ofﬁcer
Immigration enforcement agent
Security specialist

Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate

Protective security adviser
Intelligence operations specialist
IT specialist (information security)
Security specialist
Telecommunications specialist

Ofﬁce of the Inspector General

Auditor

Transportation and Security Administration

Criminal investigator
Intelligence operations specialist
Program and management analyst
Transportation security screener

U.S. Coast Guard

Contract specialist
Engineer

U.S. Secret Service

Criminal investigator

DHS Career Outlook

Although the Department of Homeland Security was only created in 2002, it employs more than 240,000 individuals and is one of the country’s largest federal agencies.¹ Because homeland security includes so many different fields, here is a look at the salary of a few key professions you can pursue with a Homeland Security MPA online from Anna Maria College:

Homeland Security Position	Average Salary²	Homeland Security Position	Average Salary²
Border Patrol Agent	$41,000	Coast Guard (Officer)	$68,000
Customs Specialist	$41,000	Program Analyst	$76,515
Immigration Officer	$44,000	Intelligence Officer	$82,728
Coast Guard (Enlisted)	$51,972	US Air Marshal	$82,728
Security Specialist	$65,496	Policy Analyst	$90,000
IT Specialist	$65,727	Cyber Security Specialist	$110,000

Where Do Homeland Security Officers Work, and What Do Homeland Security Officers Do?

Most homeland security officers work in the public sector for the government, typically in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In 2006, the DHS employed approximately 183,000 workers, making it one of the largest federal agencies.¹ However, careers in homeland security and emergency management are also available in nonprofit organizations and private corporations. The three largest industries that employ homeland security experts are:

Government Homeland Security Officers

Government homeland security officers usually work directly within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. They work at the federal, state and local levels to design and implement public safety procedures and national security and defense policies. Some examples of government homeland security officers include: Coast Guard officers, intelligence analysts, federal special agents, Immigration and Travel Security and border patrol officers.

Emergency Responders

Emergency responders help victims of natural or manmade disasters to recover. Emergency responders try to help the affected communities by making sure that critical business functions are still available to people in the event of a disaster. Individuals with graduate-level degrees in administration and leadership are needed for emergency management specialist positions to develop, implement and oversee emergency response efforts.

Private Industry Workers

Homeland security workers are also needed in the private industry, such as in fields of law enforcement, academia, tourism and travel, and information technology. Jobs are also available for those who can plan, build and manage roads and buildings. There are also homeland security employment opportunities within the nonprofit sector.

Learn More About the Career Outlook for Your Chosen Specialization

This master’s degree offers a variety of career-focused specializations that deliver nuanced skills that belong to a particular area of emphasis. You can explore career options with above-average salaries and growth rates for the different specializations by clicking on the below links.

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Sources

https://www.dhs.gov/about-dhs.
Salary Source Data: https://www.indeed.com/.