Department of Criminal Justice
Homeland Security Minor
Build expertise in homeland security, terrorism, global cybersecurity, international affairs, and contemporary security challenges while adding a focused 18-hour minor to your undergraduate degree.
18
Credit Hours
A focused academic credential that complements a wide range of undergraduate majors.
Add a Security-Focused Credential to Your Degree
Homeland security is no longer limited to a single agency or profession. Contemporary security challenges intersect with law enforcement, emergency management, cybersecurity, intelligence, public administration, transportation, critical infrastructure, international affairs, and private-sector risk management.
Tarleton’s Homeland Security minor gives students an interdisciplinary foundation for understanding how governments and organizations prepare for, prevent, investigate, and respond to threats that may cross jurisdictional, technological, and national boundaries.
The minor can complement a Criminal Justice degree, but it can also add a security and preparedness perspective to majors in areas such as public administration, political science, cybersecurity, computer science, business, sociology, psychology, and related fields.
Security + Technology + Policy
Study security problems through legal, organizational, technological, and international perspectives.
Why Is Homeland Security Important?
Modern threats rarely remain confined to one institution or one type of expertise. Effective security professionals must understand physical threats, terrorism, cyber risks, international dynamics, intelligence, organizational coordination, and the policy environment in which decisions are made.
Understand Emerging Threats
Examine terrorism, cyber threats, transnational security concerns, and evolving risks to communities and institutions.
Think Across Agencies
Learn why effective security requires collaboration among local, state, federal, international, and private organizations.
Connect Policy and Practice
Explore how laws, policies, technology, intelligence, and organizational decisions influence real-world security operations.
Where Can You Use a Homeland Security Minor?
The minor can strengthen preparation for careers and graduate study in organizations where security, intelligence, preparedness, technology, policy, and public safety intersect.
Public Safety & Law Enforcement
Local, state, and federal agencies; intelligence units; fusion centers; investigations; and public-safety operations.
Cybersecurity & Intelligence
Cyber-threat analysis, intelligence research, information security, investigative analysis, and technology-focused security roles.
Emergency & Government Operations
Emergency preparedness, continuity planning, public administration, disaster coordination, and intergovernmental operations.
Private & Corporate Security
Corporate security, risk management, critical infrastructure protection, compliance, investigations, and organizational resilience.
BUILD A BROADER SECURITY PERSPECTIVE
What You Will Study
- Homeland security policy and strategy
- Domestic and international terrorism
- Cybercrime and cyberterrorism
- Information warfare and cybersecurity policy
- Emergency management and mass-casualty response
- Interagency coordination across local, state and federal government
- Comparative and international criminal justice
- International politics and global security
18 CREDIT HOURS
Homeland Security Minor Curriculum
Complete three required courses and select three additional courses for a total of 18 semester credit hours.
REQUIRED CORE
9 Credit Hours
CRIJ 3340
Homeland Security
CRIJ 3341
Terrorism
CRIJ 4353
Global Cyber-Security
ELECTIVES
9 Additional Credit Hours
CRIJ 3308
Comparative Criminal Justice
CRIJ 4384
Seminar: Special Topics in Homeland Security
POLS 3308
International Politics
Course availability and degree applicability may vary by semester. Students should consult their academic advisor when planning the minor.
Featured Faculty
Learn from faculty whose academic and professional experience connects directly to policing, homeland security, terrorism, cybercrime, intelligence, and international criminal justice.
Dr. William “Casey” Heath
Professional Assistant Professor
Dr. Heath’s teaching interests include homeland security, international terrorism, intelligence-led policing, criminal investigations, supervision and management, and criminal justice policy.
His academic background is complemented by extensive law-enforcement experience, including service as a patrol officer, investigator, patrol sergeant, firearms instructor, field training officer, and intelligence-led policing practitioner.
Email: heath@tarleton.edu
Phone: 254-968-9279
Office: O.A. Grant Building, Room 358
Dr. Kevin Wang
Associate Professor
Dr. Wang’s research and teaching expertise includes cybercrime, information technology in criminal justice, policing, comparative justice, and police-community relations.
His scholarship includes research on law-enforcement collaboration in combating cybercrime, online crime, policing in international contexts, and the relationship between technology and criminal justice.
Dr. Wang is also a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar and brings an international and comparative perspective to contemporary security and criminal justice issues.
Email: kwang@tarleton.edu
Phone: 817-484-4426
Office: Building 1, Fort Worth, Room 335
Ready to Add the Minor?
An academic advisor can review your degree plan, determine how the Homeland Security minor fits with your remaining electives, and help you identify the best semester to begin.
Current students may also use EAB Navigate to identify and schedule with their assigned academic advisor.
Office of Academic Advising
Stephenville / General Assistance:
254-968-9746
advising@tarleton.edu
Department of Criminal Justice
254-968-9024
Looking for a Different Minor?
Tarleton offers a wide range of academic minors. Explore additional options and find the credential that best supports your degree and career goals.
Build Security Expertise Into Your Degree
Add focused coursework in homeland security, terrorism, cybersecurity, and international security while expanding the range of skills you bring to your future career.