Online Homeland Security Degree | Start Your BS at CCU

Earn Your Homeland Security Degree Online — Built for the Professionals Who Need It Most

The field of homeland security demands professionals who understand complex, high-stakes systems — terrorism, cybercrime, disaster management, intelligence, foreign policy, and the intersection of law enforcement and national security. California Coast University's Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security is designed to give you that foundation, delivered 100% online, at your own pace, with no campus requirements and no set class times. Whether you're already working in a related field or building toward a career in security and public safety, CCU's online homeland security degree was built for professionals who can't put their lives on hold to go back to school.

About CCU's Online Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security

The Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security at California Coast University is designed to provide a solid foundation in the history, theory, research, best practices, and factors shaping the homeland security field today. The program challenges students to develop an applied understanding of the present state of the field and the future trends driving it — through coursework covering homeland security, criminal behavior and investigation, terrorism, cybercrime, forensics, leadership and organizational behavior, disaster planning, security management, intelligence, counterintelligence, and foreign policy.

The program consists of 42 total courses and 126 semester units, structured across three areas:

Why CCU's Online Homeland Security Degree Works for Working Professionals

The people most likely to pursue a homeland security degree are often the ones whose schedules make traditional programs nearly impossible — law enforcement officers, military personnel, government employees, emergency management professionals, and security practitioners who work demanding, often unpredictable hours. CCU's program was built with exactly those students in mind.

Admissions: A Straightforward Process

Gaining admission to CCU's online homeland security degree program is a straightforward process. To be admitted, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Hold a high school diploma, GED, or its equivalent from a U.S. educational institution

No SAT or ACT scores. No entrance exams. No letters of recommendation required. Prospective students whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must demonstrate college-level proficiency in English through TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

Tuition for the Online Homeland Security Degree

CCU's commitment to accessible education extends to how the program is priced. Tuition for the Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security is $170 per unit. With 126 total semester units in the program, your investment is transparent and predictable from the day you enroll.

Your tuition rate is locked in at enrollment and will not increase as long as you remain in good academic and financial standing within the same program. Students who do not remain in good standing are subject to new tuition rates upon reinstatement. A 10% discount is available for active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, U.S. government employees, CCU graduates, and corporate partner employees (employment or status verification required, for students enrolling after 1/1/2026; retroactive discounts will not be applied and cannot be combined with other offers). Many students also receive tuition reimbursement through their employer — check with your HR department.

The CCU Difference: 50+ Years of Experience and Faculty Who Bring the Field Into the Classroom

California Coast University was founded in 1973 with a mission rooted in access and practicality — delivering quality higher education to people whose professional responsibilities, geographic circumstances, or personal commitments made traditional campus-based learning impractical. For over five decades, CCU has served working adults, military personnel, law enforcement officers, first responders, government employees, and others who need a credential that fits around the demands of the work they're already doing.

CCU holds institutional approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California and is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) — listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency — and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

What sets CCU's homeland security program apart is not just how it's delivered — it's who teaches it. CCU's faculty are professionals with demonstrated, real-world expertise in their respective fields, selected specifically for their ability to bring applied, practitioner-informed knowledge into the courses they teach. This means the homeland security degree students earn at CCU is shaped by instructors who understand the realities of the field from the inside — not simply from academic study. The result is an education grounded in the kind of critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and practical application that matters in security-related work. The School of Criminal Justice is led by Dr. Mohamad Khatibloo, who brings a highly diverse background spanning both academia and the private sector.

Where Can a Homeland Security Degree Take You?

The homeland security field is broad, dynamic, and growing. Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security are prepared for roles across a wide range of public safety, security, intelligence, and government settings — at the local, state, federal, and international level. Common areas include emergency management, security management, intelligence analysis, law enforcement, border protection, cybersecurity support, and government and military roles related to national security. CCU graduates who choose to continue their education also receive a 10% tuition discount when re-enrolling in any program (for students enrolling after 1/1/2026; retroactive discounts will not be applied and discounts cannot be combined with other offers).

Frequently Asked Questions: Online Homeland Security Degree at CCU

What is included in CCU's online Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security?
The program consists of 42 total courses and 126 semester units, divided equally across 14 core courses, 14 general education courses, and 14 elective courses. Core coursework covers homeland security, terrorism, criminal investigation, computer forensics and cybercrime, criminal behavior, forensic science, disaster planning and management, crisis negotiation, security management, intelligence and counterintelligence, foreign policy, leadership, organizational theory and behavior, and research methods.

What are the admission requirements for the online homeland security degree?
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent from a U.S. educational institution. No entrance exams, SAT scores, or letters of recommendation are required. Prospective students whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must demonstrate college-level proficiency in English through TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

How does the self-paced online format work?
There are no live sessions, no required login times, and no weekly deadlines. You work through your coursework independently at whatever pace fits your schedule. Each course requires a minimum of two weeks before the final exam can be requested. The program requires a proctor to administer the final examination for all core and general education courses. Elective courses may also be assigned a proctored final examination. The proctor is selected by the student and approved by the University — typical examples include a job supervisor, co-worker, librarian, or member of the clergy. A proctor cannot be an immediate family member, someone who resides with you, or a current or former CCU student. Immediate family is defined as: spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and/or grandchild.

Can I start the program at any time?
Yes. CCU's open enrollment means there are no semester start dates, application cycles, or enrollment windows. You can apply and begin your online homeland security degree at any point during the year. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

How much does the online homeland security degree cost?
Tuition is $170 per unit. The program consists of 126 total semester units. CCU offers three interest-free payment plans: Plan A is $500 down and $150/month; Plan B is $300 down and $175/month; or pay the full balance at enrollment. No interest is charged and no credit check is required, however past due payments will be assessed a past due fee.

Can I transfer previous college credits into the program?
Yes. CCU accepts transfer credit from U.S. Department of Education-recognized accredited institutions. Bachelor's degree students may transfer up to 93 applicable semester units, provided courses were completed with a grade of C (2.0 GPA) or higher and are applicable to CCU's degree plan.

Can I receive credit for professional training or military experience?
Yes. Documented professional training completed through an employer, the military, a licensing body, or another verifiable source may qualify for elective credit in the program. Bachelor's degree students can potentially satisfy up to 10 elective courses through specialized training credit — a savings of up to $5,100. Students have 45 days from enrollment to submit documentation for review.

Does CCU offer financial aid for the online homeland security degree?
CCU does not participate in federal financial aid programs. However, the university accepts VA Benefits, MyCAA benefits for eligible military spouses, and company-paid tuition vouchers. Many students also receive tuition reimbursement through their employer — check with your HR department to find out what may be available.

Is CCU's online homeland security degree accredited?
Yes. CCU is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CCU also holds institutional approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California.

What is the academic calendar for California Coast University?
CCU utilizes rolling 16-week terms beginning approximately every three to four weeks, enabling continuous, year-round enrollment. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Begin Your Online Homeland Security Degree Today

The work of protecting communities, institutions, and national security doesn't stop — and neither should your education. CCU's online Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security gives professionals in security, law enforcement, emergency management, the military, and government the flexibility to earn a meaningful, accredited degree without stepping away from the work they're already doing. No campus. No fixed schedule. No waiting for the right semester to begin.

VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Questions? Call Admissions at 1-888-228-8648 or Students at 1-714-547-9625

California Coast University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CCU holds Institutional Approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California.