Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

Academic Studies at a Federal Homeland Security Intelligence Undergraduate Academy

By Dean C. Alexander
July 1, 2009
In several recent articles in this magazine, we proposed the need to establish a federally run, full-time, resident, self-contained national academy—the U.S. Homeland Security Intelligence Academy (HSIA)—where students will be able to obtain an undergraduate degree in homeland security/intelligence studies coupled with garnering homeland security/intelligence-related practical and tactical skills. In addition, leadership development insights and a rigorous physical education program will be incorporated into other instruction and training at HSIA.
     
HSIA graduates will need a solid understanding of homeland security/intelligence studies and a myriad of other subjects in order to excel as intelligence analysts, in covert operations, doing counterterrorism, counterintelligence, emergency management, law enforcement, or otherwise.
     
We now turn to another component of the HSIA, namely, the key aspects of the open-source academic coursework. As HSIA’s mandate centers on the subjects of homeland security and intelligence studies, students will be focusing on these two themes. They will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security and Intelligences Studies.
     
Among other proposed academic courses to be offered at HSIA are disciplines ranging from history and political science to religion and economics, as well as criminal justice and law.
     
Given the need for foreign language skills for 21st century homeland security/intelligence professionals, it is expected that all students entering HSIA will be fluent in English as well as a second language. In addition, computer and technology skills will be enhanced through student immersion in these realms during regular coursework and in supplementary sessions.
     
In order to ensure that all graduates have a baseline of expertise in similar academic disciplines, a core set of classes will be mandatory.
     
The proposed courses to be offered at HSIA include:
  • Homeland Security: Survey of Homeland Security Organizations; Hazards and Disasters in Emergency Management; Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery
  • Terrorism: Overview of Terrorism; Domestic Extremist/Terrorist Groups; International Extremist/Terrorist Groups; Combating Terrorism
  • Intelligence: National Intelligence Community; Intelligence Analytical Methodologies; Intelligence and Domestic Security Strategies; Intelligence and National Security Strategies; Intelligence Collection, Assets, and Capabilities; Technology, Science and Intelligence; Covert Action
  • Foreign Language: Four years of foreign language instruction (from beginner through advanced, plus eight courses)
  • Law: Constitutional Law; Criminal Law/Procedure; Intelligence/National Security Law
  • Political Science: American Government and Politics; Comparative Government and Politics; Fundamentals of International Relations; U.S. Foreign Policy
  • Criminal Justice: Criminal Justice Organizations; Emerging Issues in Crime: Organized Crime and Cybercrime
  • History: U.S. History; World History
  • Religion: World Religions
  • Business: International Business
  • Economics: Micro/Macro-Economics
  • Geography: World Geography/Culture
  • Health Sciences: Emergency Medical Preparedness
  • Mathematics: Statistics
With a better appreciation of the main coursework to be offered at HSIA, a tentative baseline academic program during the four years includes:

Freshman Year
Fall Semester – U.S. History; American Government and Politics; Criminal Justice Organizations; Statistics; Foreign Language - Introduction A
Spring Semester – World History; World Geography/Culture; Constitutional Law; Comparative Government and Politics; Foreign Language – Introduction B
 
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester – Criminal Law/Procedure; Fundamentals of International Relations; World Religions; Micro/Macro-Economics; Foreign Language – Intermediate A
Spring Semester – Survey of Homeland Security Organizations; Overview of Terrorism; National Intelligence Community; U.S. Foreign Policy; Foreign Language – Intermediate B
 
Junior Year
Fall Semester – Domestic Extremist/Terrorist Groups; Intelligence/National Security Law; Intelligence and Domestic Security Strategies; Intelligence Analytical Methodologies; Foreign Language – Advanced A
Spring Semester – International Extremist/Terrorist Groups; Intelligence and National Security Strategies; Intelligence Collection, Assets, and Capabilities; Hazards and Disasters in Emergency Management; Foreign Language – Advanced B
 
Senior Year
Fall:  Combating Terrorism; Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery; Emerging Issues in Crime: Organized Crime and Cybercrime; International Business; Foreign Language – Advanced Plus A
Spring: Technology, Science and Intelligence; Covert Action; Emergency Medical Preparedness; Senior Thesis Seminar; Foreign Language – Advanced Plus A
     
Educating future homeland security and intelligence-focused professionals is the goal of HSIA. In focusing on homeland security/intelligence studies and other strategic disciplines, HSIA graduates will be well equipped to serve and protect the United States and its interests. As former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once stated, “Upon the education of the people of this country, the fate of this country depends.” This wise observation should guide HSIA in its future role in national and global security concerns. 

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Dean alexander 200px

Dean C. Alexander is Director of the Homeland Security Research Program and Professor at the School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration at Western Illinois University. He is the author of the new book, Family Terror Networks (2019), available at Amazon.com. He is also a valued member of Security’s Editorial Advisory Board.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Logical Security
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Pills spilled

More than 20,000 sensitive medical records exposed

Laptop in darkness

Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report shows rise in cyberattacks

Computer with binary code hovering nearby

Cyberattacks Targeting US Increased by 136%

White post office truck

Department of Labor Sues USPS Over Texas Whistleblower Termination

Internal computer parts

Critical Software Vulnerabilities Rose 37% in 2024

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

September 29, 2025

Global Security Exchange (GSX)

 

November 17, 2025

SECURITY 500 Conference

This event is designed to provide security executives, government officials and leaders of industry with vital information on how to elevate their programs while allowing attendees to share their strategies and solutions with other security industry executives.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Homeland Security: A Day Without Terrorists

    See More
  • us-capitol

    Family affiliated extremism and the siege at the U.S. Capitol

    See More
  • Security blog default

    COVID-19’s effects on policing

    See More
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing