IHSEM Academic and Training Programs

The North Carolina Central University Department of Criminal Justice offers programs leading to both Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in Criminal Justice.

• The undergraduate curriculum provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the criminal justice system, explores theories explaining criminal behavior, and develops the research skills necessary to analyze contemporary issues in the field.
• The graduate curriculum builds upon this foundation, expanding students’ knowledge and analytical abilities to prepare them for advanced roles in supervision, investigation, and research.

Through its programs, the department is committed to educating traditional students and supporting workforce development by engaging individuals currently employed in the criminal justice profession.

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Prepare for leadership in security, emergency management, and resilience. The minor in Homeland Security at North Carolina Central University provides students with a multidisciplinary understanding of the complex threats and challenges facing communities, critical infrastructure, businesses, and governments in the 21st century. Through coursework that integrates homeland security, emergency management, infrastructure protection, transportation security, cybersecurity, and global security issues, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to support preparedness, prevention, protection, response, recovery, and resilience efforts.

This 21-credit-hour minor is designed for students who are interested in careers in homeland security, emergency management, law enforcement, intelligence, cybersecurity, public administration, transportation security, critical infrastructure protection, public health preparedness, and related fields. Students learn to analyze threats, assess vulnerabilities, evaluate security strategies, and understand the roles of local, state, federal, and private-sector partners in protecting the nation.

The program is administered through the Institute for Homeland Security and Emergency Management (IHSEM) and complements a wide range of academic majors across the university.

Program Requirements

Total Hours: 21 Credit Hours

Core Courses (12 Credit Hours)

Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all core courses.

• HLS 2750 – Introduction to Homeland Security (3)
• HLS 3200 – Emergency Management and Recovery (3)
• HLS 3500 – Infrastructure Protection (3)
• HLS 4200 – Transportation Security (3)

Elective Courses (9 Credit Hours)

Students must complete 9 credit hours from the following courses:

• POLS 3730 – Global Security (3)
• HLS 4210 – Corporate/Private Security (3)
• CSEC 2000 – Cybersecurity Fundamentals (3)
• CSEC 3000 – Cybersecurity Forensics (3)
• GEOG 2020 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)
• HLS 2850 – Introduction to Terrorism (3)

Important Note

Students may earn either the Homeland Security Certificate or the Homeland Security Minor, but not both.

Career Opportunities

The Minor in Homeland Security helps prepare students for careers and graduate study in areas such as:

• Homeland Security
• Emergency Management
• Intelligence and Analysis
• Transportation Security
• Critical Infrastructure Protection
• Corporate and Private Security
• Cybersecurity
• Public Safety
• Public Health Preparedness
• Government and Nonprofit Organizations

For complete program requirements and university catalog information, visit the NCCU Academic Catalog page for the Homeland Security Minor.

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Build knowledge and skills for a safer, more resilient nation. The certificate in Homeland Security at North Carolina Central University provides students with a focused foundation in homeland security principles, emergency management, critical infrastructure protection, and transportation security. Designed for students and professionals seeking specialized knowledge in security and resilience, the certificate equips participants with the analytical and practical skills needed to address emerging threats, manage risks, and support public safety efforts at the local, state, national, and global levels.

Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, students explore the policies, strategies, and operational frameworks used to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from natural disasters, technological hazards, terrorism, and other security threats. Coursework emphasizes the critical roles of government agencies, private-sector partners, and community stakeholders in safeguarding people, infrastructure, and essential services.

The Certificate in Homeland Security is administered through the Institute for Homeland Security and Emergency Management (IHSEM) and is ideal for students seeking to enhance their academic credentials, broaden career opportunities, or prepare for advanced study in homeland security and related fields.

Certificate Requirements

To earn the Certificate in Homeland Security, students must complete the following courses with a grade of C or higher:

• HLS 2750 – Introduction to Homeland Security (3)
• HLS 3200 – Emergency Management and Recovery (3)
• HLS 3500 – Infrastructure Protection (3)
• HLS 4200 – Transportation Security (3)

Total Hours: 12 Credit Hours

Who Should Pursue This Certificate?

The certificate is designed for students interested in careers or graduate study in:

• Homeland security
• Emergency management
• Public safety and emergency services
• Transportation security
• Critical infrastructure protection
• Intelligence and threat analysis
• Corporate and private security
• Government and public administration
• Public health preparedness
• Risk and resilience planning

Important Note

Students may earn either the certificate in Homeland Security or the minor in Homeland Security, but not both.

For complete program requirements and university catalog information, visit the NCCU Academic Catalog page for the certificate in Homeland Security.

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As a proud member of the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC), IHSEM offers MGT-406: Community Threat Group Identification, Assessment, and Information Reporting for Rural Law Enforcement Officers — a specialized training designed to strengthen preparedness and response to emerging security threats in rural areas.

This free, eight-hour management-level course is available both in person and virtually, depending on agency preference. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and analyzing threat groups that operate within rural communities, emphasizing the convergence of gangs, hate groups, and domestic and international terrorist organizations engaged in criminal enterprise.

Through MGT-406, participants will learn how to:

• Identify the criminal activities of community threat groups (CTGs) and networks affecting rural communities nationwide.
• Classify domestic and international CTGs by institutionalization, sophistication, and likelihood of convergence.
• Utilize suspicious activity reports (SARs) to effectively document and communicate observed threat behaviors in and around their jurisdictions.

The course is designed for state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement officers, as well as criminal justice and investigative professionals involved in the criminal intelligence process — particularly those responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting information that may evolve into actionable intelligence.

Special emphasis is placed on supervisory personnel who oversee staff with daily community engagement responsibilities. 

Eligible participants include, but are not limited to, law enforcement officers, crime analysts, investigators, supervisors, corrections officers, intelligence personnel, and fusion center staff.

If you are interested in hosting this course, please visit our Request a Course form and choose either the virtual (V) or in-person course.