Credits and costs
Enhance Your Penn State Degree
Add a minor to get even more value out of your education.
Gain Specialized Knowledge
Earning a minor enables you to complement your major, pursue a personal interest, or explore a different field of study.
It is expected that there will be many opportunities for employment in security and protective services–related occupations in both the public and private sectors. If you are interested in gaining an understanding of homeland security issues to better position yourself for a career in homeland security, consider Penn State’s online minor in homeland security and defense.
The minor is open to all interested undergraduate World Campus students who meet the prerequisites and is most useful if you are majoring in criminal justice, political science, law and society, nursing, or organizational leadership.
Learn about homeland security and defense issues such as emergency management, homeland security policy, and the structure of homeland security operations. Grow your skills to better recover from, prevent, and respond to man-made and natural disasters in a multi-jurisdictional and multifunctional environment.
Courses
The 18 credits of course work can inform you about such career aspects of homeland and security defense as emergency management, security administration, border security, and critical infrastructure protection.
Prescribed Courses (9 credits)
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (select 9 credits)
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Costs and Financial Aid
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $620 per credit | $664 per credit |
| 12 or more | $7,527 per semester | $8,125 per semester |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
Admissions Help
Please work with your adviser if you have questions about adding a minor. You can find your adviser's contact information in your student portal or by calling advising at 814-863-3283.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admittance into the homeland security minor, you must:
- be a current Penn State undergraduate student in your fifth semester
- maintain a grade of C or better in all courses for the minor
- complete a minimum of 18 credits in homeland security and defense courses
- 9 credits of prescribed courses
- 9 credits of electives
Adding a Minor
If you have achieved fifth-semester standing (60 credits completed), you can apply for admission to the minor. To begin, please follow these steps:
- Talk with your academic adviser about incorporating the minor into your major and to develop a semester-by-semester plan for meeting requirements.
- Apply for the minor by adding it in LionPATH. You should do this as early as possible, but you can apply up to the late drop deadline of your graduating semester.
- You will receive a confirmation email once you declare the minor in LionPATH.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Homeland Security Minor, offered in partnership with the Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs, please contact:
For questions regarding how to apply, contact:
World Campus Advisers
Phone: 814-863-3283
[email protected]
For questions about the program, contact:
Melissa Forkey
Homeland Security Degree Base Program, Certificate, and Undergraduate Minor
School of Public Affairs
777 West Harrisburg Pike
160W Olmsted Building
Middletown, PA 17057
Phone: 717-948-6322
Fax: 717-948-6320
[email protected]