Homeland Security and Terrorism

Tiffin University’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice in Homeland Security & Terrorism was developed as a direct response to the real security threats posed by transnational terrorist organizations. Protecting the citizens of our nation is as real as it gets.

The need for college graduates with a grasp of the complexities associated with homeland security and terrorism is clear. This innovative major affords you the chance to hone your professional interests while acquiring traditional skill sets needed to succeed in the 21st century.

As part of your program, you’ll learn about the complexity and challenges of terrorism and emergent threats. You’ll examine the purpose of domestic and foreign intelligence, and the role of intelligence in conducting domestic and foreign national security operations. You’ll critically assess homeland security problem-solving strategies. And, you’ll learn how to use leading methodologies to address ever-changing security challenges.

Professional Homeland Security Training

As a graduate of the Homeland Security & Terrorism program, you’ll leave with the knowledge and career-ready skills to:

• Devise problem-solving strategies, using state, local and national instruments of power for foreign, domestic and natural threats to homeland security.
• Understand and work within the environment of social, economic, legal, ethical, technological and political interdependencies of homeland security.
• Understand public, private and non-profit institutional roles and responsibilities of homeland security.
• Work effectively within and understand dilemmas of collaborative networks.
• Utilize critical thinking and analytical skills as they apply to research and practical application of criminal justice concepts.

Instructors in the Homeland Security & Terrorism program bring significant and current experience in protective services occupations. Their experiences add richness to your understanding as they apply real-world examples of current professional practice to academic content.

Tiffin University is a member of University Agency Partnership Initiative (UAPI), which represents over 300 colleges and universities offering a degree in homeland security. Our curriculum design was strongly influenced by UAPI documents and member schools, representing a national, practitioner-based perspective in homeland security education.

A Practical, Professional Education

• All of our homeland security faculty have backgrounds working directly in the field. Instructors use their professional experiences to inform their teaching.
• The homeland security curriculum links knowledge with current professional practice.
• You’ll acquire the same professional training certificates earned by homeland security practitioners.
• As a graduate of the program, you’ll be well positioned for many federal positions as well as positions at the state and local levels.
• The breadth of understanding gained in the program will enable you to make an immediate impact in your chosen field.

In the Homeland Security & Terrorism program, you’ll engage with other students in robust content discussions, examining current events and historical events, as well as research and practices within the field.

As part of a practitioner-focused program, you’ll also take part in projects involving real-world applications. Group work within the program occurs often and replicates the cooperation needed for success as homeland security leaders.

Tiffin University students have formed a Global Affairs Organization (GAO) to promote interest on campus in national and homeland security issues. The GAO has arranged field trips, created a 9/11 commemoration, hosted an electronic SWAT training, and visited campuses of such national figures as then-CIA Director Porter Goss, former National Counterterrorism Center Chief John Brennan, FBI National Security Chief Willie Hulon and recruiters and other visitors from Washington.

Ohio Police Officer Training Academy (OPOTA)

To be a sworn police officer in Ohio, you must successfully complete the Ohio Police Officer Training Academy (OPOTA). Tiffin University partners with Terra State Community College to include the cost of the academy in tuition and can be earned in just one semester.

This unique training academy is state mandated for all police officers and covers firearms, legal administration, human relations, traffic, patrol, driving, subject control, investigations, civil disorder, physical conditioning and other aspects of law enforcement. Students apply direct, hands-on practice in the crime lab, firing range and police cruisers. With experienced, certified instructors and hands-on application, our students consistently achieve passing rates on the state-certified exam. Once graduates of the program earn the certification, they are immediately eligible for full-time employment.

Core Curriculum of the School of Criminal Justice = 18 hours

Homeland Security & Terrorism Major = 42 hours

• ENF154 Homeland Security Overview – 3 hours
• ENF212 Concepts of Terrorism – 3 hours
• ENF240 Critical Infrastructure – 3 hours
• ENF245 Emergency Organization and Management – 3 hours
• ENF293 Criminology – 3 hours
• FOR310 Threat Assessment – 3 hours
• HIS312 History of the Middle East – 3 hours
• POL151 Introduction to National Security Studies – 3 hours
• POL225 Introduction to Intelligence Studies – 3 hours
• POL400 The Constitution, Liberty, and Order – 3 hours
• PSY101 Introduction to Psychology – 3 hours
• POL491 Capstone Senior Seminar in Homeland & National Security – 3 hours
• PSY344 Psychology of Terrorism – 3 hours
• SOC265 Peace and Social Justice – 3 hours

Total – 42 hours

This a sample course sequence to illustrate course offerings for this major. Consult the official Academic Bulletin for detailed registration and advising information.

SAMPLE COURSES

Homeland Security Overview (ENF154) – The course presents an introduction to the public and private sector dimensions of the theory and practice of homeland security at the national, regional, state and local level. The perspective will include an overview of the administrative, legislative, and operational elements of homeland security programs and processes, including a review of homeland security history, policies and programs. The student will examine, in general, terrorism and the intelligence issues that support homeland security operations.

Concepts of Terrorism (ENF212) – This course provides an introduction into the theories explaining terrorist behavior. It will examine the questions of what constitutes terrorism, terrorist groups and what economic, social, religious and other issues lead to the conduct of groups like al Qaeda. Additionally, students will be required to think critically about how terrorist groups form, what makes them disband and how knowledge is transferred among groups and group members. Further, it will cover the history and development of the term “terrorism” and the development of modern terrorism in practice.

Emergency Organization and Management (ENF245) – Every level of government bears responsibility for emergency response. A systematic analysis of the public agencies and an overview of organizations involved in homeland security will be covered in this course. Topics such as threat assessment, risk analysis, incident management systems, coordinating with supporting agencies, response procedures, the planning function, coordinated government efforts, crime scene operations, prevention strategies, response protocols, evacuation, medical support and conducting an effective follow-up analysis will all be covered. This class will prepare the student with information necessary to respond to terrorist acts.

FORMAT

On Campus – Offered in a 15-week semester format with start dates of January and August

Online – Offered in two terms per semester starting in January, March, May, July, August and October

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, jobs in the protective are expected to grow 3% from 2019-2029. Homeland security is a diverse degree that allows students to choose from multiple occupations related to the field.

CAREERS

• Detective and Criminal Investigator
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Federal Law Enforcement Officer
• Information Security Analyst
• Local Law Enforcement Officer
• Office of Inspector General
• Security and Emergency Preparedness Professional
• State Law Enforcement Officer
• U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
• U.S. Secret Service

WHERE TU GRADS HAVE WORKED

While it is extremely competitive to obtain such appointments, TU alumni have gone on to careers in these agencies:

• Department of Homeland Security
• Law Enforcement
• Military
• State Homeland Security
• State of Ohio
• Transportation Security Administration
• U.S. Secret Service

Tiffin University brings in instructors that have the education and the experience to pass on to our students.  Our instructors come from Toledo Police Department (OH), Perrysburg Police Division (OH), Norwalk Police Department (OH), Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office (OH), Wayne County Sheriff’s Office (OH), Lucas County Sheriff’s Office (OH), Weirton Police Department (WV), United States Secret Service, United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, Ohio Army National Guard, and Ohio Air National Guard.   Our instructors have held roles as homicide detectives, crimes against person detectives, internet child pornography detectives, command officers, general detectives, chiefs of police, special agents, undercover narcotics agents, military police officers, road patrol officers, federal task force members and homeland security agents.