Homeland Security (A.S.)

Study homeland security at JCC

The A.S. degree in Homeland Security from Jamestown Community College prepares you for careers in government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations focusing on safety, security, and emergency preparedness. The program is especially beneficial if you are planning to work in intelligence and/or state and federal law enforcement positions.

The Homeland Security program features specialized training in intelligence analysis and advanced terrorism studies alongside research, briefing, writing, and public speaking skills. You’ll participate in hands-on experience, like classroom simulations and mock oral argument sessions, while you learn from faculty with real-world experience.

Graduates of JCC’s A.S. Homeland Security program who transfer to earn their bachelor’s degree or higher will have a range of career opportunities, including positions as special agents, data analysts, and intelligence officers with governmental, private, and non-profit agencies. If you choose to enter the workforce immediately after graduation from JCC, you can pursue opportunities with sheriff and police departments and state police agencies.

2023 median pay for protective service occupations: $47,760/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where to study at JCC

Criminal justice skills

After you complete the program, you will be able to:

  • Analyze the history and nature of key homeland security concerns including terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, among others.
  • Demonstrate understanding of constitutional and ethical concerns in intelligence gathering and analysis, law enforcement, and other important areas of homeland security.
  • Understand the roles of government agencies and their collaboration in homeland security efforts.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the key elements of sound research, writing, and briefing practices.

A future in homeland security

As a graduate of JCC’s Homeland Security program, you’ll be a competitive applicant for the local employers. If you choose to transfer and continue your education, you’ll have a range of career opportunities nationally including positions as special agents, data analysts, and intelligence officers. Career opportunities are not limited to government agencies, with a growing number of private companies and non-profit organizations seeking employees skilled in research and analysis as well.

The following occupations can be found within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The list is not all-inclusive; there are many other occupations in the department.

  • Citizenship and Immigration Services: asylum officer, immigration officer
  • Customs and Border Protection: border patrol agent, import specialist
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency: federal coordinating officer, program specialist (fire; national security; response, recovery, preparedness, and mitigation)
  • Federal Law Enforcement Training Center: law enforcement specialist (instruction)
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement: detention and deportation officer, police officer, immigration enforcement agent, security specialist
  • Information Analysis and Infrastructure
  • Protection Directorate: protective security advisor, Intelligence operations specialist, IT specialist (information security), security specialist, telecommunications specialist
  • Office of the Inspector General: attorney, auditor
  • Science and Technology Directorate: biological scientist, chemist, computer scientist, engineer, physicist
  • Secretarial Offices: human resources specialist, policy analyst
  • Transportation and Security Administration: criminal investigator, intelligence operations specialist, program and management analyst, transportation security screener
  • U.S. Coast Guard: contract specialist, engineer
  • U.S. Secret Service: criminal investigator

Semester 1

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

CRI 1510: Intro to Criminal Justice

3
JCC
  • Applied Learning

Elective

1

PSY 1510: General Psychology or

SOC 1510: Introduction to Sociology

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
  • Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

Natural Sciences Elective

Recommended:

BIO 1510: Health Science

3
SUNY
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
SUNY
  • Humanities
JCC
  • College Composition

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC
  • Critical and Integrative Reasoning
  • Engage with the Learning Center early on for math and English tutoring.
  • For proper sequencing of Homeland Security curriculum, it is important to work with your faculty advisor.
  • Make sure you understand the SUNY GenEd and JCC requirements for the degree program.

Semester 2

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

CRI 1560: Homeland Security

3

CRI 1600: Intro to Intelligence Studies

3

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
SUNY
  • Written & Oral Communication
JCC
  • College Composition
  • Oral Communication

Mathematics Elective

Recommended:

MAT 1500: Problem Solving w/Mathematics

3
SUNY
  • Math
JCC
  • Mathematical Reasoning

Elective

Recommended:

ANT 1520: Intro to Cultural Anthropology or

HIS 1510: World History before 1500 or

HIS 1520: World History since 1500 or

SOC 1510: Intro to Sociology

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
  • Social Sciences
  • World History and Global Awareness
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
  • Global Perspectives
  • For proper sequencing of Homeland Security curriculum, it is important to work with your faculty advisor.

Semester 3

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

CRI 2580: Introduction to Terrorism

3

CRI 2550: Ethics in Criminal Justice

3

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

CRI 2570: Organized Crime or

CRI 2610: White Collar Crime or

CRI 2660: Advanced Terrorism Studies or

CRI 2670: Intelligence Analysis for Homeland Security

3

Social Sciences Elective

Recommended:

SOC 2540: Deviant Behavior or

SOC 2580: Race and Ethnicity or

PSY 2560: Abnormal Behavior or

PSY 2580: Forensic Psychology or

POL 1510: American Politics

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences

Elective

Recommended:

CMM 1610: Public Speaking

3
SUNY
  • Arts
JCC
  • Applied Learning
  • Work with advisor or Success Center for transfer options.

Semester 4

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

CRI 2680: The Constitution and Homeland Security

3

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

CRI 2570: Organized Crime or

CRI 2610: White Collar Crime or

CRI 2660: Advanced Terrorism Studies or

CRI 2670: Intelligence Analysis for Homeland Security

3

Elective

Recommended:

ANT 1520: Intro to Cultural Anthropology or

HIS 1510: World History Before 1500 or

HIS 1520: World History Since 1500 or

PSY 1510: General Psychology or

SOC 1510: Intro to Sociology

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
  • Social Sciences
  • World History and Global Awareness
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
  • Global Perspectives

Elective

Recommended:

ASL 1510: Introductory Sign Language I or

SPA 1510: Introductory Spanish I

3
SUNY
  • World Languages
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding

Elective

3
  • For proper sequencing of Homeland Security curriculum, it is important to work with your faculty advisor.
  • Apply for graduation.