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The Homeland security department plays a crucial role in combatting natural disasters, global pandemics, terrorism, and security breaches on IT systems. America has been exposed to various security threats from domestic and international entities. It is pivotal for the state to have a host of individuals with the right emergency preparedness skills at hand in an era like this.
If you are looking to hone your graduate degree in homeland security and advance it to the master’s level, this is the time to do it. With the state tackling security concerns at multiple fronts, the need for individuals in leadership roles for the local, federal, or state security has increased drastically.
Homeland security emergency preparedness is an educational program focusing on crisis management. This unique program assists individuals to develop skills required by professionals in leadership roles to make the right decisions at the right time to avert unexpected emergencies.
Wondering whether pursuing a VCU homeland security masters degree would be beneficial? Read on to have a detailed insight into the usefulness of a master’s degree in homeland security. Also, the article sheds light on how your current career in the security department can get significant leverage through a master’s degree.
List Of Reasons
Why should you enroll in a master’s program once you have earned a bachelor’s degree? The question bothers many security professionals before starting a master’s program. If you think you are doing just fine after completing the graduate level. Then the master’s degree can prove to be a goldmine for your profession.
A master’s level homeland security professional has higher standing than his peers. Following is a list of reasons how this degree can be of benefit to you and your career
1- Widespread Job Opportunities
A master’s degree in homeland security will give you an immense employment opportunity. With a high demand for emergency preparedness professionals, you will have a pool of jobs to choose from after securing a master’s degree. With a professional master’s degree in homeland security, you also stand a chance for higher-earning job posts. Some of these job roles, along with an estimate of their earning potential, have been listed below:
- · Intelligence Analysts, which make an estimated salary of $ 69,502 per annum
- · Counterterrorism Analysts, which make an estimated salary of $ 89,500 per annum
- · Cybersecurity Analysts, which make an estimated salary of $75,712 per annum
- · Business Continuity Managers, which make an estimated salary of $95,510 per annum
- · Disaster Recovery Specialists, which make an estimated salary of $80,000 per annum
2- Enlarged Employment Scope
After a master’s degree, you are eligible for jobs in the private sector and within government agencies. The positions available for you in the public sector outnumber those the private sector offers in most instances.
These leadership posts put you in direct command of making and implementing policies to prevent unpredictable circumstances. Some of the prospective job posts with slight detail have been mentioned below.
Information Technology Specialist
Job Responsibilities: As an IT specialist working in the government sector, you would be expected to provide secure cloud computing solutions. Developing a secure framework for digital operations and ensuring protection for all computing software in use also falls under your domain.
Income Range: $90,621 to $117,810 per annum
Supervisory Program Manager
Job Responsibilities: This job post includes brainstorming for strategic issues and implementing policies. The scope of this post often cuts into other domains as well. Supervisory managers are responsible for analysis and recommendations to cut costs and amend processes.
Income Range: $117,191 to $152,352 per annum
Emergency Management Specialist
Job Responsibilities: Working in this sphere of responsibility, you will be required to look into all-natural disasters and emergencies. Forest fires, floods, radiation hazard incidents, oil spills, and terrorist attacks all come under the scope of this title. You will collaborate with other offices to handle the emergencies and map out policies to avert future incidents where possible.
Income Range: $74,596 to $115,313 per annum
Keep in mind that these opportunities are presented just at a glance. There are limitless possibilities within the public sector once you secure a master’s degree.
3- Stand A Class Apart
Earning a master’s degree in a program like homeland security and emergency preparedness can benefit you more than one way. You can, undoubtedly, have a higher potential and, hence an edge on your peers.
With a superior hold on decision-making and accurately polished crisis management skills, you will have a much better chance of landing competitive employment opportunities. You can climb up the professional ladder much faster, surpassing even your senior colleagues.
4- Hands-On Experiential Learning
You can have a great learning experience with only a year’s difference from bachelor-level professionals. A homeland security officer must know the scope of books. A master’s level program is designed to deliver just that.
A master’s degree will enable you to interact with professors having prior experience of working in homeland security. It will also help you to connect with classmates with similar professional backgrounds. Learning from first-hand experience can add a year’s worth of expertise under your hat within a few months.
Furthermore, a smaller class size is also beneficial for increasing interaction time within the course. The instructors can connect to each student individually and deliver better with a manageable class strength.
Conclusion
A Homeland security master’s degree is truly worth your effort. The program can easily fit into your work schedule with a comprehensive curriculum and supportive faculty. Master’s level programs also offer customizable class schedules to make the program more flexible for already employed individuals. It has the potential to boost your professional stature and streamline you into leadership roles. It is, without a doubt, the next step that is going to take you places. A homeland security master’s degree is the complete package!