Description of Program

The Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security is developed in partnership with the Institute of Homeland Security; the Center for the Study of Criminal Justice and the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education.

The graduate certificate is designed for students to gain a broad understanding of homeland security issues from a criminological framework. By completing the certificate, students will understand the complexities of today’s security environment and be prepared to use their knowledge in a number of security related fields. Following a broad overview, content includes the legalities of terrorism, the collection of and use of intelligence, weapons used by terrorists, organizations involved in terrorism/homeland security at every level of government, and counter-intelligence & counter-terrorism. The graduate certificate student gains an intensive knowledge of homeland security principles and applications for different fields including: law, criminal enforcement, terrorism and counter-terrorism analysis and infrastructure protection.

Admission Requirements

Students applying for the graduate certificate program must meet the grade point average entrance requirements of the Center for the Study of Criminal Justice. A bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the last two years of undergraduate study from an accredited institution is required. Other graduate admissions test such as the GRE or Miller will not be required for the certificate program, however should a student wish to transfer from the graduate certificate program into the criminal justice graduate program (Master of Science in Criminal Justice ), tests such as those aforementioned may be a pre-requisite prior to enrollment.

Applicants who want to be considered for the Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security Studies must submit to the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education:

1. An application for admission;
2. Undergraduate transcripts;
3. Two letters of recommendation describing the individual’s potential to complete the program.

Students may transfer the following credits into the certificate program:

• CRJU 0698 - Special Topics
   : Counter-Terrorism
• CRJU 0698 - Special Topics
   : Homeland Security

Students may not transfer any credits (other than those aforementioned) to the Graduate Certificate from other existing programs.

Graduate Certificate Program Curriculum:

The graduate certificate program in homeland security requires 15 credit hours at the graduate level, some of which may be applicable to other graduate programs at Westfield State University.

Certificate Completion Requirements

Students must complete the five courses (15 credit hours) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to earn the certificate. A student who receives a grade of F or two grades below B- may be barred from further enrollment in graduate courses.

Students must complete the Graduate Certificate Program within six years; certificate students may move toward completion at their own pace within this time period. In order to remain a certificate student, the student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.

It is strongly recommended that students consult with the advisor for the Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security Studies.

Admission to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Students who complete the certificate program or who may wish to continue on for the master’s degree in Criminal Justice must apply to the Center for the Study of Criminal Justice and meet the admission requirements of both the Center for the Study of Criminal Justice and the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education (GCE).

It is imperative for certificate students to note the following:

Acceptance to and completion of the graduate certificate program does not imply acceptance into the Criminal Justice master’s degree program. Students who are accepted as degree candidates may have 12 of the 15 credit hours [not CRJU 0644 ] earned in the graduate certificate program applied to the degree, if a grade of B or better is achieved in each course.