The Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management is for law enforcement, public safety, emergency first responders, and military personnel potentially interested in civilian security careers.

This certificate will familiarize students with threats to the United States, ranging from terrorism and natural disasters to climate change.

Program courses are led by industry experts with extensive experience in law enforcement and emergency management agency management.

Admission to this certificate program requires a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.

Current UCCS students wishing to pursue a graduate certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management must submit a Certificate Declaration to cps@uccs.edu. Students in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Criminal Justice programs may count graduate certificate coursework completed with a grade of B- or better toward their degree’s elective requirement, allowing certificate completion along with the MPA or MCJ program. Consult with CPS's graduate student services specialist or relevant program director to verify courses fit into your degree plan.

New students interested in pursuing a graduate certificate only must complete the online graduate application, select their intended certificate and pay the $60 application fee. An official transcript showing the undergraduate degree conferred should be sent to UCCS Admissions, 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, or electronically to gradapp@uccs.edu.

A Certificate Completion Application is required to be submitted upon completion of the required certificate courses and grades have been posted for the final course.  This form is located in the myUCCS student portal.  It is the responsibility of the student to notify the College of Public Service when they complete their graduate certificate.

Graduate certificate students may also become interested in enrolling in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program. Up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level School of Public Affairs coursework completed with a grade of B or better as an unclassified (non-degree) student may be applied to the MPA or MCJ upon admission, subject to degree plan requirements and program director approval.

Additional resources for Admissions:

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The certificate consists of five required courses totaling 15 credit hours of graduate coursework. A grade of B- or better is required in each course counting toward the certificate. Certificate students must maintain a 3.00 GPA once admitted to the certificate program. Please be advised that courses are typically offered alternately online and on campus, not concurrently. It is possible that pursuing a certificate fully online or fully on campus could take up to two years, depending on course availability.

• PAD 5950 / CJ 5950 - Emerging Threats
• PAD 5960 / CJ 5960 - Homeland Security & Emergency Management Administration
• PAD 5970 / CJ 5970 - Introduction to Intelligence Practice & Research
• PAD 5980 / CJ 5980 - Environmental Challenges & Human Security
• PAD 5990 / CJ 5990 - Intergovernmental & Public-Private Sector Coordination

Please see the UCCS Academic Catalog for course descriptions and more detailed program requirements.