Trident’s Homeland Security Associate Degree Online (ASHLS)
Work to develop your Homeland Security skills with an online Associate of Science in Homeland Security (ASHLS) degree program at Trident. With our fully online college degree program, you will enjoy convenience and flexibility as you:
- Explore how to use technological tools as an integral component of America’s emergency management enterprise working to ensure the successful prevention, protection, and mitigation of hazards to human life.
- Apply knowledge from a multidisciplinary context to make optimal real-world decisions.
- Study the homeland security terminology to communicate with interagency and others in the field.
- Apply appropriate interdisciplinary sources and quantitative skills as they relate to homeland security and emergency management natural and man-made scenarios.
- Prepare to make decisions and act in a legal and ethical manner in times of disasters.
More than 260,000 individuals are currently employed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security1. Agencies that hire Homeland Security educated practitioners include the U.S. Department of Labor, FEMA, U.S. Department of State, FBI, in addition to federal, state, or local law enforcement and private groups.
Online Homeland Security Degree Program Overview
The degree program begins with exploring the fundamentals and ethics of homeland security, moves to interagency planning, and ends with the HLS 230 course in which the student will submit original work that reflects an integration of most coursework topics. Security scenarios and disaster simulations which provide a sense of realism will be included in courses. The EdActive™ Learning Approach emphasizes learning that is structured on a case-based approach to ensure your education is well-suited for the real world.
Students study how our country’s Homeland Security organizations protect our domestic and international communities. The ASHLS fundamental program’s focus is on the integral component of America’s emergency management enterprise, working to ensure the successful prevention, protection, and mitigation of hazards to human life.
Our programs are designed to align with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Preparedness Goal (2015). Specifically, the five mission areas (1) Prevention, (2) Protection, (3) Mitigation, (4) Response, (5) Recovery. The ASHLS fundamental program’s focus is on the first three missions. FEMA is a part of DHS and an integral component of America’s emergency management enterprise, working to ensure the successful prevention, protection, and mitigation of hazards to human life. Students will explore how our country’s Homeland Security organizations protect our domestic and international communities.
ASHLS graduates can continue to advance their education by applying all of their earned ASHLS 60 credits towards Trident’s Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security program. Then may choose to continue their academic journey to become a Trident Triple and apply for the Master of Science in Homeland Security degree program.
See the Trident University Catalog for full descriptions of all program course offerings.
Your courses at Trident are industry-relevant. As an Associate of Science in Homeland Security student, you will take a variety of classes, including Humanities and Fine Arts; Quantitative Skills; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Criminal Justice, and Management.
The Associate of Science in Homeland Security program requires 60 credits for degree completion. You will take 44 semester credits of program core and general education coursework along with 16 credits of free electives. Students can to transfer-in up to 16 credits toward free electives.*
- A diploma or proof of graduation from an accredited or state approved high school, or its equivalent.
- At least 12 semester hours of transferable college credit or documented military training* as defined by Trident's transfer policy.
- Proof of English proficiency (international students only; see section on English Proficiency in the Trident University Catalog).
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 in all transferable coursework; Military students who have less than 12 semester hours of military experience must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all high school coursework.
If you plan to transfer-in potential credit, please review our transfer policy.
Did you know, you could potentially take fewer classes and shorten time to graduation by passing a Trident Challenge Exam**? Undergraduate students can demonstrate their knowledge and, if successfully passed, earn credit toward their degree. Talk to your Student Success Advisor about this and other Prior Learning Assessment opportunities!
*Proof of military service includes successful completion of basic training, documented in an official military transcript (JST, CCAF, etc.)
**The ability to reduce time in school and/or reduce tuition towards the full costs of a degree program depends on the number of Trident Challenge exams successfully passed. Trident Challenge exam credits are non-transferable. Not all programs are eligible for a reduction in time and money. Courses eligible are subject to change. Students should not rely on potential challenge exam savings or eligibility when making an enrollment decision.
The following standard transfer policies apply:
- Credits are considered for transfer from:
- Any regionally or nationally accredited college or university
- The American Council on Education (ACE)
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
- The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
- Excelsior
- Other non-traditional forms of learning as deemed appropriate by College Deans or designees.
- Decisions on the transfer of credits are ultimately at the discretion of the College Deans or designees.
- Students may formally appeal transfer decisions to the Provost or designee. Appeals must be submitted in writing and must be accompanied by supporting documentation or evidence such as a course syllabus.
- Students are urged to review the specific policy statement applicable to each degree program regarding maximum transferable credits to the program and concentration, or both.
- Transfer credits will not be included in the calculation of overall GPA.
Transfer students can review the full transfer credit policy in the Trident University Catalog.
Tuition cost for the associates program:
| Tuition type | per credit | per course | per year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $415 | $1,660 | $8,300 |
| Retired Military / Veteran / And Their Immediate Family Members** | $330 | $1,320 | $6,600 |
| Military & Immediate Family Members / Department of Defense Federal Civilian Employees** | $250 | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve U.S Military Service Members** | $250 | $1,000 | $5,000 |
*Assumes 20 credits transferred in and that student enrolls in an average of 20 credits per year for 2 years. **Tuition per credit represented with applicable military grant applied.
University Fees:
- Books and Supplies: $0
- Course Materials: $0
- Diploma Copy: $30 (optional)
- Food, Housing, and Transportation: N/A
- Graduation Fee: $150
- Official Transcript: $10
- Other Expedited Shipping Fees: varies based on region
- Payment Plan Set-up: $35-$55 (non-refundable)
- Student ID Card: $10 (optional)
- Technology Fee: $0
- Other fees may apply and are subject to change without advance notice.
Seeking more information on the cost of attending Trident? Visit Trident's Financial Aid Resources page where you will find financial aid tools including Trident's Net Price Calculator and Shopping Sheet, a guide to assist in early financial planning for college.
Want to save time & money on your degree? Receive credit for eligible past experience and military service with Trident Fastrac.* Click here to learn more.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible for transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Work to develop your skills in human services with Trident’s online Associate of Science in Homeland Security (ASHLS) degree program. ASHLS students study how our country's homeland security organizations protect our domestic and international communities. The degree program is designed to help students prepare to pursue a career path in the homeland security field. ASHLS graduates have the opportunity to continue to advance their education by applying their earned AS in Homeland Security credits towards Trident's Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security degree program.
Students in this degree program will study the ways in which America’s emergency management organizations coordinate to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond, and facilitate recovery following natural or human-caused disasters at home and abroad. They will study homeland security terminology needed to communicate with others in the field and explore how decisions are made during times of disaster.
Trident’s Associate of Science in Homeland Security (ASHLS) degree program requires 60 hours to graduate.
You may be eligible for transfer credit with provided official transcripts*.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
You can begin your education at Trident now. Classes at Trident begin monthly. Completion of the applications and admissions processes will depend on how quickly you begin.
Speak to an Admissions Advisor over the phone (1-800-579-3197) or request information online.
Once you have completed the online request, you may hear from an advisor within 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.
Trident offers flexible courses in a curriculum tailored to skills and tools utilized in the field of education today. In addition, it was developed for working adults. Trident evaluates military training and traditional academic credit to maximize potential credit transfer* as well as offering several non-traditional ways to earn academic credits that can accelerate your ability to meet graduation requirements. Degree candidates can pursue an education degree online, allowing the flexibility to study on their own schedules.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
1Department of Homeland Security at: https://www.dhs.gov/about-dhs (visited 9/22/2023)
