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In the homeland security area, there is considerable discussion about concepts such as all-hazards approach, emergency and disaster management, risk prevention and management, counter-terrorism, consequence management and consequence mitigation, and others.  Educators are still grappling with what makes up the various applied and research fields of study, and what are the academic disciplines inherent in this emerging field.

While terms and practices emerge some clarity is slowly becoming evident. For some of the areas within the homeland security arena, however, concepts are not so distinct that they can be studied independent of one another. For example, there is a spirited debate as to whether or not counter-terrorism is intrinsically the dominant theme of an all-hazards approach to risk management.  The Department of Homeland Security has adopted an all-hazards approach to incident planning and response, but there is considerable focus on preventing terrorist activity and preparing to respond to terrorist threats. 

Clear and definitive guidelines have not yet evolved in this emerging field and it is clear the subject is complex in theory and practice.  The immaturity of the field prevents consensus and accepted standards from emerging.  The fully developed degree program at APUS prepares students for the complexities of this field, along with preparation in a number of areas across the homeland security and emergency management spectrum.  In its degree programs, APUS takes an integrated approach that reflects this discipline in its current emergency state.

Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and general education level learning objectives, the Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security also seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. With reference to each of the respective areas of homeland security, graduates in this degree program will be able to:

• Examine the historical and evolving concept of homeland security within the broader political and national security system of the contemporary nation-state.
• Recognize the detailed mitigation, planning, response, and recovery phases to and from a homeland security incident.
• Differentiate among the various homeland security threats, to include those that are manmade, technological, and natural.
• Discuss the strategic, operational, and tactical threats presented by chemical, nuclear, and biological agents, to include agent characteristics and delivery systems.
• Distinguish among and assess the various homeland security approaches, techniques, and processes, such as analytics, indications, warnings, and forecasting.
• Explain the key administrative and command and control elements of the evolving homeland security relationships among the intelligence community; Department of Homeland Security; interagency processes and institutions; federal, state, and local intergovernmental relations; and a comprehensive U.S. homeland security strategy.