Homeland Security Online Degrees & Certificates

American Military University offers online degrees and certificates in the growing field of homeland security.  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.  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.  However, American Military University has been a leader in the dynamic field prior to the 9/11 tragedy and our courses are taught by experts with hands-on field experience.

Graduates from our online bachelor’s, online master’s, and online certificate programs can find opportunities in both the public and private sectors at the local, state, and federal levels in law enforcement, emergency services and administration, business intelligence operations and analysis, defense, counter-terrorism, risk assessment, threat analysis, cyber warfare, border security, disaster management, and port security, to name just a few of the many growing industries.

Student Spotlight

Dwayne L., B.A., Homeland Security
Washington D.C.

Despite his demanding career as a federal government technician in D.C. and raising three children with his wife, Dwayne wanted to better serve his country by staying sharp with his education. At AMU, Dwayne found a homeland security program that met his specific career needs, faculty with real field experience, relevant and current topics, and classmates that shared his passion for service. What matters most to Dwayne is the flexibility of AMU’s eight-week courses, enabling students to accelerate degree paths and schedule classes around long-term commitments. Dwayne especially values the practical knowledge he is gaining, enabling him to move his hometown’s status to “storm ready”, based on his knowledge from an emergency management course. “Right now, I’m building a foundation for my future,” he says. “After I graduate, I will always be proud to say that I passed through the ranks at AMU.”

Faculty Spotlight

Christopher M. Reynolds
Program Director
Ed D: Argosy University

Chris is a Shift Commander/Division Chief with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (Tampa, Fl) over the busiest engine and rescue companies in the Tampa Bay area. He holds a doctorate in educational (Ed.D) from Argosy University (Sarasota). Additionally, he has a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University (Alabama), bachelors in public safety from Eckerd College (Florida).

Dr. Reynolds is a Florida state certified paramedic, fire officer, fire officer instructor, fire inspector, and fire inspector instructor. He is also a board certified emergency manager (CEM) through the International Association of Emergency Managers. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program and numerous command courses. He also holds the Chief Fire Officer Designee (CFOD) from the Commission on Fire Officer Accreditation.

He is also a Lieutenant Colonel select in the United States Air Force Reserve, stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Chris is assigned to the United States Air Force North/ National Security Protection (NSEP) Directorate at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida as an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer(EPLO). His prior assignment was as an aeromedical evacution operations officer assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. His Team was activated under the Presidential Partial Mobilization order issued shortly after September 11th attacks and deployed to the Afghanistan/ Pakistan theater in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Chris served as the OIC of an Aeromedical Evacuation Liaison Team at two forward operating bases and was responsible for tactical evacuation of coalition and US casualties. They were the only Aeromedical evacuation capability in the immediate area and directly supported combat search and rescue operations. Most recently, he deployed to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, where he commanded an Aeormedical Evacution Liaison Team.

Dr. Reynolds served on the state board of directors for the Florida Fire Chief's Association and chairman of the state training committee. He also served on the state disaster response committee and assisted in the development of the Florida Statewide Disaster Response Plan in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. In addition to his Fire-Rescue and military careers, Dr. Reynolds teaches emergency management, fire science, weapons of mass destruction, and anti-terrorism/force protection courses. He is also frequently requested to deliver programs at state conferences and professional association seminars in the areas of disaster management, homeland security and force protection.