Bachelor of Science - National Security Studies

Students completing the proposed NSS program will be well versed in the areas of homeland security, international security, and identifying terrorism and violent extremism - complex challenges facing the entire global community. The program will emphasize the application of theoretical perspectives to the multi-faceted security environment, as well as research methodologies to the analysis of real world problems. Graduates of the program will be competitively positioned for careers in all sectors of national defense, homeland security, and criminal justice, as well as prime candidates for advancement in their military careers. The Bachelor of Science in National Security Studies (NSS) major will cultivate analytical and critical thinking skills, open opportunities for career advancement, and prepare graduates for further academic endeavors. This major will foster opportunities for the general student body, active duty military personnel, and retired military personnel. The NSS program supports APSU’s Vision for fostering quality learning environments that “create a collaborative, integrative learning community, instilling in students’ habits of critical inquiry as they gain knowledge, skills, and values for life and work in a global society”. It also speaks to APSU’s mission “of raising the educational attainment of the citizenry, developing programs and services that address regional needs”. Housed within the Department of Criminal Justice, the current tenure track and adjunct faculty of that department have expertise in areas of homeland security, global security, terrorism studies, administration of justice, and policy analysis. However, as an interdisciplinary degree, the BS NSS program will draw upon the expertise of the faculty from various academic backgrounds. The program will draw upon the expertise of faculty in the following departments: Agriculture, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Public Management, Sociology, Psychological Science and Counseling, and Criminal Justice. As the program grows, APSU will add new faculty and complementary courses to enrich its offerings and reflect current trends in the discipline. As domestic and international security evolves and adapts to new challenges, the BS in National Security Studies will equip students with relevant knowledge applicable to careers in the field.