Degree – Master of Science in Applied Science and Technology, MS
Concentration: Homeland Security Management
Description of Program
The Master of Science in Applied Science and Technology in Homeland Security Management degree program prepares students to solve security issues and face threats as professionals for the local, state, and the federal government as well as the public sector. Experiences engage students in research, development, and analysis of security strategies critical agency infrastructures and their inter-relationships, team leadership and cooperative planning, as well as formulating and executing integrated, rapid responses to crisis situations.
Learning Outcomes
- Acquire knowledge to understand and communicate mathematics underlying relevant/appropriate research work in engineering, technology, and physical sciences
- Effectively use modeling tools/software tools, and implement algorithms on appropriate platforms such as math lab, C++, etc.
- Use project management tools effectively
- Write a technical report that meets advance program standards
Admission Requirements:
Students applying for entrance to the Master of Science in Applied Science and Technology are required to submit an application for admission, Apply Online (www.alcorn.edu/academics/graduate-studies).
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Career Goal Statement
- Official transcript from an accredited school (if a student has attended more than one school, transcripts must be submitted from all schools attended). At least one transcript must document the student has a bachelor’s degree. Some departments have additional requirements students must meet for admission.
- Immunization Record
Decisions are made only after receipt of all credentials by the department’s admission committee. The entire application packet, including all supporting materials, must be submitted to the Graduate School. Official test scores must be submitted from Education Testing Service (ETS) and must not be older than five years, official transcripts from the sending school, and Credential Evaluations (International students) from an approved Credential Evaluation Service.
Standardized Test:
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is the official standardized test required for admission to the Master of Science in Applied Science and Technology. WAIVED
Degree Requirements:
The curriculum for the Master of Science in Applied Science and Technology requires 36 credit hours of coursework and a thesis or non-thesis project for degree completion. An oral defense of the thesis or non-thesis required for progression to degree completion. Students complete 12 hours of required core credits, 6 hours of research course credits, and 18 hours of restricted electives.
Graduation expectations require the following:
- A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed in residence at Alcorn State University
- Earn no more than two Cs in coursework
- Write an acceptable thesis or non-thesis and defend it orally
- Official transcripts on file for all transfer credits accepted by the University
Academic advisors are allowed to accept up to six semester credit hours earned at an accredited university with a grade of “B” or higher for graduate coursework completed. Substitutions of coursework are allowed with the approval of an advisor and department administrators up to nine hours if the substitution(s) meet curriculum requirements.
See Transfer of Credits Policy for additional information.
See the Substitution of Courses Policy for additional information.
Academic Track: Thesis and Non-Thesis
The Thesis Track requires a scholarly manuscript of a topic of interest that has been thoroughly researched. Students work under the guidance of a graduate faculty researcher to produce a five chapter paper that is representative of a senior researcher. The Non-Thesis Track is a research project that consists of a three chapter proposal of a topic of interest. It is also guided by a university researcher in the student’s discipline.
Master Degree Audit:
Before candidacy for graduation can be confirmed, each student progression to degree completion will be evaluated to determine if student has met all academic requirements for course work and other aspects of the student’s course of study and Graduate School requirements. When these requirements are met, the student is cleared for graduation.
Time to Degree Completion
Alcorn’s time to degree completion policy allows 6 years to complete the homeland security management program. Degree completion depends on the pace a student completes the curriculum. If the time exceeds six years, the student must petition the Graduate School to consider an appeal for more time to degree completion.
See the Student Academic Appeals Policy for Expiration of Timeline for additional requirements
Degree Plan and Course Sequence
Thesis & Non-Thesis Plan
Core Courses (12 Hours)
ST 510 Research Methods in AS&T
ST 512 Mathematics for AS&T
ST 514 Computation in AS&T
ST 516 Project Management
Thesis Plan (6 Hours)
ST 610A Thesis A
ST 610B Thesis B
Non-Thesis Plan (6 Hours)
ST 599 Special Topics in Applied Science and Technology
ST 615 Project
Restricted Electives (18 Hours)
ST 550 Principles of Homeland Security
ST 552 Technology for Homeland Security
ST 553 Critical Infrastructure Analysis
ST 556 Emergency Management (Fifth Year Fall)
ST 5/6 Approved Electives (2)
For More Information Contact:
Dr. Jermiah Billa ▪ 601.877.6484 ▪ [email protected] (Department of Advanced Technologies)
Dr. Steve Adzanu ▪ 601.877.2346 ▪ [email protected] (Department of Advanced Technologies)