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An alumnus: Regent offers a Terrorism and Homeland Defense certificate program online and in Virginia Beach.

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Terrorism & Homeland Defense

On Campus, Online
12
January 13, 2025
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The Certificate in Terrorism & Homeland Defense, offered online and on campus, can teach you to analyze policies central to our country’s prosperity and safety. You may earn a 12-credit (4 course) certificate of graduate studies in a targeted discipline, either to expand your degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Through this program, you will understand how to formulate plans for addressing the modern phenomenon of terrorism with a balanced, informed perspective and a Christian worldview.

  • Strengthen your understanding of terrorism, homeland security and crisis management to mitigate, prevent and respond to disaster.
  • Examine U.S. foreign policy and America’s role in the world today.
  • Explore the role of U.S. intelligence agencies in assessing foreign and domestic terror threats, developing effective counterterrorism strategies and thwarting terrorist aggression.

This certificate may help advance your career in intelligence, homeland security, state and local law enforcement, or the military by equipping you as an expert in your field.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

Featured Courses
GOV 605Christian Ethics & the Law of Armed Conflict3
Considers the nature of war and peace, including thought and practice from philosophical and religious viewpoints, with particular reference to the Christian tradition (e.g. just war theory) and the formal law of armed conflict. Cross-listed with LAW 560 and GOV 705.
GOV 609Critical Infrastructure Protection & Resilience3
Addresses the all hazard approach to critical infrastructure protection with a specific focus on cybersecurity and the use of cyber/IT tools in progressing concepts of risk management, mitigation, preparation, and response and recovery efforts. Includes current National Infrastructure Protection Plan Critical Infrastructure/ Key Resource Sector Specific Plans and the use of the Incident Command System in all hazard emergency management disaster response as per the current National Response Framework. Cross-listed with GOV 709.
GOV 625International Relations Theory3
Foundational seminar for graduate work in International Relations and International Security. Identifies and explains key methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of international relations theory, applies these methods and theories to specific practical aspects of international relations, and analyzes various IR theories and perspectives in light of a Christian world view. Cross-listed with GOV 725.
GOV 653Middle East Politics3
Political change and ideological trends in the Middle East after WWII. Explores the politics of state and nation building, the legacies of colonialism, the impact of nationalism, the development of civil society, the complications of oil wealth, the challenges of democracy, and the place of political Islam. Cross-listed with GOV 753.
GOV 660Intelligence & National Security3
Explores the role of the various U.S. intelligence agencies in assessing foreign and domestic terror threats, developing effective counterterrorism strategies, and thwarting terrorist aggression. Topics include intelligence collection and analysis, domestic vs. foreign intelligence, uses and limits of intelligence for counterterrorism, ethical issues in intelligence, and intelligence oversight and reform.
GOV 672Islamic Political Thought3
Presents the most influential threads of political thought and philosophy in the Islamic world from Muhammad and the Caliphate through modern Islamism. Topics examined include: The classical Caliphate, early modern Islamic empires, Sunni, Shia and Sufi conceptions of politics, Islamic revivalism and Islamism, Islamic finance, and religious freedom in Islam. Cross-listed with GOV 772.
GOV 677Terrorism & Homeland Defense3
Broadens individual understanding of the ever-changing nature of international terrorism and its consequences on American society at large. It covers the present-day US domestic and external responses to terrorism and focus on the rise of the US Homeland Security Agency. Also, there is a focus on trends in modern terrorism, especially the proliferation of WMD and what the US can do (or is doing) to counter such trends. Cross-listed with GOV 777.
GOV 678Crisis & Disaster Consequence Management3
Policies and procedures to mitigate, prevent and respond to disaster, the literature of risk, regimes for safety and risk reduction, the ethics of care and compassion, and mechanisms for measuring threat and recovery.
GOV 632International Security3
This course offers a comprehensive overview of the study of international conflict and security. The goal is to provide students with a solid theoretical and conceptual foundation for understanding the causes, nature, and consequences of key developments in international conflict and cooperation. Cross-listed with GOV 732.
GOV 689US Foreign Policy3
Historical development of US foreign policy principles; actors involved in creation of foreign policy, role of interest groups and special interests; economic aspects of US foreign policy and the role of ideology and religion; considers America’s role in the world today. Cross-listed with GOV 789.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session BFriday, October 11Monday, October 21
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session DFriday, March 7Monday, March 17
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12
Session FFriday, June 13Monday, June 23

The Certificate of Graduate Studies offers an excellent opportunity for those not requiring a master’s degree. This option is often used by those needing continuing education credits or for those who wish to complement their existing degree with additional training for career advancement. Upon completing the certificate, students have the option of applying to the master’s program, and if accepted, all courses taken toward the certificate transfer in.

Application Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Certificate of Graduate StudiesTuition Cost Per Credit HourTotal CreditsTuition Cost for Certificate
American Government$69512$8,340
Cyber Practitioner Preparation$6959$6,255
Cybersecurity Policy$69512$8,340
International Relations$69512$8,340
Law & Public Policy$69512$8,340
Middle East Politics$69512$8,340
National Security Studies$69512$8,340
Political Campaign Strategies & Management$69512$8,340
Public Administration$69512$8,340
Terrorism & Homeland Defense$69512$8,340

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Whether you are a prospective student or a current student, your questions matter. Please take a few moments to skim our Frequently Asked Questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us.

“All the time, when people hear I am studying public administration, they say, ‘Oh, we need more Christian leaders in government!’ It’s a perfect fit for Regent’s mission. And if you’re a Christian, you have something anchoring you to the decisions you make that affect an entire country.”

Sonya Mills, MPA, 2018 Human Resources Administrative Specialist, U.S. Department of Justice, Hawaii

“Your time in school, and certainly at Regent, molds how you think, molds how you approach things … Regent offers a serious academic environment that provides for growth in those areas.”

Chris Connelly, M.A. in Public Policy, 1998; Ph.D. in Communication, 2020 Chief of Staff, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler

“What distinguishes Regent from other graduate schools is the Christian application to public policy issues. My faith is more complete because I was able to integrate a biblical worldview with domestic and international political issues.”

Amber Sells, M.A., 2008

“Regent provided valuable internship experiences — from working for a Congressman to work in Iraq with the Kurdish government.”

Jennifer Salcido, M.A., 2012

“The Robertson School of Government was the perfect fit in obtaining a master's degree while serving active-duty. The online program gave me the flexibility I needed. This track of study will truly prepare and position you at the forefront of a rapidly expanding skillset within the federal government.”

Jonathan Tillman, M.A., 2010