The application period is now open for several prestigious Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) programs. Both civilians and military members are encouraged to apply.
All costs – tuition, books and travel – will be covered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Preparedness Directorate (FEMA).
Through graduate and executive-level coursework, seminars, and research, homeland security leaders gain the analytic and critical thinking skills and substantive expertise they need to create innovative solutions that address the threats facing the nation and local communities. The programs also prepare leaders to bridge gaps in intergovernmental, interagency and civil-military cooperation by bringing together a diverse range of participants to share perspectives and lay the foundation for long-term homeland security collaboration.
Master’s Degree Program
The CHDS Master’s Degree Program focuses on building collaboration among local, tribal, state and federal leaders who develop strategies, plans and programs to prepare and respond to national security threats and catastrophic events. This 18-month program requires two weeks of residency per quarter, in either Monterey, Calif. or Potomac, Md. The remainder of the work is completed online.
- Eligibility: GS-12 - GS-15, O3 - O6, SES or equivalent. Exceptional GS-11s mayapply. Federal employees who have been with DHS for at least one year are eligible to apply.
- Application Deadline: Nov. 12, 2020, midnight
- Program Duration: April 2021 through September 2022 in Monterey, Calif., or June 2021 through December 2022 in Potomac, Md.
- Learn more here.
Pacific Executive Leaders Program
The Pacific Executive Leaders Program is a graduate-level education curriculum, to address specific challenges facing officials in these unique areas. The program consists of an intensive one-week in-residence session at the University of Hawaii campus in Hilo.
- Eligibility: GS-12 - SES, O4 - O6. Must be stationed in the Alaska, Guam or Hawaii region. Federal employees who have been with DHS for at least one year are eligible to apply.
- Application Deadline: Nov. 12, 2020, midnight
- Program Duration: One week, Dates TBD.
- Learn more here.
Executive Leader Program
The Executive Leader Program consists of four one-week in-residence sessions over a 12-month period. Each session is held at the CHDS campus in Monterey, Calif.
- Eligibility: GS-15, O5 - O6, SES or equivalent. Any individual who has completed a degree under a DHS Graduate Academic Program within the last three years is not eligible to apply. Federal employees who have been with DHS for at least one year are eligible to apply.
- Application Deadline: Midnight on Dec. 17, 2020 (Cohort 2021)
- Program Duration: Twelve months, dates TBD
- Learn more here.https://www.chds.us/c/academic-programs/elp/
How to Apply
Both civilians and active duty members must: