Advancing Careers in Public Safety and Strategic Security

Public safety professionals play a vital role in every community. From police departments and fire services to emergency management and cybersecurity, these roles often require a level of dedication and resilience that few truly understand.

But for many in the field, especially those looking to move into supervisory or leadership positions, experience alone is no longer enough. Credentials matter. Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security at National American University can help train students for those opportunities.

“Our students come to us with real-world experience, but they want more. They want the skills, tools and education that allow them to lead,” said Dr. Susie Kuilan, lead faculty member at Henley-Putnam. “They want to rise into roles where they can shape policy, train others or manage entire operations.”

Henley-Putnam’s programs are fully online and designed with flexibility in mind. Students can choose from undergraduate, graduate or doctoral programs in areas like Intelligence Management, Strategic Security and Protection, and Terrorism and Counterterrorism Studies. Each program is designed to meet the needs of working adults who want to earn a degree while continuing their careers.

Dr. Barbara Burke, the school’s dean, said the programs are ideal for professionals looking to step into leadership positions without relocating or taking time away from their jobs.

“We see students across South Dakota and beyond who are working full-time and raising families,” Burke said. “They know that advancing their education can open doors, but they need a format that works with their lives. That’s what we provide.”

For police officers, first responders, military reservists and even corporate security professionals, these credentials can help turn on-the-ground experience into leadership opportunities. Whether the goal is a promotion, a shift into the intelligence community or a transition into federal or private-sector roles, the training offered through Henley-Putnam is structured to support those ambitions.

“It’s not just about earning a degree,” Kuilan noted. “It’s about training to become the kind of leader others rely on in moments of crisis and complexity.”

To explore academic programs that support professional growth in public safety, intelligence and national security, visit national.edu.