Order of the Sword & Shield
The Academic and Professional Honor Society
for all Homeland Security Disciplines
Ex Scientia Pax - "Out of Knowledge comes Peace"
Student membership in the Order of the Sword and Shield National Honor Society is open to any undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled in a Homeland Security, Homeland Defense, Intelligence, Emergency Management, Cyber or Information Security, or Protective Security Studies Program. Some programs in the Protective Security field include the following (this is not a complete listing):
- Homeland Security and Homeland Defense
- Emergency Management and Disaster Management
- Intelligence Studies and Intelligence Analysis
- Cybersecurity and Computer Systems Security
- Information Assurance and Information Security
- Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience
- National Security and Defense Studies
- Terrorism and Counterterrorism Studies
- Criminal Justice and Criminology
- Law Enforcement and Police Administration
- Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services
- Public Safety and Emergency Services Administration
- Public Administration
- Risk Management and Risk Analysis
- Business Continuity and Organizational Resilience
- Corporate and Organizational Security
- Security Administration and Management
- Physical Security and Security Systems
- Protective Security and Protection Management
- Executive and Personal Protection
- Loss Prevention and Asset Protection
- International Security, Conflict, and Peace Studies
To qualify, each of the following criteria MUST be satisfied at the time of induction: Please note that some schools have different criteria. If this is the case, your school will have a dedicated electronic application form below. If your school does not have its own application form, you are to use the general student application form and all of the below criteria will apply.
Once qualified, we invite you to apply for student induction.
There are 2 ways to submit your application for student induction: (please note that we no longer accept mailed submissions)
____________________________________________
Electronic Student Induction Application Forms. Please use the proper electronic application form.
General Student Induction Application: (for all schools not listed below)
American Military/Public University Student Induction Application: (for AMU or APU students ONLY)
University of Phoenix Student Induction Application: (for UOP students ONLY)
Western Governors University Student Induction Application: (for WGU students ONLY)
Please note that there is a one-time membership application fee of $75, which covers lifetime membership upon approval. Once we receive your completed application and payment, we will begin the application review process, which may take several weeks, particularly during our busiest induction periods. Your order confirmation serves as acknowledgment that your online application and payment have been received. Due to the volume of applications received, we cannot provide individual application status updates. If your application is incomplete or additional information is required, the National Office will contact you. Should your application be denied for any reason, your application fee will be refunded in full.
Applicants attending institutions without an official chapter of the Order of the Sword & Shield National Honor Society (OSSNHS) may apply independently and, upon approval, will be inducted into the Society's National Chapter. Applicants attending institutions with an established chapter will be inducted into their institutional chapter. Members should consult their Chapter Coordinator regarding any locally organized induction ceremonies or recognition activities.
Email and Social Media Communications
The Order of the Sword & Shield National Honor Society uses email and social media, particularly LinkedIn, as its primary methods of communicating with applicants and members. These channels are used to share official Society announcements, membership information and materials, chapter news, professional development opportunities, membership benefits, and other matters related to the Society's mission and activities.
By submitting a membership application, applicants acknowledge and agree to receive periodic electronic communications from OSSNHS throughout their lifetime membership. These communications may include information about membership services, Society activities, professional opportunities, organizational developments, and other information relevant to OSSNHS and its members.
A valid and accessible email address is required for all membership applications. Applicants and members are responsible for providing accurate contact information and keeping their email address current to ensure the timely receipt of official membership correspondence and materials. Members may unsubscribe from optional Society email announcements at any time using the unsubscribe link provided in those communications. Unsubscribing from optional communications does not affect an individual's lifetime membership status or prevent the Society from sending essential administrative correspondence directly related to that membership.
Members are also encouraged to follow the Society's official LinkedIn page for additional news, announcements, professional opportunities, and organizational updates.
Important
Due to heavy application volume, we cannot provide individual application status updates. Your online order confirmation serves as notification that your application and payment have been received. If additional documentation or information is required, the National Office will contact you directly.
For additional information or questions, please contact the National Office at membership@ossnhs.com.
No applicant shall be denied membership because of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
1. Submit your electronic online application below. This method is fast, easy, and confidential. We accept electronic online applications on a continuous rolling basis all year long. Your school does not need to have an official chapter to use this method.
1. Completion of ONE HALF (1/2) of the total number of credits required for your overall program, including completion of ONE HALF (1/2) of all credits in the Homeland Security, Intelligence, Emergency Management, or Protective Studies A.S., B.S., Minor, Masters, Doctoral, or Certificate program; and
2. Have achieved an overall 3.25 (undergraduate) or a 3.50 (graduate) cumulative GPA or higher (on a scale of 4.0) for ALL CREDITS, including transfer credits, or be in the top 20% of your class standing; and
3. Submit all required information, supporting documents with references, and appropriate fees.
Please note that your school does not need to be a charter member for you to be granted membership in the Society. If your school is not a charter member, however, you will not be allowed to participate in any officially sanctioned induction ceremony. Your name will be included in a National Ceremony and your certificate package will be mailed to you.
Student Eligibility and Application for Induction
Joining the Order of the Sword & Shield
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