Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security

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Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security

We serve professionals in the security industry by increasing their opportunities in the fields of intelligence, counterterrorism, and strategic security.

Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security is named after Colonel David Henley and General Israel Putnam, two intelligence officers who served under General George Washington in the American Revolutionary War.

10/07/2026

Faculty Spotlight: Professor Praveen Abhayaratne

Sometimes the best measure of great teaching comes directly from the student experience.

After completing Political and Leadership Analysis (INT580), NAU student Michael Bowser shared his appreciation for Professor Praveen Abhayaratne:

“Professor Abhayaratne engaged me throughout the course, provided excellent feedback, and challenged me in ways that took my intelligence tradecraft to the next level.”

Michael described the course as one of the most important he has taken at NAU, recognizing Professor Abhayaratne for combining intellectual rigor with a genuine commitment to student development.

Thank you, Professor Abhayaratne, for challenging students to grow and helping them strengthen the skills they carry beyond the classroom.

10/06/2026

Remembering Dr. Beth Eisenfeld

National American University remembers Dr. Beth Eisenfeld as a dedicated educator, scholar, mentor, and colleague whose influence continues through the students and colleagues who knew her.

At NAU's Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security, Dr. Eisenfeld was known for her high academic standards, thoughtful mentorship, and deep commitment to her students and their success.

We are honored to share reflections from those whose lives and work she touched and to recognize the legacy she leaves behind.

The NAU Foundation has established the Dr. Beth Eisenfeld Memorial Scholarship in her honor, creating an opportunity for her commitment to education and student persistence to continue through future students.

Remembering Dr. Eisenfeld:
https://www.national.edu/2026/10/05/remembering-dr-beth-eisenfeld/

To learn more about the memorial scholarship or make a gift in her memory:
https://naufoundation.org/dr-beth-eisenfeld-memorial-scholarship/

10/05/2026

Security challenges are evolving. So are the paths for professionals preparing to meet them.

Through the Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security, NAU offers education spanning FOCUSED bachelor’s degrees through master’s and doctoral study—built around areas such as intelligence, counterterrorism, information operations, criminal investigation, and strategic security.

Our new FOCUSED bachelor’s programs offer 30 courses instead of the traditional 40, with focused areas that let students connect their education more directly to where they want to go.

🎯 Strategic Security & Protection Management
🔎 Criminal Justice
🎓 Graduate pathways through the Doctor of Strategic Security

Build knowledge. Expand opportunities. Make a difference.

Explore Henley-Putnam:
https://www.national.edu/schools/henley-putnam/

10/03/2026

There's College Life. And then there's College + Life.

Life doesn't stop when you go back to college. Work, family, responsibilities and everything in between are all part of the journey.

At National American University, we're rethinking higher education for adults with lives already in motion.

Explore stories, opportunities and our FOCUSED bachelor's degrees, designed around 30 courses instead of the traditional 40.

Life doesn't stop. And life doesn't stop you.

https://www.national.edu/schools/next-generation-focused-bachelors/

10/02/2026

Technology keeps moving. Your education should, too. 💻

Already working in IT? Looking to build on your technical skills or explore new career opportunities?

NAU's FOCUSED Bachelor of Science in Information Technology offers 30 courses instead of the traditional 40—a more efficient path designed for adult learners.

Build your knowledge, explore career-connected coursework, and pursue a bachelor's degree designed to fit into your life.

🏁 30 courses. Designed for College + Life. Career focused.

Explore the FOCUSED IT degree. https://www.national.edu/degreecert/information-technology-bs-focused/

10/01/2026

NAU’s online Associate of Applied Science in Construction Management is designed to build on real-world construction knowledge — adding skills in estimating, planning and scheduling, safety, building codes, business, and management.

Already working in construction or a skilled trade? Wondering what you’ll learn, where an associate degree could lead, or whether you can continue into a bachelor’s degree?

We’ve got answers.

Explore the program + FAQs:
https://www.national.edu/degreecert/construction-management-aas/

👷 Build on what you know.
📚 Expand what you can do.
➡️ Position yourself for growth.

There's navigating college life, then there's the reality of College + Life. NAU gets it.

09/30/2026

Criminal justice is bigger than one career path.

Investigation. Intelligence. Corrections. Law enforcement. Victim advocacy. The justice system.
NAU’s FOCUSED Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is 30 courses instead of the traditional 40 — a more efficient path designed for adult learners.

Then choose where to FOCUS:
🔒 Correction
🔎 Criminal Intelligence Analysis
🕵️ Criminal Investigation
⚖️ Juvenile & Victim Justice
🚔 Law Enforcement & Administration
🏛️ Legal & Justice Systems

Each FOCUSED area gives you a way to shape your coursework around the part of criminal justice that most closely connects with your interests and career goals.
🏁 30 courses. Designed for adult learners. Career focused.

Explore the FOCUSED Criminal Justice degree:
https://www.national.edu/degreecert/online-criminal-justice-bachelor-of-science-degree-focused-program/

09/29/2026

🎓College + Life means more than fitting college into a busy schedule.⏰

It means recognizing that learning doesn't only happen in a classroom.

👔It happens at work.
💪In professional training.
📎Through certifications.
🎖️During military service.

And through years of solving real problems.

Through Prior Learning Assessment, some of that college-level learning may be eligible for college credit.

Research from CAEL found that adult degree earners receiving 12 or more Credit for Prior Learning credits saved an average of 9–14 months toward their degrees.

Because when you return to college with years of life and experience behind you, you shouldn't necessarily have to start from zero.

That's College + Life.

Learn more about Prior Learning Assessment at NAU:
https://www.national.edu/admissions/transfer-students/prior-learning-assessment/

09/28/2026

Some go to college to find their purpose.

Others already know exactly who they’re doing it for.

For the career. 💼
For the family. ❤️
For what comes next. ➡️

When you already know your why, you need a university designed around your life.

This is College + Life — at NAU.

https://www.national.edu/

09/25/2026

We understand the difference between College Life and College + Life. 🎓➕

College Life is building your life around college.
College + Life is building college into a life that’s already happening.

💼 Work
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family
🏠 Responsibilities
📅 A calendar that was full before you added a degree to it
🎯 And career goals that still matter

Your responsibilities aren’t going to disappear because you decided to go back to school. But neither should your career goals.

That’s why NAU didn’t stop at highly flexible online learning. We reimagined the bachelor’s degree around the needs of adult learners.

Our new FOCUSED reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees offer 30 courses instead of the traditional 40 — a more efficient, career-focused path designed to fit College + Life.

College + Life. Keep both moving forward.

https://www.national.edu/schools/next-generation-focused-bachelors/

Address

4020 Jackson Boulevard Suite 1
Rapid City, SD
57702

Website

http://henley-putnam.national.edu/

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