Homeland Security, Certificate

Degree: Certificate
HEGIS Code: 5505
Curriculum Code: 1932.HLS
Business & Public Service Division

Program Description

The Homeland Security Certificate Program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skill sets needed to effectively deal with the challenges facing America in the arena of homeland security.

Homeland security took on a new meaning as of Sept. 11, 2001. It is such a complex and critical term that it has a variety of meanings, depending on the perspective and context of its use. To some, it refers to the new federal agency, that merged such diverse entities as FEMA, the Transportation Security Administration, Immigration and Customs, the Coast Guard and U.S. Secret Service under one umbrella to provide protection to our domestic frontier. Others may opt to view the term as being able to personally survive man-made disasters such as the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C on Sept. 11 or the devastation caused by a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina.

This certificate delves into the above topics in the introductory course and then expands on specific areas in the more advanced courses stressing detection, protection and recovery issues for government, non-profit organizations, businesses, families and citizen first responders. While some may seek this education as a foundation for employment or voluntary service, many students will use the knowledge acquired to enhance their skills for use in their current work and personal lives.

Program Competencies

• Demonstrate an understanding of the terminology of homeland security.
• Discuss the historical roots leading to the evolution of homeland security.
• Explain the U.S. Government’s justification for the creation of a Department of Homeland Security.
• Justification and discussion for the passage of the Patriot Act and other homeland security-related legislation.
• Be able to construct an outline of the components of the Department of Homeland Security.
• Explain the changing role of police, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders.
• Discuss the conflict between greater security versus personal freedom.
• Display knowledge of weapons of mass destruction and the threat posed to homeland security.
• Distinguish hate crimes from terrorism and discuss the obstacles encountered in defining them correctly.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of counter-terrorism and the approaches being used or considered in an effort to combat terrorism
• Explain the incident command system and its role in responding to terrorist and other emergency situations.
• Discuss the role of unified command in responding to both terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
• Be able to understand and apply the basic components of security and risk management.
• Distinguish between “hard” and “soft” targets and how to harden soft targets.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize the skill sets developed in the program by applying them to real-life situations either through an internship or via a monitored situation in an existing homeland security work environment.

Curriculum

Total Credit Hours: 30.0