M.A. in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (HSEP)

1. M.A. in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (HSEP) L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University Summer 2007

2. Background • National agenda reshaped by the attacks of September 11, 2001 • Wilder School expertise in government, international affairs, public administration, criminal justice, policy planning, and geography • Wilder School B.A. in HSEP (Fall 2005) • VCU programs in medicine, engineering, and business • VCU location • Program review by officials from local, state, federal government.

3. Purpose • Professional education • Adapting institutions to the new environment • Filling a need in both the public and private sector for knowledgeable managers and leaders • Developing scholars and policy analysts

4. Program Description • 36 credits in HSEP • 15 credit certificate • On-line program • Most students will be practitioners • Inability to move to Richmond • Standard template for delivery (Blackboard) • On-campus session each semester

5. Introductory Level • HSEP 501 Institutional Challenges of Security and Preparedness • HSEP 502 Survey of Terrorism

6. Advanced Introductory • HSEP 601 Emergency Management: Response Planning and Incident Command • GVPA 623 Research Methods for Government and Public Affairs • HSEP 602 Government, Private Industry, and Community Strategic Planning • HSEP 603 Risk Assessment

7. Substantive Topics • HSEP 610 Law Enforcement Policy and Judicial Precedent • HSEP 620 Private Sector Issues in Security and Preparedness • ENGR 630 Technology, Security, and Preparedness (School of Engineering) • INFO 644 Principles of Information System Security (Information Systems Department, School of Business) • HSEP 650 Public Health System Preparedness (VCU Medical School and Virginia Dept. of Health)

8. Capstone and Assessment • HSEP 690 Capstone Seminar • Includes TTX

9. Essential Elements of Each Course • Research Papers • Formal Class Presentations • Leading on-line discussions • Evaluation of government policy • Focus on natural hazards and terrorist threats • Emphasis on communication skills • Highlighting the need for interagency and intergovernmental coordination • Highlighting the need for public/private coordination

10. Outcomes • Substantive Knowledge • students will achieve comprehension of the nature of the threats to people and property from terrorist organizations and natural disasters • students will achieve comprehension of the broad range of topics related to homeland security and emergency preparedness (from counterterrorism, to public budgeting, to legal, ethical, and constitutional questions)

11. Outcomes • Analytical Knowledge and Skills • students will develop advanced methods of assessing risk as well as advanced analytical and research skills, • students will achieve comprehension of the theory and practice of homeland security and emergency preparedness and be able to analyze policy and synthesize information in key areas: • critical infrastructure protection • institutional coordination • intelligence analysis and sharing • legal/constitutional/ethical aspects of homeland security and emergency preparedness planning and implementation.

12. Outcomes • Advanced Skills • students will develop the ability to write concise executive summaries and deliver brief oral presentations • students will be able to evaluate scholarly literature and government emergency preparedness policies through the use of case studies • students will complete a large research project related to a simulation exercise of an emergency event

13. The Successful Graduate • Professional development • Adapting to the new emergency management environment • Understanding of the political impediments to preparedness • Understanding of the administrative challenges of the transition of emergency management field • Understanding of key issues – legal, economic, technological, and public health-related