Homeland Security Graduate Credit Certificate Program

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Person-in-Charge	Alexander Siedschlag
Program Code	CLHLS
Campus(es)	Harrisburg World Campus

In this 12-credit graduate certificate program, students will learn about the origins and organization of the Homeland Security Enterprise, including relevant Congressional acts, Presidential policies, and national strategies, as well as the roles and shared responsibility of key agencies and partners at federal, state, and local levels, and from the private sector. They will apply that knowledge to current situations and select scenarios based on an all-hazards and whole-community approach.

The certificate program offers a viable opportunity for those who seek advanced education but do not wish or have not yet determined if they are ready to pursue a full master's degree program. For students in the Intercollege Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security (iMPS-HLS), this program may be pursued to earn an embedded certificate as an additional credential.

Effective Semester: Spring Semester 2021
Expiration Semester: Spring Semester 2026

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies. International applicants may be required to satisfy an English proficiency requirement; see GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

Applicants are expected to have a 3.0 or higher GPA in their undergraduate work.

Certificate Requirements

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in Graduate Council policy GCAC-212 Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate Programs.

The curriculum consists of two required courses (6 credits) and two electives (6 credits). Students must achieve a GPA of 3.00 or above to be awarded the certificate.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
HLS 811	Fundamentals of Homeland Security	3
HLS 404	Homeland Security and Defense in Practice	3
Electives
Choose 6 credits from the following:		6
HLS 475	Critical Infrastructure Protection
HLS 540	Comparative Homeland Security and Related Methods
HLS 558	Disaster Psychology
HLS 802	Multifaceted Approaches to Homeland Security
HLS 804	Strategic Planning and Organizational Imperatives in Homeland Defense and Security
HLS 820	Emerging Threats to Homeland Security
HLS 832	U.S. Military's Domestic Imperative: Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities
HLS 875	U.S. Homeland Security Law
In addition, students may choose one of the following courses as an elective:
MBADM 571	Global Strategic Management
MBADM 816	Managing and Leading People in Organizations
Total Credits		12

Courses

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

Learning Outcomes

Explain the origins and organization of the Homeland Security Enterprise.
Describe how relevant Congressional acts, Presidential directives, and national strategies influence decision making in homeland security.
Identify the roles and shared responsibility of key agencies and partners at federal, state, and local levels, and of the private sector.
Assess current situations and select scenarios.
Evaluate the all-hazards and the whole-community approach.

Contact

Certificate Program Head: Alexander Siedschlag

Primary Program Contact: Lesa Stanford

Email: lis12@psu.edu

Mailing Address: 777 West Harrisburg Pike, 131W Olmsted Bldg., Middletown, PA 17057

Telephone: (717) 948-6050

Program Website: Homeland Security Graduate Certificate