Homeland security educationJersey community college first to offer homeland security degree
Ocean County College is the first community college in New Jersey to begin offering students an associate’s degree in homeland security studies; as police departments across the United States have seen their budgets slashed, it has become increasingly difficult for recent graduates hoping to find jobs as police officers; the program encourages students to pursue law enforcement opportunities with DHS; currently there is a need in the private and public sector for qualified personnel, but a shortage of talented individuals; the program will introduce homeland security to students and if they are interested in a position with the government must receive a bachelor’s degree from a four year college
Ocean County (NJ) College monument // Source: stateuniversity.com
Ocean County College is the first community college in New Jersey to begin offering students an associate’s degree in homeland security studies.
As police departments across the United States have seen their budgets slashed, it has become increasingly difficult for recent graduates hoping to pursue careers in law enforcement to find jobs as police officers.
To help graduates find work, Richard O’Meara, the Homeland Security program coordinator at Ocean County College, has been urging students to look for law enforcement opportunities beyond just local police departments. He says that while local departments may not be hiring, “there’s a lot of hiring at the Department of Homeland Security.
According to O’Meara homeland security is a growing field with a strong demand for qualified personnel in both the private and public sector, but there is a shortage of talented people.
Ocean County’s new homeland security studies program will offer students the education needed to begin working for DHS.
According to Ben Castillo, dean of the Ocean County’s School of Social Sciences and Human services, the program introduces “a student to what homeland security is. A lot of people come in thinking it’s Jack Bauer in ‘24,’ but there are so many other areas of interest, whether it be biological, whether it be radiological, whether it be not only law enforcement but also the first responders — that might include fire science … linguistics or architecture, in terms of how you make buildings more secure.”
Joseph Mascolo says that he was inspired to enroll in the homeland security studies program after speaking with O’Meara.
Mascolo said, “I’m looking to become a police officer, but now I’m also looking into Border Patrol and Port Authority.”
If graduates of the program are serious about pursuing a career with the federal government, they must move on to a four-year college and obtain a bachelor’s degree to meet the qualifications for federal employment.
