Homeland security educationPenn State offers online minor in homeland security
Penn State is the latest to join the handful of educational institutes offering a minor in homeland security; the degree is available online and is designed to provide students with the skills needed to enter the homeland security field
An increasing number of colleges across the United States have recognized the critical importance of training the next generation of leaders in homeland security and are now offering specialized degree programs in the field.
Penn State is the latest to join the handful of educational institutes offering a minor in homeland security. The degree is available online and is designed to provide students with the skills needed to enter the homeland security field.
Courses will focus on homeland security and defense, terrorism, national security policy, security administration, border security, emergency management and critical infrastructure.
According to statistics from the Bureau of Labor, the homeland security sector is projected to grow as much as 20 percent in the next decade which will mean more openings in emergency management, first response, law enforcement, and state, local and federal government.
“Students in political science, criminal justice, law and society, and organizational leadership, in particular, will benefit from the minor in homeland security, which will prepare them for entry-level positions in homeland security fields,” said Steven Peterson, a professor of politics and public affairs at Penn State Harrisburg and the lead faculty member for the new minor. “The minor will also facilitate their entrance into Penn State’s online master’s degree in homeland security.”
“Occupations in homeland security are broadly distributed throughout the country, which makes online program delivery a good option for first responders and others working in this field,” said Jeremy Plant, professor of public policy and base program coordinator for the online master’s degree in homeland security. “For Penn State graduates of the minor, enrolling in the master’s degree will be seamless.”
The minor will be offered through Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Public Affairs which is delivered online through Penn State’s World Campus.
The new degree “is a logical evolutionary step for Penn State’s online educational portfolio,” Peterson said.
