Certificate in Homeland Security
Overview | Course Listings | Faculty
Please note, not all courses are available each semester. Please check with enrollment advisors for course schedules.
Required Course
PSAA 656: Fundamentals of Homeland Security
An introduction to the theory, practice, challenge and prospects for securing the “American Homeland” against terrorist attack, with special emphasis on how American policy makers are resolving this dilemma, and their prospects for the future; draws heavily on current events and emerging policy solutions as examples. Prerequisite: Graduate classification
Elective Courses
PSAA 605: Homeland Security Policies, Strategies, and Operations
In-depth examination of past, current, and emerging national and international homeland security policies, strategies, and selected strategic operations. Emphasis on national and global risks, the national security management system, risk and crisis management, longer-term community recovery, and the strategies of other countries applicable to the United States.
PSAA 656: Fundamentals of Homeland Security
An introduction to the theory, practice, challenge and prospects for securing the “American Homeland” against terrorist attack, with special emphasis on how American policy makers are resolving this dilemma, and their prospects for the future; draws heavily on current events and emerging policy solutions as examples.
PSAA 604: Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Provides an overview of emergency management and its connection with homeland security; topics include emergency management cycles, activities that fall into mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery phases of emergency management; other topics may include emergency management of terrorism, disaster communication, media relations, and performance assessment for emergency management organizations.
PSAA 608: Cybersecurity Policy, Issues and Operations – A Manager’s Guide
Introduces operations and security issues involving attacking, exploiting, and defending digitized data, knowledge, and communications and the security challenges arising from the globalization of the Internet, the sharing of networks, and the flow of strategic communications. Does not require significant skills or experience in information technology.
PSAA 620: Safeguarding the Nation’s Maritime Gateways.
Thorough examination of the national policy, strategies and plans that direct maritime security and harbor safety and how they integrate into homeland security; historical overview, current national strategies, departments and agencies responsible for security, international cooperation efforts and U.S. efforts against piracy and vessel hijacking, future considerations.
PSAA 651: Homeland Security and Homeland Defense
Thoroughly examine the strategy for homeland defense and civil support, Department of Defense policy and doctrine, along with numerous scholarly articles focusing on homeland security; master’s level course intended for individuals preparing for professional careers in the conduct of international affairs.
PSAA 652: Protection of the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure
Protection of the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure. Survey an overview of the Nation’s strategies for Critical Infrastructure Protection and securing cyberspace and the definition of critical infrastructures as it exists today; master’s level course intended for individuals preparing for professional careers in the conduct of international affairs.
PSAA 653: Weapons of Mass Destruction
Comprehensive study of weapons of mass destruction and their potential use by a terrorist group; considers both political and technological issues associated with WMD terrorism; focus will be on prevention, protection, response and recovery to WMD terrorism events; intended for individuals preparing for professional careers in the conduct of international affairs.
PSAA 654 : U.S. Border Security: Policies, Strategies and Issues
U.S. border security policies, strategies and issues; policies and strategies for homeland defense and security; Mexican and Canadian governments’ border policies; southern U.S. border situation and issues; considerations when border land is privately versus federally owned; impact of criminal elements on border security; efforts to secure the U.S. coasts.
PSAA 655: Domestic Intelligence Operations: Legalities, Policies, and Procedures
Examination of laws and national policies and operations surrounding domestic intelligence within the United States; departments and agencies with domestic intelligence responsibilities, their missions, operations and resources; selected readings, government documents and case studies.
PSAA 657: Terrorism in Today’s World
Comprehensive survey of international terrorism from its origins to the present; emphasis on how the U.S. government has responded and how it has organized to counter the threat; all major terrorist groups studied; understanding of the nature of the terrorist threat and the implications for the U.S. Government.
PSAA 658: Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
Focuses on business continuity management principles and building resilience into private sector organizations as related to national homeland security. Threats from “PLANES” – pandemics, lethal attacks, accidents, natural disasters, economic crises, and strikes are studied. The connection between public sector continuity of operations and private sector business continuity are explored.
PSAA 660: Domestic Terrorism: The Internal Threat to America
Survey of domestic terrorism from the first manifestation of terror tactics in the United States to the anarchist movement of 1880s to the present. Study of domestic terrorist threats, the growing threats from weapons of mass destruction, and the implications WMDs have for all levels of government.
PSAA 668: U.S. Law and Homeland Security
Analyze the threat to the homeland as reflected in a number of pre and post 9/11 commission reports; master’s level course intended for individuals preparing for professional careers in the conduct of international affairs.
