The curriculum for the Base Program of the intercollege Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security is detailed below.
Curriculum information for program options is available on the World Campus website:
The 33-credit curriculum for the Base Program offers a solid foundation in homeland security theory and implementation.
 
Common core curriculum (9 credits):
  • HLS 801 – Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs
  • HLS 803 – Homeland Security: Social and Ethical Issues
  • HLS 805 – Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency
Prescribed courses (12 credits):
  • HLS 811 –  Fundamentals of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • HLS 404 – Homeland Security and Defense in Practice
  • HLS 813 – Multifaceted Approaches to Homeland Security
  • HLS 812 – Homeland Security and Homeland Defense in Practice
  • HLS 558 – Whole Community Disaster Preparedness

Electives (9 credits) -- Courses include:

  • HLS 475 – Critical Infrastructure Protection
  • HLS 476 – Homeland Security Intelligence
  • HLS 540 – Comparative Homeland Security and Related Methods
  • HLS 599A – Internship Experience in Homeland Security Enterprise
  • 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
  • ENGR 405 - Project Management for Professionals
  • GEOSC 402Y - Natural Disasters
  • GEOG 571 - Intelligence Analysis, Cultural Geography, and Homeland Security
  • INTAF 812 - The Role of Intelligence in International Relations
  • INTAF 817 - Weapons of Mass Destruction and International Security
  • LEAD 555 - Full Range Leadership Development
  • MBADM 813 – Data Analysis for Decision Making
  • MBADM 814 – Leadership Communications and Change Management
  • PADM 500 – Public Organization and Management
  • PL SC 836 – Root Causes of Terrorism

International track

Civil security is a field with remarkable projected job growth around the world. Since 9/11, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as initiatives in other countries, has transformed how delivery of security is planned, executed, and coordinated globally.

The international track of the Penn State World Campus Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security is based on state-of-the-art security research studies. It helps you understand differences and commonalities between homeland security, national security, and international security, and explains the characteristics of homeland security in a global context and an all-hazards threat environment.

This degree can prepare you for a global career with excellent earning potential. Through our diverse course options, you can become a leader in such fields as policy management, emergency management, law enforcement, health care, corporate security, IT, computer science, or the military.

Course topic areas for the international track include:

  • Core Courses on Foundations and Development of Homeland Security
  • Comparative Homeland Security and Related Methods
  • International Relations Theory
  • Root Causes of Terrorism
  • Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management
  • Disaster Psychology
  • Natural Disasters

Capstone experience (3 credits):

HLS 594 – Research project 

 

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