Penn State Homeland Security Programs are proud to have an own Chapter in the Order of the Sword and Shield, the Academic and Professional Honor Society for Homeland Security, Intelligence, Emergency Management, and all Protective Security Disciplines. The Order of the Sword and Shield is the first and only academic and professional honor society dedicated exclusively to homeland security, intelligence, emergency management, and all protective security disciplines. The mission of the Society shall be to promote critical thinking, high scholarship and professional development; to further enhance the ethical standards of the protective security professions; and to cultivate a high order of personal living. In addition to its academic purpose, the Society is strongly committed to helping communities prepare for safety and emergency conditions and sponsors many types of informational events throughout the year.
To be inducted, students must
- have completed on half (1/2) of the total number of credits required (i.e., 17 credits in the case of the Intercollege Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security Program);
- have achieved an overall 3.50 cumulative GPA or higher (on a scale of 4.0) for all, including transfer credits, or be in the top 20% of their class standing; and
- submit all required information, supporting documents with references, and appropriate fees (differs for each method).