Homeland
Security Major
Zach Wexman, Onye Chi-ukpai,
Daniel Rapcsak, John Jackson
History of the Major
•
Prior to the attacks of 9/11, a degree in Homeland
Security was non-existent.
•
The U.S. isn’t only vulnerable to political and
religious fanatics, but bioterrorist threats as well such
as Anthrax and other chemical agents.
•
Terrorism has decreased the safety level in society,
but also opened a wide range of careers and
specialized jobs in homeland security.
America’s Response to
Terrorism
•
Added divisions of homeland security to law
enforcement and government agencies.
•
Research: Put aside billions of citizen tax dollars in
order to develop new forms of protection.
•
Homeland Security programs are typically under
Criminal Justice divisions at Universities that offer
the major.
Required Education for
Careers
•
Homeland Security focuses/tracks: Border control,
cyber crime, and blatant terrorist attacks
•
Almost all careers involving Homeland Security
require at least a bachelor’s degree.
•
Online programs are offered for the field of study.
•
Salary variables: education, location, prior
experience, and resources of employer
Universities that offer a
Homeland Security Program
•Several top rated universities in the United States already have majors and degrees related to Homeland Security.
•These universities and degrees include:
•Arizona State University (B.A.S. Disaster Management)
•California State University (M.S. Emergency Services Administration)
•University of Southern California (Master of Science in System Safety and Security)
Universities that offer a Homeland
Security Program cont.
•University of Washington (Masters in Strategic Planning for Critical Infrastructures)
•Georgetown University (Certificate Homeland Security)
•Oklahoma State University (A.A.S. Emergency Management)
•Penn State University (Master’s in Homeland Security)
•Syracuse University (Graduate Certificate in National Security)
•Texas A&M University (Master's Degree Program in Homeland Security)
Positives for the
University
•Keep the University of Arizona on the cutting edge of all public education institutions
•Add to the funding and prestige of the research program.
•Attract a wider range of students to come study at the University of Arizona.
•The University of Arizona produces individuals who are specially trained to protect our borders.
•Continue to be better than ASU!
Curriculum of Homeland
Security
• Other classes needed to be added into the curriculum for a Homeland Security Major to be offered. Some possible classes include:
• Public Policy Implications of Terrorism Legislation and Policies
• Terrorism: A Systemic Approach for Emergency Preparedness
• Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
• Introduction to Networking
• Homeland Security Organization and Administration
• Networking Security Fundamentals
• Information Warfare and Homeland Security
• Case Studies in Current Homeland Security Issues.
Relevant Classes Already at the
University of Arizona
•The University of Arizona also offers several classes that already relate to a Homeland Security Major:
•POL 419: Governance, Security, State Formation and Terrorism
•SOC 414: Sociology of Terrorism
•PSY 368: Psychology of Terrorism
•PA 561A: Climate Change: Science, Policy, and Security Spring
Statistics
• Nearly two thirds of students polled believe the University should offer a Homeland Security Program.
Since 2001, the U.S. federal government has put devoted over $130 billion on strategies relating to Homeland Security. • There has been a high amount of funding because the demands for jobs in the field are only going up with time.
• Starting salaries for this career will vary based on education, location, prior experience, and resources of employer. Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security can expect a starting salary around $40,000 annually. • The percentages of students right out of college getting employed in a security career are much higher than the average college graduates.
Potential Jobs Arenas
•
Transportation Security Administration
•
The United States Capitol Police
•
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
•
The United States Coast Guard
•
The United States Customs Services
•
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
•
The United States Marshals Service and Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Goals of the
Homeland Security Major
• Students who graduate with a Homeland Security Major will: • Learn the “who, what, and where” of America’s most imminent security threats.• Discover how to better protect America’s borders, with an emphasis on the Southern Border with Mexico.
• Be trained in efficient and effective ways to manage towns and cities in times of emergency.
• Learn how to effectively plan for natural disasters in the United States and discover how to efficiently serve those same areas after a disaster.
• Become educated in international security threats, particularly that of Middle Eastern terrorism.
• Graduate with the skills and knowledge to serve as leaders in the Homeland Security Industry.
Bibliography
"Colleges and Universities Offering Homeland Security Programs." Center for Homeland Defense and Security. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.chds.us/?partners%2Finstitutions°ree=any&state=any&submit=F ilter+Results>.
"Guide to College Majors in Homeland Security ." World Wide Learn. N.p., 2011. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. <http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/criminal-justice/homeland-security-major.htm>. "Homeland Security." Adult Learn. N.p., 2011. Web. 12 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.adultlearn.com/national-homeland-security.htm>. Johnson, Scott. Personal interview. 21 Nov. 2011.
"University of Arizona Course Catalog." University of Arizona. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2011.<https://uaccess.schedule.arizona.edu/psp/uazsaprd2/UA_CATALOG/H RMS/h/?tab=DEFAULT>.
