Integrated Homeland Security Management M.S.
Degree: Master of Science
https://www.towson.edu/cla/departments/interdisciplinary/grad/homelandsecurity/
Program Director: Dr. Joseph R. Clark
Phone: 410-704-4490
Email: jrclark@towson.edu
The Master of Science degree in Integrated Homeland Security Management and the embedded graduate certificate in Security Assessment and Management (see below) form an interdisciplinary program to provide an applied graduate education for personnel working in various areas of homeland security, risk assessment and management, emergency response and crisis communications. The intent is to provide students with advanced studies and experience to extend their expertise in one area while reaching out to work with other areas in an integrated response.
The core courses provide a common base to familiarize students with the overall issues and concerns of homeland security. Students do additional work in their own areas of expertise in specialized courses, but reach across to other areas by taking introductory graduate-level courses in three other areas. The project is a key part of the program, providing hands-on experience in dealing with real-world problems of homeland security. Work on the project begins midway through the program and continues to provide a sense of reality as the student moves through the program. Ideally, students will work together in joint projects, sharing skills and gaining experience in collaborative problem-solving.
Online Instruction
The entire Integrated Homeland Security Management program is delivered online. The goal of the online program is to provide students all of the necessary resources at their fingertips. Students participate in online classroom discussions and review class materials whenever they choose. Towson University utilizes Blackboard as the learning platform for all online courses, so there is a consistent format from course to course. The application process and curriculum requirements for online learners are identical to those for students attending courses on TU's campus.
Admission Requirements
Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete a total of at least 36 units:
- 15 units in five core courses taken by all students
- 9 units in three specialization courses
- 6 units in two collateral courses from other specialization areas
- 3 units in one elective course
- 3 units of capstone project
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| IHSM 611 | CRITICAL NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES | 3 |
| IHSM 612 | PLANNING, PREVENTION AND RISK MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| IHSM 613 | EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION AND MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| IHSM 614 | TEAM BUILDING AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS | 3 |
| IHSM 615 | STRATEGIC AND TACTICAL PLANNING | 3 |
| Note: The five core courses above constitute the Certificate in Security Assessment and Management. | ||
| Tracks | ||
| Select one of three tracks: | 9 | |
| Information Assurance Track | ||
| INFORMATION SYSTEMS VULNERABILITY AND RISK ANALYSIS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE SECURITY | ||
| NETWORK SECURITY | ||
| Health Preparedness Track | ||
| MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE | ||
| BIOTERROR PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS | ||
| DISASTER RESPONSE AND COMMUNITY HEALTH | ||
| Security Policy Track | ||
| TERRORISM AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE | ||
| INTELLIGENCE AND HOMELAND SECURITY | ||
| HOMELAND SECURITY AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS | ||
| Collateral Courses | ||
| Select one introductory course in each of the two areas outside of the selected track: | 6 | |
| Information Assurance | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION ASSURANCE | ||
| Health Preparedness | ||
| HEALTH SYSTEM PREPAREDNESS | ||
| Security Policy | ||
| U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY POLICY | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Each student must take one elective course from the following: | 3 | |
| GIS APPLICATIONS: HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN HOMELAND SECURITY | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY IN HOMELAND SECURITY | ||
| Graduate Project | ||
| The extended project offers a practical, real-world problem-solving experience for the student. Ideally, students will form working groups to take on a project from an agency of federal, state or local government, or a private business. They will begin to work on the project after taking 15 units in the program and continue the project while completing other course work. | ||
| IHSM 881 | CAPSTONE PROJECT I | 3 |
| Students may also select from two continuum options: | ||
| CAPSTONE PROJECT II | ||
| CAPSTONE PROJECT CONTINUUM | ||
| Total Units | 36 | |
- Analyze, evaluate, and apply threat monitoring and risk mitigation, theories, models and resources to protect critical national infrastructures.
- Compare homeland security leadership principles and apply them to solve various strategic and tactical disaster resilience, threat mitigation and emergency management problems.
- Apply disaster management precepts to coordinate scalable, interagency and cross-jurisdictional efforts that minimize public harm and restore intersectoral integrity.
- Evaluate and apply current homeland security precepts, theories and resources to recommend effective risk mitigation activities.