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Press Release - March 18, 2005
Penn State College of Medicine to Offer Master of Homeland Security Degree
Friday, March 18, 2005
Online program first homeland security degree with medical focus
Beginning spring semester 2006, Penn State College of Medicine will offer the first master's in homeland security degree, Master of Homeland Security in Health Preparedness, with a public health preparedness focus through Penn State's World Campus, the university's online education program. Penn State's Board of Trustees approved the degree today.
The goal of the online Master of Homeland Security in Health Preparedness is to prepare current homeland security professionals and individuals interested in transitioning into the field. It specifically focuses on public health preparedness. This program will help prepare emergency management workers, first responders, public health officials, and others on the front lines of homeland security to better respond to challenges faced each day. Penn State hopes to attract students nationally.
"The program is designed to graduate leaders who value the freedom and protections offered by a civilized society and who are dedicated to guarding against potentially preventable threats to our public health and security," said Robert Cherry, M.D., F.A.C.S, medical director of Penn State Shock Trauma Center, chief of the Section of Trauma and Critical Care at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and academic chair of the program. Eight academic departments at six different colleges located on three Penn State campuses have collaborated to produce the degree's highly interdisciplinary curriculum. Cherry has worked closely with a World Campus program manager, Peter Forster, associate director for international and corporate partnerships, program planning and management, World Campus, in developing and implementing the online degree.
"This unique program comes at a time when there is a great need for graduate level work in homeland security," Forster said. "We're excited to work with the Medical Center and College of Medicine to train tomorrow's leaders in public health preparedness." The mission of Penn State World Campus is to provide individuals worldwide with access to Penn State academic programs in a sustainable, technology-based learning environment. The World Campus allows Penn State to reach new populations of students worldwide. "We are extremely pleased that this program will be offered through Penn State's online World Campus," states Michael Verderame, Ph.D., associate dean for graduate studies and associate professor of medicine, College of Medicine. "This ensures that geography does not limit who will be able to take advantage of this important educational opportunity."
"In a report issued March 11, the New York University (NYU) Center for Catastrophe Preparedness and Response (1) highlighted lack of education as a critical issue facing emergency medical services homeland security preparedness," states Verderame. "Our new program will help meet this critical need."
The College of Medicine, along with Penn State Hershey Medical Center, is committed to enhance the quality of life through improved health, the professional preparation of those who will serve the health needs of others, and the discovery of knowledge that benefits all. The College of Medicine is dedicated to the education of medical and nursing students, basic science graduate students, medical residents and fellows, other students in health care-related professions, and practicing health professionals.
Editor contact: Deborah A. Benedetti; 814-238-4895; dab12@outreach.psu.edu
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
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