Online Homeland Security Certificate

By completing Penn State’s online public health preparedness certificate you are demonstrating your initiative to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, mitigate, and respond to natural and man-made disasters. This high-quality, graduate-level program can provide you with an excellent education if you want to enter or advance in the field of homeland security.

Successful completion of the certificate can provide a fundamental understanding of:

• the principles of hazard analysis and incident management
• disaster readiness planning and coordination
• critical infrastructure protection against disaster and terrorist emergencies
• the political, legal, psychological, and social aspects of terrorism and natural disasters

Why Penn State for Your Homeland Security Education

Penn State’s online public health preparedness program is unique because it is the country’s first online homeland security curricula from a medical school, the Penn State College of Medicine.

The certificate may serve as an avenue into Penn State’s online Master’s in Homeland Security. You can apply the 12 credits you earn in the certificate toward the Master’s in Homeland Security with an option in Public Health Preparedness.

Who Should Apply

The public health preparedness certificate is open to candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree. The certificate is ideal if you are a federal, state, or local emergency management official, public health practitioner, health care provider, hospital administrator or manager, or first responder.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

As a graduate with this option, you can work in such occupations as:

• emergency management
• facilities management
• disaster recovery
• policy planning
• public health

Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, or application instructions. 

Online Education at Penn State

Penn State has a history of 100+ years of distance education and more than a decade of experience in online learning. We strive to create an online learning environment that brings you as close to the face-to-face experience as possible. Learn more about Penn State World Campus.