Courses

Penn State's 33-credit online Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security - Information Security and Forensics option includes core courses that build an understanding of the theories, skills, and technologies associated with network security, cyber threat defense and forensics, intelligence analysis, risk assessment, security policy development, and privacy protection and assurance.

The core curriculum for the information security and forensics option (ISF) includes the three required courses that unify the goals for all options in the iMPS-HLS program (HLS 801: Policies and Programs; HLS 803: Social and Ethical Issues; HLS 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency).

In addition to a Capstone project — IST 594 — and 9 credits of electives, four prescribed courses for the ISF option are required:

IST 454: Computer and Cyber Forensics – Fundamental issues and concepts of computer and cybercrime
IST 456: Information Security Management – Contemporary security issues
IST 554: Network Management and Security – Networks and Internet technologies to facilitate, manage, and secure data communications and applications
IST 815: Foundations of Information Security and Assurance – This course provides theoretical and applied foundations of information security and assurance

Learning Outcomes of the Program

Understand theories and technologies associated with: cyber and network security, cyber threat defense and forensics, risk assessment, security policy development, and intelligence analysis.
Build your skills in: information security and assurance, security audit and compliance, and emergency and security management across multiple venues.

Up to 10 graduate credits may be transferred into the program from an accredited institution (as permitted by the Graduate School). At least 18 credits must be in courses at the 500 or 800 level, with at least 6 credits at the 500 level.

Please note that as per the Graduate School transfer credit policy, credits that have been applied toward the degree requirements for a previous degree, whether at Penn State or elsewhere, may not be applied to degree requirements for a graduate degree at Penn State.

Use the Course List to find course information, including course descriptions and prerequisites.

Course List - Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security - Information Security and Forensics Option

All students are required to complete the HLS Orientation (non-credit) as part of the HLS core curriculum before the end of their first semester. This orientation provides an overview of the HLS program and the field of homeland security.

Required Curriculum (9 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs	HLS 801	Foundation for understanding homeland security history, the development of homeland security policies and organizations, and current management approaches.	3 credits
Homeland Security: Social and Ethical Issues	HLS 803	This course will examine the social, political, legal, and ethical issues that arise in the context of homeland security.	3 credits
Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency	HLS 805	Provides an overview of the domestic and global issues related to homeland security.	3 credits

Required Courses (12 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Computer and Cyber Forensics	IST 454	Fundamental issues and concepts of computer forensics; aspects of computer and cyber crime; methods to uncover, protect, exploit, and document digital evidence; tools, techniques, and procedures to perform computer and cyber crime investigation.	3 credits
Information Security Management	IST 456	Contemporary security issues; security management processes, architecture and models; risk analysis and management; security planning, analysis, and safeguards; security policies development and administration; contingency planning, incidence handling, and response; and security standards and certification processes.	3 credits
Network Management and Security	IST 554	Essential skills and knowledge for effectively utilizing networks and Internet technologies to facilitate, manage, and secure data communications and applications.	3 credits
Foundations of Information Security and Assurance	IST 815	This course provides theoretical and applied foundations of information security and assurance.	3 credits

Electives (Choose only 9 credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Disaster Communication	CAS 553	This seminar provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of disaster communication across phases of a disaster.	3 credits
Intelligence Analysis, Cultural Geography, and Homeland Security	GEOG 571	The application of cultural geography in the intelligence analysis and synthesis process by identifying prominent threats to civil security.	3 credits
Whole-Community Disaster Preparedness	HLS 558	Explores psychological impact of disasters and terrorist attacks on victims, families, rescuers, and society and methods of reducing negative effects. Prerequisite: permission of the program	3 credits
Web Security and Privacy	INSC 561	A web-centric look at the latest techniques and practices in computer security as they apply to the Internet. Prerequisite: IST 815	3 credits
Network Security	IST 451	Fundamental issues and concepts of network security, network security technologies and protocols, and emerging technologies in network security.	3 credits
Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management	IST 564	This course examines the fundamental elements of crisis, disaster, risk, and emergency management.	3 credits
Topics in Visual Analytics for Security Intelligence	IST 868	Introduces visual analytic techniques for security informatics and intelligence. Survey technical approaches for data analysis, threats and vulnerability, communicating risk. Prerequisites: IST 816 or IST 554 or IST 562	3 credits

Capstone Experience (3 required credits)
Title	Abbreviation	Description	Credits
Research Paper or Project	IST 594	In this project, all students in the program are required to focus on a well-defined issue or problem relevant to information sciences and technology. Each student will submit a project proposal to his/her faculty adviser for approval. Note: IST 594 must be scheduled over the final two semesters in a 2-credit/1-credit consecutive sequence for a total of 3 credits.	3 credits

Course Availability

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