Penn State's 33-credit online Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security degree program shapes leaders capable of preventing and responding to man-made and natural disasters.
Use the Course List to find course information, including course descriptions and prerequisites.
Course List - Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security
| 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 |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeland Security and Defense in Practice | HLS 404 | This course analyzes, evaluates, and critiques homeland security plans in practice. | 3 credits |
| Multifaceted Approaches to Homeland Security | HLS 802 | Examination of the roles of the public and private sectors and the military in preparing, mitigating, and responding to disasters. | 3 credits |
| Strategic Planning and Organizational Imperatives in Homeland Defense and Security | HLS 804 | The homeland security framework depends on strategic planning and organization. This course examines the key issues associated with these. | 3 credits |
| Fundamentals of Homeland Security | HLS 811 | Fundamentals of Homeland Security provides foundational knowledge about homeland security policy, strategy, organization, and legal issues in the U.S. context. | 3 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Biosecurity: Protecting a Key Infrastructure | AGBIO 520 | Course will explore intentional and unintentional threats to the agriculture- food system, history and current approaches for safeguarding this key infrastructure. | 3 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 |
| Project Management for Professionals | ENGR 405 | Covers the essential concepts and skills needed to make effective contributions on projects, on time and within budget. | 3 credits |
| Engineering Across Cultures and Nations | ENGR 802 | Explores cultural differences and impact on business practices and team dynamics working on virtual project teams with global partner universities. | 3 credits |
| Exploring Imagery and Elevation Data in GIS Applications | GEOG 480 | An introductory-level course focusing on the use of remotely sensed imagery and elevation data in GIS applications. | 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 |
| Natural Disasters | GEOSC 402Y | Case studies of the causes and consequences of natural disasters; analysis of disaster impact in different economic, cultural, and social conditions. | 3 credits |
| Comparative Homeland Security and Related Methods | HLS 540 | The course will address international cooperation in Homeland Security and compare select national approaches as well as teach related practical methods of analysis. Prerequisites: HLS 801, HLS 803, HLS 805, and P ADM 802 (In certain cases, students may be eligible for a prerequisite waiver based on prior academic or professional experience.) |
3 credits |
| Disaster Psychology | 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 |
| Internship Experience in Homeland Security Enterprise | HLS 595A | Provides real-world experience in the homeland security enterprise. Supervision/support is provided by site personnel and Penn State graduate faculty. Prerequisites: HLS 801, HLS 803 and HLS 805 |
3-6 credits |
| U.S. Military’s Domestic Imperative: Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities | HLS 832 | Provides an overview of the homeland defense mission and defense support of civil authorities during disasters, and the distinctions between the two. Prerequisites: HLS 801 |
3 credits |
| U.S. Homeland Security Law | HLS 875 | This course assesses the controlling authorities that pertain to homeland security, from the U.S. Constitution to major federal statutes, court decisions, and executive directives. | 3 credits |
| Crisis, Disaster and Risk Management | IST 564 | This course examines the fundamental elements of crisis, disaster, risk and emergency management. | 3 credits |
| Foundations of Information Security and Assurance | IST 815 | This course provides theoretical and applied foundations of information security and assurance. | 3 credits |
| Full Range Leadership Development | LEAD 555 | Development of behavioral skills associated with outstanding leadership of individuals, teams, and organizations through advanced information technology, experimental exercises, and case analysis. | 3 credits |
| Public Organization and Management | P ADM 500 | Development of basic concepts and issues in public administration; administrative theory and public policy processes. | 3 credits |
| Introduction to Public Policy Analysis | P ADM 507 | Introduction to the analysis of public policy within its organizational and political contexts, including an emphasis on an economic perspective. Prerequisite: 3 credits of American government and 3 credits of basic economics |
3 credits |
| Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations | P ADM 557 | Study of the impact of a federal system of government on the administration of public functions. National-state-local dimensions. | 3 credits |
| Public Health Evaluation of Disasters and Bioterrorism | PHP 527 | Introduces students to the design of exposure assessment and health effect studies applicable to disasters and terrorism. | 3 credits |
| International Relations Theory | PL SC 418W | A survey of traditional and contemporary conceptual frameworks and theoretical approaches for the analysis of international relations. | 3 credits |
| The Politics of Terrorism | PL SC 439 | Analysis of political terrorism as a violent alternative for peaceful change and traditional warfare in the nuclear age. | 3 credits |
| American Foreign Policy | PL SC 442 | Principles of American foreign policy; processes of policy formulation; roles of the President, Congress, the State Department and other government agencies. | 3 credits |
| Root Causes of Terrorism | PL SC 836 | Investigates the role economic, political and social factors play in determining patterns of international and domestic terrorism and terrorist activity. | 3 credits |
| Psychological Foundations of Leadership | PSY 532 | Students will examine the social and psychological processes underlying leadership in organizations. | 3 credits |
| Foundations of Behavior, Motivation, and Attitudes at Work | PSY 539 | Students will examine the psychological and social processes underlying behavior, motivation, and attitudes in work settings. | 3 credits |
| Critical Infrastructure Protection | PUBPL 475 | This course provides knowledge about protection of critical infrastructure as an aspect of homeland security. | 3 credits |
| Homeland Security Intelligence | PUBPL 476 | The Homeland Security Intelligence course provides a depth of knowledge of key intelligence issues for homeland security professionals. |
3 credits
|
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Project | HLS 594 | Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis. | 3 credits |
Course Availability
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