Homeland Security, Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree

Program Overview

The Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM) associate degree program at Peninsula College equips students with the knowledge and skills to lead in emergency management and homeland security. Through online instruction and practical experiences, the program covers policy, planning, and operations, preparing graduates for careers in various public and private sector organizations. The program emphasizes ethical and legal issues, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership development.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Program Overview:

The Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM) associate degree program at Peninsula College aims to equip the next generation of emergency management and policy leaders with the knowledge and skills to improve outcomes in disasters of all types. This online degree program covers policy, planning, and operational components of emergency management and homeland security, with ample opportunities for practical experience and interaction with current incident management technologies. The curriculum emphasizes policy foundations, core competencies in hazard identification, risk and vulnerability assessment, planning, terrorism, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and planning for diverse populations. It prepares students for employment in an all-hazards preparedness environment, with an understanding of socioeconomic and cultural diversity issues.

Objectives:

Upon completion of the program, students can expect to:

• Apply effective interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Develop agency/organization-specific tools to evaluate domestic security challenges facing the United States and other industrialized nations.
• Design and modify plans and programs at the federal, state, and/or local levels to reflect evolving strategic policy issues associated with homeland security guidelines.
• Interpret ethical and legal issues that impact emergency management and homeland security.
• Access and disseminate information through multiple agencies to forecast risks, types, and orders of magnitude of terrorist threats most likely to confront the nation/state.
• Define the interdisciplinary nature of Homeland Security/Emergency Management functions and assess and integrate various functional areas.
• Develop policies, procedures, and protocols for seamless agency integration from prevention to incident response scenarios.
• Assume leadership roles in emergency management, homeland security, and/or public policy.
• Participate in employer-directed training for performance enhancement and career advancement.

Outline:

Program Content:

The HSEM associate degree program covers a comprehensive range of topics, including:

• Emergency Management Policy
• Planning and Operations
• Incident Command Systems
• National Management Systems
• Hazard and Risk Assessment
• Terrorism Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
• Public Information and Community Engagement
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Emergency Management
• Homeland Security Law and Policy
• Emergency Operations Center Management
• Exercise Design and Evaluation
• Volunteer Resource Management
• Public Speaking and Communication
• Statistics and Data Analysis

Program Structure:

The program consists of 6 quarters, with a total of 98 credits. The typical course schedule is designed for full-time students starting in the fall quarter, but students may also enter in winter or spring quarters.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods and Resources:

The HSEM program is delivered primarily through online instruction, providing flexibility and accessibility to students. It utilizes a blend of asynchronous and synchronous learning environments, including recorded lectures, online discussions, and virtual meetings.

Faculty Expertise:

The program is led by experienced faculty with expertise in emergency management, public policy, and related fields.

Unique Approaches:

The program incorporates hands-on, practical experiences through work-based training and simulations to enhance student learning and prepare them for real-world scenarios.

Careers:

Career Paths and Opportunities:

Graduates of the HSEM program are well-prepared for careers in homeland security and emergency management fields. Potential roles include:

• Emergency Management Specialist
• Homeland Security Analyst
• Public Policy Analyst
• Disaster Relief Coordinator
• Risk Manager
• Law Enforcement Officer
• Firefighter/Paramedic
• Search and Rescue Personnel

Career Outcomes:

The Federal Department of Labor identifies homeland security as a "high-demand field," with a predicted 22% increase in emergency management specialist positions by 2014. Graduates may find positions with a variety of organizations in the public and private sectors, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies involved in emergency preparedness and response.