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Intercollege Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security (iMPS-HLS)

Robert A. Cherry, MD, MS, CPE, FACS
Chair, iMPS-Homeland Security Graduate Education
Associate Professor of Surgery and Public Health Sciences
Penn State College of Medicine, MC H070
500 University Drive
Hershey, Pennsylvania
717-531-6066 (tel.); 717-531-0321 (fax)
PHP_Programs@psu.edu

Degree Conferred:

Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security

Graduate Faculty:

Agricultural Biosecurity
Walter R. McVey, Jr., M.S. (West Virginia University) Sr. Project Manager in VBSC
Catherine Cutter, Ph.D. (Clemson) Assoc. Professor of Food Science
Bhushan Jayarao, MPH, Ph.D. (Univ. of Vet Sci Budapest) Professor of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Fred Gildow, Ph.D. (Cornell), Professor of Plant Pathology
Gretchen Kuldau, Ph.D. (California), Associate Professor of Plant Pathology

Computer and Network Security
Raj Acharya, Ph.D. (Minnesota/Mayo Grad School of Med), Professor
Piotr Berman, Ph.D. (M.I.T), Associate Professor
Guohong Cao Ph.D. (OSU) Professor
Trent Jaeger, Ph.D. (Michigan), Associate Professor
George Kesidis, Ph.D. (Berkeley), Professor of CSE & EE
Thomas La Porta, Ph.D. (Columbia), Distinguished Professor
Yanxi Liu, Ph.D. (Umass), Associate Professor
John Metzner. (NYU), Professor of CSE & EE
David Miller, Ph.D. (UCSB), Associate Professor of EE
Patrick McDaniel, Ph.D. (Michigan), Associate Professor
Sofya Raskhodnikova, Ph.D. (M.I.T.), Assistant Professor
Anand Sivasubramaniyam Ph.D. (Gatech), Professor
Adam Smith, Ph.D. (M.I.T.), Assistant Professor
Aylin Yener, Ph.D. (Rutgers), Associate Professor of EE
Sencun Zhu, Ph.D. (GMU), Assistant Professor of CSE & IST

Geospatial Intelligence
Todd Bacastow, Ph.D. (PSU), Professor of Practice for Geospatial Intelligence
Mark Corson, Ph.D. (PSU), Associate Professor of Geography
Peter Guth, Ph.D. (PSU), Visiting Professor of Geography
David Hall, Ph.D. (PSU), Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs, College of Information Sciences and Technology

Homeland Security (Base Program)
Thomas Arminio (United States Naval War College), Instructor
Jeremy Plant (Virginia), Professor of Public Administration and Public Policy
Peter Forster (Penn State), Instructor

Information Security and Forensics
Guoray Cai, Ph.D. (Pittsburgh) Associate Professor of IST, Geography and CSE
Chao-Hsien Chu, Ph.D. (Penn State) Professor of IST and Management Science
Dongwon Lee, Ph.D. (UCLA) Associate Professor of IST and CSE
Peng Liu, Ph.D. (George Mason) Associate Professor of IST and CSE
Prasenjit Mitra, Ph.D. (Stanford) Assistant Professor of IST and CSE
Irene Petrick, Ph.D. (Penn State) Professor of Practice in IST
Gerald M. Santoro, Ph.D. (Penn State) Assistant Professor of IST and CAS
Robin G. Qiu, Ph.D. (Penn State) Associate Professor of Information Science
Anna Squicciarini, Ph.D. (U. Milan, Italy) Assistant Professor of IST
Heng Xu, Ph.D. (National Singapore) Assistant Professor of IST
Sencun Zhu, Ph.D. (George Mason) Assistant Professor of CSE and IST

Public Health Preparedness
Robert A. Cherry, MD (Columbia), Associate Professor of Surgery
Kevin P. Furlong, PhD (Utah), Professor of Geosciences
Jim Holliman, MD (Washington), Professor of Emergency Medicine
Gretchen A. Kuldau, PhD (California), Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology
Eugene J. Lengerich VMD, MS (U of Penn), Associate Professor, Health Evaluation Sciences
Craig Meyers, PhD, (UCLA), Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Roxanne Parrott PhD, Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences & Health Policy Admin
Zhengmin Qian MD, PhD (Rutgers), Assistant Professor of Health Evaluation Sciences

Program Description
The iMPS-HLS degree program is designed to prepare professionals and develop leaders for the field of homeland security by providing exceptional graduate education. The curriculum is delivered in a distance education format through the Penn State World Campus in order to accommodate the needs and careers of professionals who are already active in homeland security and public health, or those interested in transitioning into the field. The program provides enrollees with an integrated, cross-functional curriculum that is focused on a set of unified educational goals in order to help them understand and manage the complexities of homeland security in a global environment. Students select from one of six disciplines of study: homeland security (base program); public health preparedness; geospatial intelligence; computer and network security; information security and forensics; and agricultural biosecurity. The participating academic units for this collaborative program are: Penn State Harrisburg, the College of Medicine, the College of the Liberal Arts, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, the College of Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies, the College of Engineering, and the College of Agricultural Sciences.

General Admission Requirements

Educational Background:

An applicant must hold either (1) a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or (2) a postsecondary degree that is equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree earned from an officially recognized degree-granting international institution.

Core Application Packet

Statement of Purpose
Vita or Résumé
Three letters of recommendation
Two official transcripts from each institution attended
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score, if applicable
Application fee

Statement of Purpose and Curriculum Vitae

A statement of professional experience and goals (up to 500 words) and the candidate’s Vita or Resume must accompany the application.

Letters of Recommendation

The individuals writing letters should be familiar with you and comfortable discussing your professional and/or academic strengths and accomplishments.
The Admissions Committee prefers that all letters be written within the last 6 months and reference the applicant’s current career goals and/or ability to perform graduate level study.
A person choosing to submit a letter of reference will do this through the online application process and either select our pre-formatted template or upload his/her own letter.

GPA Requirements

Your GPA is interpreted by the admissions committee in the context of a completed application. Some Options may require a minimum GPA.

GRE Requirements

The GRE may be required by some options.

TOEFL

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the internet-based test. Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires an institutional test of English proficiency upon first enrollment and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Specific graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.

International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a master's degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.

Other Considerations

Special backgrounds, abilities, and interests related to homeland security are desirable.

Course Enrollment before Formal Acceptance

If a student wishes to enroll in a course (s) while he/she completes the application process, the student can do so by contacting Adult Learner Enrollment Services at 800-252-3592.
Students who have completed an application and have already been accepted to the program will be given preference for course enrollment.
All other students will be enrolled in courses on a first-come, first-served basis depending on availability.

Financial Aid

World Campus students who are enrolled in a degree program and meet all other federal student aid eligibility requirements may be eligible for federal aid programs. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for student aid.

Degree Requirements:

The Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security program requires a minimum of 33 credits, 24 of which must be earned at Penn State. Up to 10 graduate credits may be transferred in from an accredited institution (as is permissible by the Graduate School). At least 18 credits must be courses at the 500 level and above, of which 6 credits must be in 500-level courses. Students are expected to maintain a B (3.0) or better average in academic courses to be retained in the program. Each student will take a 9 credit core curriculum consisting of HLS/PDM 801, HLS 803/PHIL, and HLS/CRIM 805. Students will also take 12 credits of prescribed courses for the specialized option. There are 9 elective credits of elective that are chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor. Students choose two courses from Elective Group A and one course from Elective Group B. Finally, each degree candidate must complete a capstone project on a topic related to homeland security and defense (IST 594 - Research Topics). Lists below are the courses required/suggested for the option:

Prescribed Courses

Homeland security refers to the unifying core for the vast global network of organizations and institutions that are involved in the efforts to secure society. Regardless of field of specialization, or chosen discipline for graduate study, all professionals in the program will participate in a Unifying Core Curriculum with the following educational goals and objectives:

Understand major policies and legislation that shapes homeland security in a globalized society.

Become familiar with organizations that play a key role in the implementation of homeland security policies and administration, and recognize the interactions among them.
Understand the way in which a person or group responds to a set of conditions so as to prevent and respond to incidents and catastrophic events when needed.
Recognize the impact that catastrophic events, both natural and man-made, have on society and the domestic and global economy.
Identify and assess potential threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences.
Apply leadership skills and principles that are necessary for producing and acting on information of value within a collaborative setting.
Communicate effectively in the context of particular institutional cultures.
Use, conduct, and interpret research and data effectively in decision-making.
Practice ethics and integrity as a foundation for analytical debate and conclusion.
Develop an appreciation of the cultural, social, psychological, political, and legal aspects of terrorism and counterterrorism.

The Core Curriculum consists of the following three courses:

HLS/P ADM 801: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3). Foundation for understanding homeland security history, the development of homeland security policies and organizations, and current management approaches.

HLS/PHIL 803: Ethics and Leadership (3). This course will examine the social, political, legal, and ethical issues that arise in the context of homeland security.

HLS/CRIM 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3) Provides an overview of the domestic and global issues related to homeland security.

Agricultural Biosecurity Option

Director: Gretchen Kuldau, Ph.D. (California), Associate Professor of Plant Pathology 0205 Buckout Laboratory, University Park; 814 863 7232; kuldau@psu.edu

Core Curriculum
HLS 801/P ADM: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3)
HLS 803/PHIL: Ethics and Leadership (3)
HLS/CRIM 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3)

Prescribed Courses
AGBIO 520*: Agricultural Biosecurity: Protecting a Key Infrastructure (3)
AGBIO 801: Veterinary Infectious Disease Diagnostic and Surveillance Systems (3)
AGBIO 802: Plant Protection: Responding to Introductions of Threatening Pest and Pathogens (3)
AGBIO 521: Food Defense: Prevention Planning For Food Processors (3)

Elective Group A (Choose 2)
GEOSC 402Y: Natural Disasters (3)
MANGT 510: Project Management (3)
PHP/PSY 558: Disaster Psychology (3)
VB SC 444: Epidemiology of Infectious Disease (3)

Courses with an asterisk (*) found in other Options

Elective Group B (Choose 1)
IST 564: Crisis, Disaster, Risk Management (3)
PHP/CAS 553: Disaster Communication (3)
PL SC 439: Politics of Terrorism (3)

Capstone Experience
AGBIO 594: Research Topics

Computer and Network Security Option:

Director: Patrick McDaniel, Ph.D. (Michigan), Associate Professor of Computer Science & Engineering; 360A Information Sciences and Technology Building; 814-863-3599; pdm12@psu.edu

Core Curriculum
HLS/P ADM 801: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3)
HLS/PHIL 803: Ethics and Leadership (3)
HLS/CRIM 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3)

Prescribed Courses
CSE 514: Computer Networks (3)
CSE 543*: Introduction to Computer and Network Security (3)
CSE 546: Cryptography (3)
E E 561: Information Theory (3)

Elective Group A (Choose 2)
CSE 511: Operating Systems (3)
CSE 544: Advanced Systems Security (3)
CSE 545: Advanced Network Security (3)
E E/CSE 588: Pattern Recognition & Data Mining (3)

Courses with an asterisk (*) found in other Options

Elective Group B (Choose 1)
IST 564: Crisis, Disaster, Risk Management (3)
PHP 553 / CAS 553: Disaster Communications (3)
PL SC 439: Politics of Terrorism (3)

Capstone Experience
CSE 594: Research Topics (3)

Geospatial Intelligence Option:

Director: Todd Bacastow, Ph.D. (PSU), Professor of Practice for Geospatial Intelligence; 2217 Earth & Engineering Sciences, University Park; 814-863-0049; bacastow@psu.edu

Core Curriculum
HLS/P ADM 801: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3)
HLS/PHIL 803: Ethics and Leadership (3)
HLS/CRIM 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3)

Prescribed Courses
GEOG 882: Geographic Foundations of Geospatial Intelligence (3)
GEOG 883*: Remote Sensing for the Geospatial Intelligence Professional (3)
GEOG 884: Geographic Information Systems for the Geospatial Intelligence Professional (3)
GEOG 885: Advanced Analytic Methods for Geospatial Intelligence (3)

Elective Group A (Choose 2)
GEOSC 402Y: Natural Disasters (3)
IST 552: Data, Information, and Knowledge Management
IST 885: Introduction to Multi-sensor Data Infusion (3)

Courses with an asterisk (*) found in other Options

Elective Group B: (Choose 1)
IST 564: Crisis, Disaster, Risk Management (3)
PHP 553 / CAS 553: Disaster Communications (3)
PL SC 439: Politics of Terrorism (3)

Capstone Experience
GEOG 594: Research Topics

Homeland Security (Base Program):
Director: Dr. Jeremy F. Plant, Professor of Public Administration and Public Policy, School of Public Affairs, W160 Olmsted Building, Penn State Harrisburg; 717-948-6045; jfp2@psu.edu

Core Curriculum
HLS/P ADM 801: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3)
HLS/PHIL 803: Ethics and Leadership (3)
HLS/CRIM 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3)

Prescribed Courses
P ADM 401: Foundations of Homeland Security (3)
P ADM 404: Homeland Security and Defense in Practice (3)
P ADM 802: Collaboration and Integration: Multifaceted Approaches to Homeland Security (3)
P ADM 803*: Strategic Planning and Organizational Imperatives in Homeland Security and Defense (3)

Elective Group A (Choose 2)
GEOSC 402: Natural Disasters (3)
PHP/CAS 553: Disaster Communication (3)
PHP/PSY 558: Disaster Psychology (3)
PL SC 439: Politics of Terror (3)

Courses with an asterisk (*) found in other Option

Elective Group B (Choose 1)
IST 564: Crisis, Disaster, Risk Management (3)
PHP/CAS 553: Disaster Communication (3)
PL SC 439: Politics of Terror (3)

Capstone Experience
P ADM 594: Research Topics (3)

Information Security and Forensics

Director: Chao-Hsien Chu, Ph.D. (Penn State) Professor of IST and Management Science; 301K Information Sciences and Technology Building, University Park; 814-865-4446; chc4@psu.edu

Core Curriculum
HLS 801/P ADM: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3)
HLS 803/PHIL: Ethics and Leadership (3)
HLS/CRIM 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3)

Prescribed Courses
IN SC 561: Web Security and Privacy (3)
IST 454: Computer and Cyber Forensics (3)
IST 515: Information Security and Assurance (3)
IST 554*: Network Management and Security

Elective Group A (Choose 2)
IST 451: Network Security (3)
IST 456: Security and Risk Management (3)
IST 564: Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management (3)
SRA 468: Visual Analytics for Intelligence and Security (3)

Courses with an asterisk (*) found in other Options

Elective Group B (Choose 1)
IST 564: Crisis, Disaster, Risk Management (3)
PHP 553/CAS 553: Disaster Communication (3)
PL SC 439: Politics of Terrorism (3)

Capstone Experience
IST 594: Research Topics

Public Health Preparedness Option
Director: Robert A. Cherry, MD, MS, CPE, FACS; Associate Professor of Surgery and Public Health Sciences; Penn State College of Medicine, MC H070; 500 University Drive; Hershey, Pennsylvania; 717-531-6066; PHP_Programs@psu.edu

Core Curriculum
HLS/P ADM 801: Homeland Security Administration: Policies and Programs (3)
HLS/PHIL 803: Ethics and Leadership (3)
HLS/CRIM 805: Violence, Threats, Terror, and Insurgency (3)

Prescribed Courses
PHP 410: Public Health Preparedness for Disaster and Bioterrorism Emergencies I (3)
PHP 510: Public Health Preparedness for Disaster and Bioterrorism Emergencies II (3)
PHP 527*: Public Health Evaluation of Disasters and Bioterrorism (3)
PHP 530: Critical Infrastructure Protection of Health Care Delivery Systems (3)

Elective Group A (Choose 2)
GEOSC 402: Natural Disasters (3)
IST 564: Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management (3)
PHP/CAS 553: Disaster Communication (3)
PHP/PSY 558: Disaster Psychology (3)

Courses with an asterisk (*) found in other Options

Elective Group B (Choose 1)
IST 564: Crisis, Disaster, Risk Management (3)
PHP/CAS 553: Disaster Communication (3)
PL SC 439: Politics of Terror (3)

Capstone Experience
PHP 594: Research Topics (3)

Last Revised by the Department: Summer Session 2010

Blue Sheet Item #: 38-04-095

Review Date: 01/12/2010

This is the official bulletin of The Pennsylvania State University. Programmatic expectations for General Education are those in effect at the time of admission to degree candidacy, and college and major requirements are those in effect at the time of entry to college and major. These are accurately indicated in each student's degree audit.

The University reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations listed here and to determine whether a student has satisfactorily met its requirements for admission or graduation, and to reject any applicant for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant's qualifications to pursue higher education. Nothing in this material should be considered a guarantee that completion of a program and graduation from the University will result in employment.

The University Faculty Senate has responsibility for and authority over all academic information contained in the Undergraduate Bulletin.