Certificate in National Preparedness and Homeland Security

 The certificate program focuses on analytical and managerial aspects of preparedness. Our program is unique because the approach is:
  • Evidence Based - actual cases and expert analyses are applied
  • Analytical - modeling of situations is stressed
  • Systems-of-Systems Oriented - a holistic approach is used to examine the interaction of events, plans, etc. with transportation, organizations, response systems, and other components
  • Visual - maps, diagrams, charts and other tools are used to convey situational awareness

Simulation of pandemic spread by air travel - one day after arrivals from Europe

Core courses cover the federal, international, state, and local frameworks for response; analytical tools with dynamic modeling for disaster planning and response; and a capstone course in which students will plan, role-play, and report on a complete disaster scenario in which all critical infrastructures (e.g., energy, government, transportation, health, and telecommunications) are involved. Each of the four core courses ends in a hands-on exercise. In addition to core courses, certificate students will complete two career-relevant courses in areas such as health operations, business continuity, or information security.

Students pursuing this 18 credit certificate on a full-time basis can complete the coursework in one year.

Spearheading the program are faculty involved in the advisory board to FEMA Region III, local emergency preparedness, and research in disaster response and recovery.

 Core Courses:
 Course detail below is illustrative of topics and coverage. Actual course content will take advantage of exercise opportunities, current events, and availability of subject matter experts. 
  • Federal and International Framework for Emergency Preparedness - (More)
  • State and Local Framework for Emergency Preparedness - (More)
  • Analysis, Intelligence, and Decision Tools for Emergency Preparedness - (More)
  • Capstone Course in Emergency Preparedness - (More)
 Electives:
  • Independent Studies and Internships - (More)
  • Other electives are offered by select University departments
A printable copy of the NPHS curriculum
A printable copy of the NPHS flier

 
 Federal and International Framework for Emergency Preparedness
      The "Federal and International” course covers overarching frameworks for the federal government’s planning and response to crises. These include the National Response Framework (NRF) and the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS), which establishes the Incident Command System (ICS) and the Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). Because the federal government is the interface with foreign governments for events with transnational elements, international aspects of crisis management and the international context for threat assessment are covered in this course.

Topics:
1. Overview of Extreme Events
2. Overview of US Response and Preparedness Responsibilities: pre-9/11
3. Response to 9/11
4. Standards and Best Practices for National Response
5. Case Studies in Federal Response Management
6. Principles of Continuity of Operation Planning
7. Funding for Homeland Security Activities
8. Special Presentations by Invited Subject Matter Experts
9. Student Project Presentations
10. Principles and Standards for Exercises
11. Exercise
12. ‘Hot Wash’ and ‘After Action’ Report
     

 
 State and Local Framework for Emergency Preparedness
      All response to crisis begins locally. This course presents ways in which states, regions and localities have implemented response planning for their jurisdictions. It also explores boundaries between federal and state law, and how, for example, decisions are made for evacuation versus sheltering in place. Case studies and models for drafting response plans will be offered and rehearsed, as well as templates for planning and allocation of resources.

Topics:
1. All Crises Begin Locally: Defining the State – Federal Boundary:
2. Emergency First Response
3. Special Presentation by Invited Subject Matter Expert
4. Health Systems
5. Business Sector
6. NGOs
7. Critical Assets
8. Educational Institutions
9. Other Agencies (departments of agriculture, transportation, etc.)
10. Special Presentation by Invited Subject Matter Expert
11. Exercise Planning
12. Exercise
13. ‘Hot Wash’ and ‘After Action’ Report
     

 
 Analysis, Intelligence, and Decision Tools for Emergency Preparedness
      Efforts to professionalize the emergency management workforce include familiarizing the next generation with modern decision support software and analytical tools now used in planning and responding to crises. These include discrete- and agent-based simulation, geographical information systems, pattern recognition, virtual reality and predictive modeling tools. This course will offer hands-on experience with these tools in realistic crisis scenarios. This course also will explore realities that are changing the delivery of emergency services to a model based on distributed versus centralized operations.

Topics:
1. Emergency Preparedness and Response as Wicked Problems
2. Emergence of Situational Awareness
3. Statistical Analysis
4. Quantitative Approaches to Capacity, Reliability and Resilience
5. Spatial Technologies and Analysis
6. Risk Assessment
7. Decision Making
8. Principles and Methods of Planning
9. Project Management
10. Principles of Red Team Exercises
11. Simulated Exercise
12. ‘Hot Wash’ and ‘After Action’ Report
     

 
 Capstone Course in Emergency Preparedness
      The capstone course is dedicated to exploring solutions focused on a single complex (or “wicked”) problem in emergency management, along the lines of workshops conducted by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). In the same vein, the certificate capstone course would present a complex, interdisciplinary problem and explore a variety of creative solutions.

Topics:
1. Objectives and Big Picture
2. Profession of Homeland Security
3. Terrorism
4. Special Presentation by Invited Subject Matter Expert – Federal Perspective
5. Intelligence, Surveillance and Investigation
6. Critical Infrastructure Resilience
7. Special Presentation by Invited Subject Matter Expert – State Perspective
8. Continuing Education, Certification, etc.
9. Homeland Security Research
10. Cyber-terrorism
11. Exercise Execution
12. Exercise
13. ‘Hot Wash’ and ‘After Action’ Report
14. Summary
     

 
 
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