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On May 17-18, the Homeland Security and Defense Education Consortium (HSDEC) and the Integrative Center for Homeland
Security at Texas A&M co-hosted a very successful “Workshop on National Needs," which focused on continuing the development of
core requirements for a nationwide curriculum for homeland security graduate education.
We played host to representatives
from about a dozen schools (from New York, District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, California, Texas and other states), and about 20 presenters from the homeland
security workforce. These speakers were drawn from DHS, DOE, DOE, ICE, border patrol, Business Executives for National
Security, state and local government, private industry, and other locations.
Together, they explored the question: “What do you want a new employee with a masters degree in homeland security to
know when he or she arrives for work?”
Introductory remarks stressing the Texas A&M commitment to homeland security education were provided by Associate Vice
President for Research Dr. Fuller Bazer.
An opening analysis of the theories that comprise the discipline of International Affairs (as a comparison to show how far HLS
has to travel) was provided by Dr. Chuck Hermann of the Bush School.
Closing remarks on the challenge and opportunity of a multi-disciplinary program were provide by Texas A&M's Dean of Graduate Studies Dr
Rich Giardino. He drew an interesting comparison between the new field of homeland security and the field of water studies --
just approved for the award of an interdisciplinary graduate degree 2 years ago, and now directing 27 PhD students.
This workshop was an extension of a three year ongoing HSDEC program to identify core issues in homeland security. For this
meeting, we did NOT attempt to identify every academic issue or discipline that should be represented, but rather to allow
knowledgeable members of the workforce to comment on their needs.
Comments fell generally into three areas:
- Required characteristics (honesty, integrity, initiative, etc.)
- Required skills (writing topped the list - as always)
- Required special knowledge (National Response Plan, National Incident Management System, etc.)
The single most widely expressed preference from work force members was for students who can cut through heavy reading
and write clearly and succinctly, regardless of academic background.
The single most widely expressed sentiment by academic attendees was the recognition that maintaining quality students and
quality programs is essential to the continuing success of programs.
Of special interest was the “pre-workshop workshop” which brought together librarians of Texas A&M with members of the Naval Post Graduate School who are coordinating their electronic homeland security library. The question discussed was whether librarians and library science can promote development of the discipline of homeland security by assisting early on in the collection, categorization, manipulation and distribution of appropriate information and curriculum. The group responded very positively. HSDEC and NORTHCOM are now looking at whether they can promote a widespread dialogue of librarians and information specialists in the future.
After the workshop, Texas A&M will draft a short report collecting all information provided by presenters, while stripping out their
identities. This report will be made available through our web site, our HomeStation weblog (www.homestation.typepad.com) and our electronic newsletters.
If you are not receiving our newsletter and would like to do so, please send us an email.
A Final Note:
One of the most interesting comments provided by presenters was by a representative of the intelligence community. Some of
the schools represented have grown their programs pretty quickly by most standards. The Naval Post Graduate School went
from 0 students to 60 in 3 years. Texas A&M and the Bush School have gone from a dozen students to about 80 in 2 years. A few others have grown even faster and larger.
A comment by a work force member, echoed by many others was: “You are growing too slowly - we have thousands of supervisors who need the education you are providing. Get busy.”
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Photos by Jean Wulfson, digital imaging specialist,
Office of the Vice President for Research, Texas A&M University
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AFTER ACTION REPORT
'What Employers Want from Graduate Education in Homeland Security'
To download the report, click here.
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Establishing a Curriculum: Foundations of Homeland Security Graduate Education
Stan Supinski, director, Partnership Program, Naval Postgraduate School/Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Watch the presentaion as an online video.
No PowerPoint
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Establishing Multi-disciplinary Graduate Programs
Rick Giardino, dean of graduate studies, Texas A&M University
Watch the video.
No PowerPoint
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