Will VCU add a homeland security major to its degree choices?

Shortly before the Christmas holidays, the VCU community and others read about a homeland security degree on the school’s Web site.

So what is the status of that degree now?

Robert Holsworth, interim dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences, said VCU has one more step to take in the process of gaining approval for the homeland security major. That step is the stamp of approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

“This is an exciting new program for our students,” Holsworth said, “And it is a powerful program. I think that it is going to be a first-rate program in the Wilder School that has a good shot at being approved by SCHEV.”

William Newmann, an associate professor in the Wilder School, said this program, positioned in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government, will link together security studies, criminal justice and emergency planning in ways that meet society’s needs.

William Parrish, former U.S. Department of Homeland Security senior official who will oversee the program, said the Wilder School will depend on the existing faculty and heavily upon the adjunct faculty so the school can bring in some practitioners from the field who have been working in this area.

“I would anticipate besides the adjunct side,” Parrish said, “that there will be three or four additional folks that will be used to provide some of the teaching as well as drawing upon some of the other expertise that reside here in the school of government.”

Students earning this degree, Parrish said, will be able to explore career opportunities in local, state or federal government, as well as the Justice Department or the FBI. In addition, a graduate could work for the Department of Homeland Security for profit, nonprofit and private organizations.

A student will gain knowledge in emergency planning and management principles, the nature and effects of natural disasters, counterrorism policies, plus prevention of terrorists’ attacks through surveillance.

Studies, he said, will combine theoretical and practical knowledge that will prepare them for further study in international affairs, government, law enforcement, policy planning and law.

Newmann said he wants to ensure that the students enrolling in the program learn the issues involving homeland security.

“The degree,” he said, “will include courses in terrorism and emergency management, risk analysis and strategic planning, as well as and legal and ethical issues involving homeland security.”

Overall, the program is designed to approach the study of law enforcement, the nature of terrorists’ threat to the United States, the nature and effects of natural disasters and policy-making topics.

As with all humanities and sciences undergraduate majors, the bachelor of science degree requires students to complete a minimum of 120 credits.