Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Department Overview
In a post-9/11 environment, the challenges faced by emergency management and homeland security professionals have reached unprecedented levels. As we experience an increase in the frequency, complexity and severity of human-made, natural and technological disasters, ever-increasing demands have been placed on emergency professionals, and the skill sets required to succeed. Today, more so than ever before, the integration of federal, state, and local resources, communication and collaboration has become the norm. Issues concerning terrorism, cyber-security, critical infrastructure protection and management, risk, business continuity, fire, hazardous materials, law enforcement, public health and safety are no longer domains unto themselves. They are now part of the new fabric of this highly integrated and complex environment. As a result, the demands placed on our first responders and those charged with these individuals and organizations' leadership and management roles have changed significantly.
B.S.E.M., Homeland Security and Emergency Management
The homeland security and emergency management program focuses on developing skills to lead and manage individuals and organizations in an increasingly complex environment. The program builds upon an individual's technical capabilities derived from education, training and experience in fire, information technology, law enforcement, military, homeland security and emergency management or other related fields. This technical expertise is combined with a business administration curriculum, emergency management and homeland security-based instruction. This focus gives students the operations management knowledge to lead and manage individuals, departments or agencies daily and during times of crisis. The homeland security and emergency management degree is explicitly built to meet the needs of practitioners who provide administrative oversight, leadership or management roles within the homeland security and emergency management enterprise at the local, state, federal and international levels. The degree also provides those at the responder level the opportunity to further their education, increase their competitive advantage for promotion, and advance their operational understanding of today's highly integrated emergency management and homeland security environment.
Minimum Requirements for Security and Emergency Management B.S.E.M. Degree: 120 credits
Learn more about the bachelor’s degree in homeland security and emergency management, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
M.S.D.M., Security and Disaster Management
The online master of security and disaster management program serves both aspiring and existing homeland defense/security and emergency management practitioners. The program builds upon the experience and education of those within this highly interdisciplinary enterprise, providing graduate-level education that focuses on supporting the operational and strategic needs of those leading and managing in today’s highly complex world. Leveraging the education provided in the bachelor of security and emergency management degree, the master’s degree requires a greater synthesis and integration of the critical thinking and analysis skills required for managers and leaders in homeland defense/security and emergency management and associated fields.
The primary objectives of the program are to: prepare students for leadership and management roles in homeland security and emergency management; identify best practices for integrating community planning, security and aspects of prevention and mitigation when preparing communities and regions for a disaster; underscore the need to adopt and manage an “all hazards” approach to preparing for and managing disasters at the tactical, operational and strategic levels of the HSEM enterprise; and develop critical thinking skills, analytical abilities and leadership/management capacity to serve at the executive level in public and private sector organizations.
Applications are reviewed on a continual basis.
Minimum Requirements for Security and Disaster Management Master's Degree: 30 credits
Learn more about the master’s degree in disaster management, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
Occupational Endorsement, Homeland Security
The occupational endorsement in homeland security provides the essential academic preparation and sought-after critical thinking skills necessary for mid-level careers in the homeland security field. At the same time, this certificate serves as a stepping stone into homeland security and emergency management-related degree programs such as the HSEM bachelor’s degree at the College of Business and Security Management.
Minimum Requirements for Homeland Security Occupational Endorsement: 12 credits
Graduate Certificate, Arctic Security
The Arctic security graduate certificate gives students the education and expertise to understand and better navigate the numerous concerns surrounding the Arctic region. With the transforming Arctic and its associated climate, security, geopolitical and resilience-related developments, a thorough understanding of the region will be key to those who work within the fabric of local, state, national and international settings.
An Arctic security graduate certificate represents an endorsement of advanced academic education and a more robust understanding of the operational context of the Arctic.
Minimum Requirements for Arctic Security Graduate Certificate: 12 credits
Learn more about the graduate certificate in Arctic security, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
Graduate Certificate, Climate Security
The climate security graduate certificate provides students with the education and expertise required to understand and better navigate the numerous concerns surrounding climate-related challenges in the realm of security and disaster management. With significant shifts in global climate, new concerns in human, national and international security are emerging, creating challenges for resilience and governance. Understanding how prior climate disaster knowledge can be combined with an understanding of future models, scenarios and planning tools will be needed to navigate the unforeseen consequences and the impacts on populations. A climate security graduate certificate represents an endorsement of advanced academic education and a more robust understanding of climate-related security and resilience concerns and planning considerations.
Minimum Requirements for Climate Security Graduate Certificate: 12 credits
Graduate Certificate, Business Continuity
The business continuity graduate certificate provides students with an in-depth overview of the processes required to build resilience and provide for disaster recovery within both public and private entities. Planning and preparing for the adverse effects of a major crisis brought on by natural disasters, cyber threats and even common emergencies are key to the survival of an organization post-event. Business continuity is an important component in having a successful business, and as such, many organizations are adapting their employee’s roles to include continuity components. This certificate will help students understand those components, teach them how to develop a plan and cover best practices to survive and thrive despite a crisis or disaster. This knowledge, in turn, better prepares employees and businesses for any business disruption that may occur.
Minimum Requirements for Business Continuity Graduate Certificate: 12 credits
Learn more about the graduate certificate in business continuity, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
Graduate Certificate, Cybersecurity Management
The cybersecurity management graduate certificate is designed for the student who desires an in-depth overview of the important topics in providing for the cybersecurity-oriented aspects of managing cyber-related operations. The certificate provides relevant and cutting-edge education specific to the needs of individuals and their associated organizations in providing the technical capability to prevent, plan for and recover from technological incidents. Cybersecurity, a very dynamic field, requires lifelong learning. This certificate program serves as continuing professional education (CPE) for many professional certifications today. Recipients of the cybersecurity management graduate certificate are better prepared for the challenges of the cybersecurity workforce today and in the future.
Minimum Requirements for Cybersecurity Management Graduate Certificate: 12 credits
Learn more about the graduate certificate in cybersecurity management, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
Graduate Certificate, Strategic Leadership
The strategic leadership certificate program focuses on those leadership skills essential to effective strategic executive leadership. In an age of increasing complexity where greater demands are placed on executives to provide vision and pathways to the future, the ability to collaborate effectively, integrate technology, and adapt to an ever-changing environment is essential. Effective strategic leaders today must understand how to create a positive vision that constructively influences both the organization and those within it.
This certificate specifically targets those who wish to either transition into or currently serve at the senior or executive level in the public or private sectors or within nonprofits and who need to better understand the context in which they will be required to develop, collaborate on and consider strategic-level decisions.
Minimum Requirements for Strategic Leadership Graduate Certificate: 12 credits
Learn more about the graduate certificate in strategic leadership, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.
Minor, Military Science and Leadership
The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Program is America’s primary program for training military officers. The Nanook Battalion is a cooperative effort agreed to by the Army and UAF as a means of providing junior officer leadership in the interest of national security. The goal of the program is to assist young men and women with leadership potential in obtaining commissions in the Army Reserve, National Guard or regular Army.
Military science and leadership is an approved minor for the B.A. degree. Army instructors train students in leadership, management and decision-making through academic instruction and practical experience laboratories. These instructors impart qualities necessary for the Army officer and civilian executive.
ROTC is divided into the basic course for freshmen and sophomores and the advanced course for juniors and seniors. Programs and courses can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of individual students who desire to enroll but are past their freshman year.
Basic military science courses are open to all students regardless of whether or not they intend to seek an Army commission. There is no military obligation incurred by enrolling in any of the basic courses.
Students who complete the basic course and desire to pursue the program for a commission may apply for enrollment in the advanced course. A special basic camp, two-year program is available for transfer students and others who were unable to take ROTC prior to their last two years in school. This program allows immediate acceleration into the advanced course. Students should consult the professor of military science prior to June 1 annually for information concerning the basic camp. Students with prior military service may also apply for immediate enrollment as an advanced course student. Applicants must be physically qualified and be selected by the professor of military science. The criterion for selection is based on both academic proficiency and leadership potential.
There are many activities sponsored by the Nanook Battalion. The ROTC Color Guard team opens UAF hockey, basketball and other sporting and community events. They provide a recognized trained and dedicated guard for the national colors during the national anthem and opening ceremony. The Ranger Challenge team represents the Nanook Battalion and UAF in an annual military skill-based competition in Oregon. Army training such as Airborne School, Air Assault School, Northern Warfare Training and Mountaineering School are also offered to eligible students.
At an annual UAF ceremony, awards are presented for outstanding academic, athletic and leadership achievement, as well as excellence in ROTC skills.
Completion of the advanced program will lead to service in the Army as a commissioned officer. Students who compete for a commission are provided a monthly stipend. Advanced course students receive a monthly subsistence allowance during the school year. This allowance is tax-free. Students enrolled in military science are furnished uniforms and texts by the department. Army ROTC scholarships are available for tuition and lab fees, and provide a book allowance in addition to the stipend. Scholarships are awarded for two, three or four years on a competitive basis. Interested students should contact the Military Science Department for further details.
Minimum Requirements for Military Science and Leadership Minor: 19 credits
Programs
Degrees
Occupational Endorsement
Graduate Certificates
- Graduate Certificate, Arctic Security
- Graduate Certificate, Business Continuity
- Graduate Certificate, Climate Security
- Graduate Certificate, Cybersecurity Management
- Graduate Certificate, Strategic Leadership
Minors
Courses
Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM)
HSEM F110 Personal Preparedness (s)
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Students will gain the ability to recognize pending crises and the skills to successfully manage events, using preparedness theory. Students will be able to utilize practical applications should a disaster occur. They will then take all of the preparedness skills they have learned and develop a Personal Preparedness Plan.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F120 Introduction to Emergency Management
3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
This course introduces students to vocabulary and core components of emergency management. Students examine the ever-growing and changing field, leadership and management roles and responsibilities, and the complexity of disruptive events such as emergencies and disasters.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F121 Introduction to Homeland Security
3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
This course introduces students to the vocabulary and components of homeland security. Students examine the importance of the roles and responsibilities of agencies associated with the field, laws affecting homeland security, and the most critical threats within the field.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F223 Terrorism: A Global Threat
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course explores global terrorism's history, key terrorist organizations and their ideologies. We'll analyze their terror tactics, impact on U.S. national security and economic implications. Through case studies, we'll examine specific acts and understand these groups' operational methods.
Prerequisites: HSEM F120 or HSEM F121 (either may be taken concurrently).
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F225 Intelligence Analysis and Security Management
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Course will examine the history of intelligence gathering and espionage in the United States. A succinct study and comparative analysis of intelligence collection methods of other nations will be made. An in-depth study of key U.S. intelligence agencies, their collection methodologies and their effect upon national security will be examined.
Prerequisites: HSEM F120 or HSEM F121 (either may be taken concurrently).
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F227 Transportation and Border Security
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course provides a comprehensive overview of modern border and transportation security challenges since post-9/11, covering various topics, including security at seaports, airports, railways and other transport infrastructure. It delves into technological solutions and examines the legal, economic, political and cultural impacts on border and transportation safety.
Prerequisites: HSEM F120 or HSEM F121 (either may be taken concurrently).
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F231 The Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
In a post 9/11 environment, concerns surrounding the potential use of weapons of mass destruction have been an ever increasing concern. This course is intended to serve as an introduction to the study and history of weapons of mass destruction as a tool of terrorism.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F233 Critical Infrastructure Protection
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course provides tools and techniques to students who desire to increase their knowledge, skills and abilities in the protection of critical infrastructure elements. The course focuses on the predominant infrastructure sectors such as water, energy, SCADA, power, telecommunications, internet and cyberinfrastructure.
Prerequisites: HSEM F120 or HSEM F121 (either course may be taken concurrently).
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F271 Fiscal Management for Emergency Management Operations
3 Credits
Offered Fall, Spring and Summer
Students will learn about the basic accounting and financial requirements for public organizations such as fire, police and similar functions of local governments. The major topics covered include: understanding financial reports, budgeting preparation, and grants and contracts administration.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher; placement, concurrent enrollment or completion of MATH at the F100-level or above.
Cross-listed with ACCT F271.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F301 Principles of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
3 Credits
Offered Fall, Spring and Summer
Provides a foundational perspective as to how our present federal emergency management and homeland security structure emerged with emphasis placed on the characteristics, functions and resources of its integrated systems. Additionally focuses on the principles and practices of homeland security and emergency management at the local, state and federal levels.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F320 Survey of Emergency Management in Rural Alaska
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course explores the basic emergency and disaster management principles and policies that apply to rural communities in Alaska, including the history of emergency management and the disaster response and recovery relationships between rural Alaska communities, the State of Alaska, and the federal government.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F402 Incident Command for Emergency Medical Services
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Topics explored examine scenarios requiring responders to structure their EMS resources within the guidance of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS). Students will practice utilizing the ICS with public safety responders and demonstrate the implementation of EMS components in an ICS system at incidents.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F403 Public Health in Emergencies
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Students will focus on the role public health plays in disaster and emergency management. Topics include public health's role in fostering community resilience, medical intelligence and disease monitoring, behavioral health recovery, ethical considerations, and planning for vulnerable and special needs populations.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F404 Public Safety Instruction
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course provides the student with the tools to help foster public education in their community based on the different resources available to citizens. These resources often include programs at the federal, state, and local governments. Planning for the public safety community, including diverse learning populations, will be also discussed.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F405 Introduction to Emergency Management Exercise Design
3 Credits
Offered Fall
This course examines exercise design, evaluation, and development. The course focuses on developing the skills that are imperative to implementing a Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP) compliant exercise. The course emphasizes the importance of incorporating emergency exercise planning to effectively prepare and respond to all disaster types and magnitudes.
Prerequisites: WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F406 Comparative Homeland Security
3 Credits
Offered Spring
This course aids students in developing an understanding of the homeland security and counterterrorism methods utilized by other countries. The course examines different countries and compares the policies and strategies they have developed.
Prerequisites: WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F407 Comparative Emergency Management
3 Credits
Offered Spring
This course will focus on examining regional and global responses to various types of disasters. Topics covered will include the importance of regional collaboration between nations in disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. Additionally, the roles that regional partnerships play in disaster mitigation will be examined, as well as issues concerning the requirements to sustain collaborative efforts between nations in the 21st century.
Prerequisites: WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F408 Homeland Defense and Security
3 Credits
Offered Fall
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an overview of the categories of military operations (other than war) that require homeland defense and security. A comparative approach will be utilized to compare the U.S. with other countries which use their respective militaries for smaller scale contingencies both internal and external to their borders.
Prerequisites: WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F412 Emergency Planning and Preparedness
3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
This course will examine the concepts of developing and writing an emergency operations plan and the elements necessary for inclusion in the plan (all-hazards risk analysis). Students will transition through the process of identifying hazards, creating plans and developing a program which specifically addresses planning and preparedness objectives.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F415 Cybersecurity in the 21st Century: Technology and Ethics
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course will provide a theoretical and practical overview of the ethics of cybersecurity as a military domain, cybersecurity as a protective requirement in industry and non-profits, and other contemporary issues. The course addresses a range of topics to provide the student with a solid overall theoretical foundation of cybersecurity issues.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301, AIS F310 or AIS F316.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F416 Cybersecurity Management
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Develop an understanding of the concepts, trends and strategies associated with cybersecurity and managing risk. This course will enable managers to understand risks associated with information technology, develop compensating controls or mitigations and implement them. Planning process, mitigation strategies, detection and recovery associated with cybersecurity and risk management are covered.
Prerequisite: HSEM F301, AIS F310 or AIS F316.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F417 Cybersecurity Resiliency
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Cybersecurity resiliency focuses on the challenges faced by organizational leadership resisting, responding, and recovering from cyber-attacks and other events which adversely impact business-critical data. Topics further explore the dynamics of building and maintaining a cyber resilient organization.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301, AIS F310 or AIS F316.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F418 Cybercrime, Fraud and Law
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course introduces cybercrime, including the history of cybercrime in the U.S. and the resulting law and regulatory environment which has resulted. Techniques and resources for investigating cyber incidents will be explored, to include methods used to commit malicious or criminal acts.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301, AIS F310 or AIS F316.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F423 Disaster Response Operations and Management
3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
Topics explored within this course creates an understanding of the principles that promote effective disaster response and recovery operations. Students examine the nature of disasters, roles and responsibilities of various actors, and various problems associated with response and recovery operations.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F434 All-hazards Risk Analysis
3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
This course covers risk analysis and assessment from an All-Hazards emergency management and homeland security perspective. Students will explore vulnerability and risk assessment methodologies for natural, man-made as well as technological disasters/events and develop an understanding of the processes used in identifying and quantifying vulnerabilities in a system (e.g., a physical facility such as a chemical plant, or an infrastructure component such as a power plant).
Prerequisites: HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F439 Supervising Emergency Services
3 Credits
Offered Spring
Issues relating to the supervision of firefighters and emergency environment will be explored. Topics include federal laws, labor relations, coaching, counseling and disciplinary action, managing conflict, motivation, stress, time management, and group dynamics. The course aligns with the National Fire Academy Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education model core curriculum.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F440 Advanced Principles of Fire Service Administration
3 Credits
Offered Fall
This course examines the emergency services field. Topics include community risk management, strategic planning, labor relations, leadership, visioning, managing change, politics, organizational culture, and data analysis. The course aligns with the United States Fire Administration (USFA) Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education Curriculum.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F445 Business Continuity and Crisis Management
3 Credits
Offered Fall, Spring and Summer
Topics include comprehensive emergency management, public and private roles and partnerships for emergency and crisis management, the risk management process, strategic crisis management, contingency planning, training and exercises, emergency response, business continuity and recovery, the role of the crisis management team and crisis communication.
Prerequisites: COM F131X or COM F141X; HSEM F301, AIS F310, AIS F316 or BA F360; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F452 Internship in Emergency Management
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
A supervised practical work experience to enable students to apply their coursework in a fire department or closely related field of emergency services. Admission dependent upon approved sponsorship arrangements.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; BSEM degree; upper-division standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 6 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F456 Leaderships in Dangerous Contexts
3 Credits
Offered Fall, Spring and Summer
Course focuses on the challenges faced by leaders during crisis and emergency circumstances. During emergency circumstances, leading others, being able to influence and motivate them is critical. Topics including leadership and followership, crisis decision making, fear and emotion and the unique circumstances of an emergency manager/homeland security professional are examined.
Prerequisites: BA F390 or HSEM F301; WRTG F111X, WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Cross-listed with LEAD F456.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F461 Human Security in Alaska (an)
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course explores the concept of human security, and takes an individual-centered approach to security, unlike the traditional state-centric approach. Topics covered include economic security, food security, health security, personal security, community security, environmental security and political security. Students will examine Alaska Native life through the human security framework.
Prerequisites: COM F121X, COM F131X or COM F141X; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; junior standing.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F467 Current Topics in Public Safety
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course examines current public safety topics with regards to relevant trends and practices. Topics of interest may include militarization of the police, mass shootings, police-community partnerships, technology, media relations, and transparency.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 3 times for up to 9 credits
HSEM F473 Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course explores the Disaster Risk Reduction framework alongside Climate Change Adaptation approaches, with a focus on proactive planning, risk reduction and comprehensive practices in risk assessment, emphasizing international approaches, focusing on specific hazards, vulnerabilities and potential solutions to climate-driven challenges.
Prerequisites: HSEM F301.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F601 Legal Aspects of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
An in depth examination of the applicable statutory, regulatory and policy aspects regulating the fields of security and disaster management will be undertaken. Topics include relevant statutes such as the Stafford Act, the Economy Act Insurrection Act, Posse Comitatus Act, and those relating to governmental and individual liability/defenses while performing.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM program; or permission of the MSDM program director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F603 Disaster Management Policy
3 Credits
Offered Fall, Spring and Summer
This course provides context for and coverage of disaster management and homeland security. The course explores how social science research can be applied to policy development and everyday practice. Students will discuss and review public policy, organizational management, and leadership issues faced by future practitioners and leaders in the field.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to MSDM program; or permission of the MSDM program director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F605 Community Planning in Emergency Management
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Students will explore how community and urban planning principles affect the homeland security and emergency management enterprise with both traditional emergency manager and urban/community planner in mind to provide a wider perspective as to the considerations of urban and community planning.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM program; or permission of MSDM program director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F607 Vulnerability and Protection
3 Credits
Offered Spring
This course examines security as a discipline and responsibility. The key topics include protection of assets, management principles and concepts, the relationship of security to vulnerability, control of access, terrorist attacks, critical infrastructure protection, insider threats, and workplace violence.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM program; or permission of MSDM program director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F609 Human Security
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Students will explore the major elements of human security and examine traditional security influencers, such as public and mental health, climate change, and population and pathogen migration. The course focuses on the holistic approach of people as the foundation, in terms of cause, effect, and change agents.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM program; or permission of MSDM program director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F613 International Disaster Management
3 Credits
Offered Fall
This course examines international disaster management in relation to historical, socio-economic, risk, hazard, response, preparedness and recovery aspects for international disasters. Special emphasis on the organizations and agencies playing a prominent role in international disaster management will explored as well.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM program; or permission of the MSDM program director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F621 Circumpolar Competition-Arctic Diplomacy and Defense
3 Credits
Offered Fall
The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding on fundamentals involving global competition and how it relates to the Arctic. As a result, an understanding of Arctic Security can be developed through studies defined by the primary security management actors for global issues: diplomatic and defense officials.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or as approved by the program director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F622 Arctic Strategies and Operations
3 Credits
Offered Spring
The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of northern national policies of the Arctic states as well as select non-Arctic states. Understanding Arctic national interests and strategies help inform defense authorities of critical Arctic issues required for diplomacy and security planning, regional dynamics and complex international influences.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or as approved by program director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F632 Project Management
3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
This course is designed to cover key components of project management fundamentals with emphasis on the project life cycle, project definition, project schedule and cost management, human resource allocation and the challenges facing project managers in every industry.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM or MBA program; or permission of MSDM or MBA program director.
Cross-listed with MBA F632.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F641 Information Assurance and Risk Assessment
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Overview of enterprise security, privacy and information security assessment and management, and cybersecurity. Concentration on tangible and intangible costs of risks and examination of information assurance and security risk assessment concepts. Students will understand how to assess information security risks and use that information to develop potential solutions.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM or MBA program or certificates, or as approved by program director.
Cross-listed with MBA F641.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F645 Crisis Management
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
An in-depth review of crisis management to include the different crises an organization may face. The importance of an ethical and strategic response, developing a solid crisis management plan, strong crisis communication, and developing a crisis management team will be discussed.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM, MBA or certificate program.
Crosslisted with MBA F645.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F646 Business Continuity and Risk Assessment
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
In-depth analysis of business continuity to include risk analysis and plan assessment. Overview of potential risks from more than a natural disaster standpoint. The correct way to use risk analyzes while developing a continuity plan will be discussed. The importance of exercising and maintaining a plan will also be reviewed.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM, MBA or certificate program.
Cross-listed with MBA F646.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F647 Business Continuity Audit
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
As part of the business continuity cycle, audits of the business continuity system must be conducted. Topics for this class include: What an audit is, the framework for conducting, how to conduct an audit, the importance of auditing, and what and how the final product should be used.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM, MBA or certificate program.
Cross-listed with MBA F647.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F648 Perspectives in Addressing Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
The course explores the nature of the critical infrastructure, the possible threats that exist or might exist and how they can be countered. Through case studies, we will examine the varied serious potential threats out there to the numerous critical infrastructures we have identified.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM or MBA program or certificates, or as approved by program director.
Crosslisted with MBA F648.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F649 Cyber Threats and Vulnerabilities
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course is focused on threats, vulnerabilities, patch management, incident response, and security operations to identify and protect against internal and external threats. Various security threats will be covered including hacker attacks, e-mail borne viruses, backdoor problems, and internal sabotage. Cybercrime, cybersecurity, and global information security will be discussed.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the MSDM or MBA programs, certificates, or as approved by program director.
Cross-listed with MBA F649.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F656 Strategic Leadership
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Focus on the understanding and application of strategic leadership. We will discuss the process by which leaders make decisions at the strategic level. We will use historical examples of strategic leaders and assess the success-- and failure-- of strategic leadership under the challenging and catastrophic scenarios.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing within the MSDM or MBA programs.
Cross-listed with MBA F656.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F665 Strategic Collaboration
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
This course is designed to explore the techniques of collaboration and communication and their strategic use in managing contemporary organizations. Students will identify their own communication style and how to deploy it in various managerial situations. Topics will include exploring individual personality type and the effect of type on collaboration.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM or MBA program; or permission of MSDM or MBA program manager.
Cross-listed with MBA F665.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F670 Environmental Security
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
The course examines environmental and climate related issues as they pertain to areas of policy and decision making, the process of securitization involved, areas of conflict as they connect to people and infrastructure, and how these factors affect security and disaster management planning efforts.
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing within the MSDM program.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F672 Climate Catastrophes: A Case Study Approach
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
The course examines connections between climate, natural hazards, and security concerns, through security and disaster case studies. We will cover a range of challenges that societies have faced from climate-driven pressures, how those pressures influence security and resilience, and how those lessons apply to security and disaster management efforts.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 6 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F673 Models and Scenarios for Disaster Risk Reduction
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
The course explores how models and scenario planning are used to prepare for current and future hazards. It covers issues of scale (temporal, spatial, and political), uncertainty and extreme events, and how scientific models and tools are used to improve decision-making and reduce risk, primarily focusing on climate hazards.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 6 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F690 Security and Disaster Management
3 Credits
Offered Fall, Spring and Summer
This course serves as the capstone course for the security and disaster management degree. This course should be taken near the end of the student's graduate program. This course will focus on the integration of both security and disaster management in a complex globalized environment.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM program; or permission of MSDM program director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
HSEM F692 Security and Disaster Management Seminar
3 Credits
Offered Summer
This course is designed to bring Homeland Security and emergency management topics into the classroom as necessary. Such topics might include international security, disaster logistics or disaster economics. Additional topics will arise out of current events. This course may be taken 2 times as topics change.
Prerequisites: Must be admitted to the MSDM program; or permission of MSDM program director.
Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0
Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 1 time for up to 6 credits
Faculty
Alec Bennett
Program Director, Bachelor of Security & Emergency Management
Instructor, HSEMapbennett@alaska.edu
907-474-6938
219C Bunnell Building
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Troy Bouffard
Director, CASR
Arctic Congressional Fellow, U.S. Sen. Murkowski
Instructor, HSEMtjbouffard@alaska.edu
907-474-5480
225G Bunnell Building
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Dr. Cameron Carlson
Dean, College of Business and Security Management
Assistant Director, CASRcdcarlson@alaska.edu
907-474-7461
201 Bunnell Building
Troth Yeddha' Campus
Dr. Linda Klitz
Assistant Professor, HSEM
lakiltz@alaska.edu
406-407-0360 (Mountain Time)
Sean McGee
Instructor, HSEM
semcgee@alaska.edu
907-474-6673
222B Bunnell Building
Troth Yeddha' Campus
John Pennington
Program Director, Master of Security & Disaster Management
Deputy Director, CASR
Instructor, HSEMjepennington@alaska.edu
907-474-5797
222A Bunnell Building
Troth Yeddha' Campus
