by Bernard McCarthy, Director of Community and Social Issues Institute, Missouri State University

The Homeland Security and Defense Education consortium (HSDEC) was established by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and its members include teaching and research institutions that are focused on promoting education, research, and cooperation in support of homeland security and defense initiatives.

The consortium is committed to building a community of higher education institutions that support this mission and seek to advance the efforts of homeland security through the sharing of knowledge. They accomplish this goal by promoting and facilitating homeland security-related educational program development; ensuring NORAD and USNORTHCOM perspectives are reflected in educational initiatives; facilitating research related to homeland security; and encouraging cooperation among consortium members.

Recommended Core Curriculum for Homeland Security

• Learning Outcomes for Homeland Security Curriculum
• Department of Homeland Security Education Programs
• Department of Homeland Security First Responder Training

Articles

• Summary of the State of Homeland Security
  This is a summary report requested by the Homeland Security and Defense Education consortium (HSDEC) to review academic programs that comprise the homeland security environment.

• Emergency Management Education: A Status Report
  This article is FEMA’s 2008 Higher Education Program Report summarizing the current status of emergency management higher education in the United States.

•  University of Central Missouri Position Paper
  This is a position paper summarizing homeland security academic programs, initiatives and experiences at the University of Central Missouri, requested by Missouri's Higher Education Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Advisory Council.

Higher Education Consortiums for Security

Colleges and universities may join the following Consortiums to obtain ready access to a wide range of educational materials including curricula and syllabi.

Homeland Security Websites 

• FEMA Academic Emergency Management and Related Courses for the Higher Education Project
• Click here for information related to emergency management and homeland security targeted toward education
• Homeland Security Planning for Campus Executives: Program of Instruction (West Virginia University; 2/9/07)

Videos

Find Campus Emergency Degree Programs

Emergency Management Collegiate Programs by State (2/27/07)