Southwestern College Professional Studies

Is an Emergency Planning Graduate Certificate for Me?

The Graduate Certificate in Emergency Planning is designed to prepare the executive security professional for assessing and designing contingencies for public and private security measures in a global society. Threats to safety and systems are examined and emphasis is given to the analysis of models and practices. Learners will examine the cost-benefit comparisons of contemporary, theoretical, and practical models.

Courses

Required Courses

MSA 515 Physical Security Planning and Vulnerability Assessment
MSA 570 Homeland Security Defense and Administration
MSA 575 Best Practices and Special Issues in Homeland Security
MSA 580 Terrorism: Perspectives and Consequence Mgmt
MSA 585 Emergency, Disaster, and Contingency Management

Course Descriptions

MSA 515 Physical Security Planning and Vulnerability Assessment

This course emphasizes real-world concepts, principles, and processes for building security and safety design, including assessing needs and working with security consultants. Security design concepts, security evaluation and planning, building hardening, security technology, and biochemical and radiological protection are covered. Conducting vulnerability assessments of physical protection systems from the start of planning through final analysis, including senior management briefing, is examined.

MSA 570 Homeland Security Defense and Administration

This course provides a comprehensive overview of America’s homeland security system, including key federal, state, local, and private organizations. Policy issues, technologies, legislation, preparedness recommendations, and trends are analyzed. Threat assessments, critical infrastructure protection, weapons of mass destruction, cyber-terrorism, business preparedness, and emergency response and public protection are covered as well.

MSA 575 Best Practices and Special Issues in Homeland Security

Learners in this course will examine the current ability of national, state, and local agencies to respond to terrorism. Lessons learned and best practices from past emergencies and terrorist events are reviewed to identify preparedness and mitigation methods. Individual and local government preparedness, response, and practices are covered.

MSA 580 Terrorism: Perspectives and Consequence Management

Learners in this course will thoroughly examine the complex issues surrounding terrorism via a discussion of theories, domestic and international threats of terrorism, motivations for terrorism, and a review of the various religious, ideological, nationalistic, and ethnic movements taking place around the world. Consequence management is studied with a review of the incident management system, federal response plan, weapons of mass destruction effects, mass casualty decontamination, crime scene operations, and technology and emergency response.

MSA 585 Emergency, Disaster, and Contingency Management

This course outlines the essential roles of corporate and municipal managers and demonstrates the importance of their relationships with federal, state, and local government agencies as well as public and private community sectors. The emergency response plan, hazards, personnel training, and hazard and risk reduction strategies are covered. Contingency planning to protect vital facilities and critical operations is discussed via an implementation strategy, guidelines for minimizing development costs, and proven plan development methodology.

Admission Requirements

Anyone interested in completing the Emergency Planning Certificate may complete a Southwestern College Professional Studies Graduate Application for Admission. The five courses comprising the Emergency Planning Certificate can be completed in eight months or less in convenient 6-weeks classes.

Individuals completing the Emergency Planning Certificate at Southwestern College may apply all of these 15 credit hours earned toward a Master of Science degree in Security Administration.

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