New homeland security program offered by CTC

Central Texas College will soon begin offering a new homeland security degree program for individuals interested in entering the field of emergency management planning or other emergency response positions. Beginning this summer, students can earn a twoyear associate of applied science degree with 68 credit hours or a certificate of completion with 32 credit hours.

The new degree program will prepare students for decision-making and problem-solving while providing planning skills for the implementation and coordination of resources necessary for preparedness, mitigation, response and disaster recovery.

"The program is not geared toward border patrol work or law enforcement but was established to provide skills for complete emergency preparedness management, be it from natural disaster, industrial accident or terrorist attack," said Dr. Gene Silverblatt, director of the new program.

"It will benefit new students interested in this field as well as current emergency response personnel looking to update or broaden their skills."

Initially, the program will be offered only online. Plans are to offer classroom instruction based on demand and student response to the online program. Many of the program's courses are pre-approved equivalents to classes offered by the Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Some of the new courses include emergency communications management, homeland security intelligence operations, critical infrastructure protection and managing mass casualty and fatality incidents.

The program also includes an internship in homeland security and emergency management. This work-based learning experience will enable the student to apply specialized occupational theory, skills and concepts in an actual job setting.

Work in emergency management/ homeland security is constantly changing. It ranges from preparing and reacting to pandemics, hurricanes, terrorism and other catastrophic events. Predicted growth across the country in the career field is 9 percent nationwide and even greater in Texas.

Jobs in the field are available in every state at the local, state and federal government level.

There also are opportunities with private companies and non-profit organizations. Entry level salaries for graduates with an AAS degree range from $44,000 to approximately $50,000 per year.

Anyone interested in the new homeland security degree program can learn more online at www.ctcd. edu/busiadmin/hls.htm. Alcoholics