Security Coursework Booming on Campuses

Slate magazine reports that homeland security and disaster preparedness courses are booming on college campuses, much as science and technology studies did after the Russians sent Sputnik into space in 1957.

“More than 200 colleges have created homeland-security degree and certificate programs since 9/11, and another 144 have added emergency management with a terrorism bent,” Slate advises.

The Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies are fueling this academic upsurge with grants to colleges for new coursework, and jobs with security or disaster management content are going begging for lack of appropriately trained applicants.

The cresting campus interest in preparedness courses isn’t surprising in light of 9/11 and all that its aftermath suggested about the need to professionalize security work. What can be hoped is that the new courses include not just techniques, but a heavy emphasis on clear-sighted and responsive thinking – sorting out fact from fancy – timeless needs on the national scene.