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HOMELAND SECURITY STUDIES

 

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in homeland security is the first MPS degree approved by Tulane University. The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) is a recognized graduate degree program concentrating in applied fields of study. The MPS degree is often a terminal degree and is usually either interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary. The fields of concentration are in areas not readily aligned with traditional disciplines of university graduate study. The more traditional Master of Arts or Master of Science degrees primarily concentrate on research, methodology, and theory, serving as a benchmark toward the PhD. The Master of Professional Studies, by definition and application, emphasizes learning relevant to professional employment. In short, it focuses primarily on practical, applied disciplines requiring fieldwork or internships as complements to the curriculum. MPS programs provide specialized, experiential learning in a range of professional careers, including historic preservation, public relations, human resource management, and homeland security. Several leading universities in the United States offer the MPS. Among them are Cornell University, City University of New York, Georgetown University, New York University, and the University of Denver.

Tulane University's School of Continuing Studies offers a multidisciplinary Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree. The MPS degree program at Tulane consists of four core graduate courses that cover a range of academic disciplines including medical issues for non medical emergency managers, intelligence analysis, maritime security and advanced approaches to counter terrorism. The Master of Professional Studies program welcomes students of diverse educational backgrounds and promotes the acquisition of knowledge through scholarly research and writing.

After successfully completing the core courses, students may take six homeland security graduate courses to complete their degree. However, a student may choose to substitute (with director approval) up to 9 credit hours (3 classes) from a set of preapproved courses located within the School of Continuing Studies MLA program, School of Liberal Arts, School of Science and Engineering, the School of Social Work, the Payson Center and the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. This list of courses will be maintained by the director of the MPS program. In consultation with the MPS director, students will develop an individual plan of study consistent with the degree objectives and tailored to their interests.

ADMISSION

  • Students applying to the MPS program must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Students must submit an application (see below) including a brief statement of 250-500 words describing how graduate education at Tulane University can assist with the achievement of their objectives.
  • Students must submit official college transcripts from each college attended.
  • Ordinarily, a successful applicant has at least a B (3.00) average in all coursework taken.
  • Completed applications are reviewed by the MPS director and Admissions Committee throughout the year. The MPS application may be submitted to the School of Continuing Studies after the applicant has consulted with the MPS director about the program.

Conditional Admission

Applicants to the MPS program may be conditionally admitted. Conditional admission stipulates that the student is limited to one course in his/her first semester of enrollment. Such students must earn a grade of "B" or better to gain regular admission. Students who do not receive a grade of "B" or better will not be admitted to the MPS program.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The School of Continuing Studies awards the MPS degree following the successful completion of ten graduate courses comprised of four core 600-level courses and six 700-level courses, which may include graduate courses from other Tulane schools. No thesis is required. Students may not apply more than two independent study courses toward fulfilling graduation requirements for the MPS. In order to earn the Master of Professional Studies degree, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00. Students must also submit an application for degree, available from the School of Continuing Studies Dean's office, at the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to complete all required coursework.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS REQUIREMENTS

Students admitted to the MPS program must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.00 or better to be considered in good academic standing. Students whose grade point average falls below 3.00 will be placed on academic probation and limited to a maximum of six credit hours in the subsequent semester. Students will be removed from academic probation when they earn an overall grade point average of at least 3.00.

Students may apply one "B-" toward degree requirements; however, students who earn a second "B-" will be dismissed from the program. Students who receive a grade of "C+" in any coursework attempted will be dismissed from the program.

TRANSFER CREDITS

Students in good standing may petition to transfer a maximum of nine credit hours (three courses) of graduate coursework from other colleges or universities to the MPS degree. However, only courses with grades of "B" or better, completed within five years of enrolling in the MPS program, may be considered for transfer credit.

GRADUATE FACULTY

The Graduate Faculty of the School of Continuing Studies consists of the Dean of the School of Continuing Studies, the Director of the MPS program, and other faculty members who have experience teaching MPS students.

TUITION

Tuition for the 2014-2015 academic year is $1,578 for a three-credit course. For the 2015-2016 academic year, tuition is $1,656 for a three-credit course.

MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES IN HOMELAND SECURITY STUDIES

Core Requirements

  • HMLS 6150 Health and Medical Issues in Emergency Management
    HMLS 6500 Intelligence Analysis/Critical Thinking
    HMLS 6600 Homeland Security and Approaches to Counter-Terrorism
    HMLS 6700 Maritime and Border Security

MPS Masters Courses

    Select six courses:
  • HMLS 7200 Domestic and International Terrorism
  • HMLS 7250 Emergency Management
  • HMLS 7500 Intelligence Research, Methods, and Analysis
  • HMLS 7600 Critical Infrastructure and Interdependencies
  • HMLS 7700 Transportation and Border Security Strategy
  • HMLS 7750 Homeland Security: The National Challenge
  • HMLS 7800 Cyber Threats and Homeland Security

COURSES APPROVED FOR MPS

School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

  • GEHS 6430 Crisis and Emergency Communication
  • GEHS 6910 Environmental Aspects of Disaster Response
  • GEHS 6920 Environmental Sampling, Monitoring, and Analysis in a Disaster
  • GEHS 6930 Populations Issues During Disasters
  • GEHS 6940 Environmental Aspects of Disaster Recovery
  • GEHS 6960 Public Health Law
  • GEHS 7100 Community Resiliency in Public Health Disasters
  • GEHS 7910 Environmental Disaster Response Planning and Implementation
  • GEHS 7930 Special Needs in Disaster Response
  • INHL 6250 Introduction to Health and Nutrition in Complex Emergencies
  • INHL 6220 Program Management Skills in Crisis and Transition Settings

School of Social Work

  • SOWK 7070/GEHS 6950 Psychological Aspects of Disasters
  • SOWK 7080/GEHS 7950 Psychological Interventions in Disaster Management

Payson Center

  • IDEV 6220 Introduction to Human Aspects of Disasters and Complex Emergencies
  • IDEV 6230 Food Aid and Food Security in Humanitarian Settings
  • IDEV 6310 Ethnic Conflict
  • IDEV 6610 Environment and Development
  • IDEV 6670 International Political and Economic Relations
  • IDEV 6690 Project Management and Costs

Approved for HMLS Graduate Program

  • EENS 6050 Natural Disasters
  • HISU 6500 Emergence of the Modern U.S., 1917-1945
  • POLI 6630 International Security

NOTE: The School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine will charge our students the same tuition rate per credit hour as the School of Continuing Studies for the following three courses: GEHS 691 Environmental Aspects of Disaster Response, GEHS 693 Populations Issues During Disasters, and GEHS 694 Environmental Aspects of Disaster Recovery.

However, courses offered by other Tulane schools/departments may charge a higher tuition rate per credit hour.

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