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Eastern Kentucky University Offers Programs Addressing all Facets of the First Responder Community

Eastern Kentucky University’s internationally renowned College of Justice & Safety has responded to the nation’s growing homeland security needs and issues by offering a four-year bachelor’s degree program in Homeland Security that will emphasize the first responder aspects of emergency preparedness and homeland security, such as fire, police and emergency medical care. The bachelor’s degree is designed to instruct students on how to help secure borders, airports, waterways and seaports; respond to natural disasters or terrorist assaults; analyze intelligence; and research the latest security technology. In addition to providing students with a broad understanding of safety and security issues, EKU’s Homeland Security bachelor’s degree program focuses on four vital components of homeland security: Prevention and Protection, Preparedness and Response, Information Sharing and Analysis, and Research and Technology. The creation of a homeland security degree was a natural development for EKU’s College of Justice & Safety, which houses programs addressing all facets of the first responder community affected by homeland security issues. The College, a Kentucky Program of Distinction, is uniquely positioned to provide quality instruction and cutting-edge information to students enrolled in the program. “We have a new homeland security technology and research lab and we’ll soon have new rooms and offices to support our Homeland Security Institute,” said Dr. Allen Ault, Dean of EKU’s College of Justice & Safety. Homeland Security has evolved to not only include concerns regarding terrorism, but also natural and man-made disasters, and emergency management. The Homeland Security degree program will prepare students for the growing fields of safety, security and emergency management. The demand for employees with knowledge and experience in security and emergency management fields is high and only increasing.  Consequently, the employment prospects for students who graduate with a degree in Homeland Security are strong. Graduates of the Homeland Security degree program will be prepared to work in a variety of settings and capacities such as private businesses, emergency management, safety management, intelligence analysis, private security, airports, law enforcement, FBI, Secret Service, the DEA, Air Marshals, customs investigators, special agents, military service and border patrol. “Homeland Security faculty members are internationally known for their research and scholarship activities,” said Dr. Kay Scarborough, coordinator of the program. “In addition to their educational backgrounds, they have diverse experiences in law enforcement, safety and security, homeland security technology research and development, and emergency management. Additionally, faculty members are committed to student success and development, as well as advancing the field of homeland security. “This combination of traditional academic knowledge and ‘real-world; experience enriches the room experience for students of the program,” she said. “Students will leave es with an in-depth understanding of all facets involved with contemporary homeland security issues.”University Contact:Dr. Kay Scarborough, Program Coordinatorkscarbocop@aol.comwww.homelandsecurity.eku.edu