What’s Behind the Boom in HLS Majors?
A recent article by Jessica Portner entitled “Terror U: What’s Behind the Boom in Homeland Security and Emergency Management Majors?”, attempts to shed light on this question. The author notes that there has been a substantial increase in the number of Universities that are offering Homeland Security, or Emergency Management majors, while at the same time the demand for individuals with experience in Homeland Security related fields has not been filled, with many important positions within various government agencies unfilled. This need is being filled by students from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds that are being drawn together by an unprecedented level of interagency and interdisciplinary collaboration.
According to Portner, the traditionally slow to change academic structure in the United States has rapidly worked to fill this need for qualified individuals, and the last time academic institutions adjusted to workforce demand this quickly was during the late 1950’s and 1960’s when the US developed its space program. Just like in that era, the government provided universities with substantial funding to develop programs to meet the nation’s needs, and not only did this result in an effective space program, but a whole host of new technologies and products were developed during this same process.
The author concludes by noting that the government’s investment in Homeland Security and Emergency Management education will only be truly valuable if individuals within the government are willing to work with and accept the advice of this new generation of Homeland Security academics.
To view the full article, go to: http://www.slate.com/id/2187648.