The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs is quickly developing a reputation as a premier venue for the study of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (HSEP). The attacks of September 11, 2001 made an irreversible mark on public policy in the United States, while Hurricane Katrina reminded everyone that natural disasters cannot be overlooked. The HSEP program recognizes this dual nature and is designed to give students both theoretical and practical knowledge that will prepare them for: 1) private or public sector employment in the expanding area of homeland security; 2) private or public sector employment in emergency preparedness for natural hazards and security-related incidents; and 3) graduate study in social science or professional programs. The academic focus of the program is on managing the complexities of disaster planning and response. Courses include emergency planning, terrorism, legal and constitutional issues, strategic planning, intelligence, risk and vulnerability assessment, international relations, and US government. The quality of VCU’s academic and professional programs, its location (in a state capital, 90 miles from the nation’s capital), and the contacts it has made during the program development phase have made VCU’s program a pioneer in the field.

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