Longwood University to Offer Homeland Security Minor

FARMVILLE, VA, MAY, 23, 2006 - Central Virginia's Longwood University today unveiled a new program in Homeland Security available as a minor to all undergraduates. The 18-credit hour program offers students interdisciplinary exposure to the global economic, cultural and political issues relevant to homeland security.

Longwoods Homeland Security minor is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge in both foreign and domestic issues that will make students more attractive candidates should they decide to pursue homeland security careers in government or business. Longwoods program is unusual in its focus on preparing students for work in the formation of homeland security policy. Programs at other universities often concentrate on preparing students to work with first responders and on crisis management.

Federal, state and local governments, as well as private sector businesses are spending billions of dollars annually on homeland security products and services, an economic reality that continues to create new jobs. Additionally, a high percentage of employees currently in the field will be retiring over the next five to 10 years.

The combined effects of economic and political globalization, international terrorism and the concern for improved homeland security are now producing a new set of national needs, said Chuck Ross, dean of Longwoods College of Arts and Sciences. Universities across the country are stepping up educational efforts to meet these needs, and Longwood is proud to join them.

Ross and the university anticipate high demand for the Homeland Security minor, especially among criminal justice and computer science majors. Interested students will be required to complete three core upper-level courses: Terrorism and Homeland Security in a Global A ge, International Relations and The Psychology of Terrorism and Homeland Security. Nine additional elective credit hours also are required.

The Homeland Security minor, offered through Longwoods College of Arts & Sciences, can be paired with any academic major. It will be available to students this fall.

About Longwood University

Founded in 1839 in Farmville, Virginia, Longwood University is a coeducational, comprehensive state institution offering programs leading to bachelors and masters degrees in a wide variety of subjects. Longwood has an undergraduate enrollment of 4,300 students, combining the quality of a small, private college with the cost benefits of a public institution. Longwood was cited recently as one of the nations best college buys in Americas 100 Best College Buys, a national publication that profiles schools that are the highest rated academically but have the lowest annual costs. For seven consecutive years, Longwood has ranked among the best in higher education in U.S. News & World Reports Americas Best Colleges annual survey.

http://www.longwood.edu/news/releases/2006/homelandsecurity.html