The primary focus of HLS 455 is to provide a survey of the broad field of cybersecurity and information security/assurance. Topics will include a definition of information security, the need for information security and cybersecurity in both the public and private sectors, ethical and legal issues revolving around cybersecurity, risk management and planning, and information/cyber security technology. The role of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in securing the cyberspace and the nation's information-related infrastructures will also be explored.

HLS 480 prepares students to effectively enter the workforce via an internship or co-op experience. Students learn to prepare a resume and cover letter, practice interviewing, learn about how their personality matches job descriptions, search for internships, and develop an e-Portfolio that describes themselves, their professional aspirations, skills, etc. Professional ethics, decision making, organizational power, basic leadership and management principles and professionalism are discussed and illustrated.

This course is an overview of key legal, policy, and ethical issues in the context of Homeland Security policy and practice. Students examine legal concepts regarding constitutional rights of individuals, legal process, access to courts, the law of war, and national security principles as they relate to homeland security legislation and policy initiatives. Legal principles of due process, habeas corpus, search and seizure. Compulsory process, and international agreements are explored in greater depth. The law of war will be examined in the context of preemptive war and the current National Security Strategy, the status of combatants and detention, Elements of national security law, intelligence collection and sharing, the Patriot Act, and military-civilian relations, etc.

National security intelligence is a secret nation-state activity to understand or influence an adversarial entity. The United States has a unique Intelligence Community (IC) of 17 organizations that support policymakers. How did the IC develop? How does each component support its mission? This class provides students with an introduction to the history and structure of the United State IC with a focus on the events and policy that shaped its development.