A Matrix Approach to Homeland Security Professional Education
Jeremy F. Plant, Thomas Arminio, Paul Thompson · Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management · 2011
The field of Homeland Security (HLS) has entered a stage where it is not yet a fully established profession. Drawing on the experience of Public Administration (PA) it is suggested that HLS act like a profession to advance the knowledge, skills, and values essential to its role. To do this, the case example of HLS education at Pennsylvania State University is reviewed. Penn State has chosen a matrix form of organization to provide a core of professional identity while allowing students to choose from five options to guide their program of study. It is argued that this approach provides a balance of common and specific subject matter that corresponds to the need for HLS to evolve as a loosely coupled but emergent profession.