COURSES

Single-Course Enrollment
Individuals not seeking the degree may enroll in single courses on a space-available basis with instructor permission. For more information, see Admissions.


Strategic Planning and Systems Analysis - SPCI 500 (4 credits)
Helps develop a systems approach to thinking, planning and problem solving. Students use systems analysis to understand and model the nature and functions of an organization. They also study organizational and political aspects of public service systems and dynamic planning and management processes.
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Introduction to Comprehensive Emergency Management - SPCI 501 (3 credits)
Covers principles and practices of risk reduction. Students gain a foundation for other courses in the program while learning how to use emergency management tools, techniques and resources.
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Constitutional Issues in Homeland Security - SPCI 502 (3 credits)
An exploration of challenges to American civil liberties and national security in times of terrorism. Ethical and moral concepts underlying American civil rights and acts of terrorism against the United States are examined, as well as the application of the U.S. Constitution to Homeland Security laws.
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Physical Critical Infrastructure: Power and Fuel Systems, SCADA, Telecommunications, and Water Supply- SPCI 503 (3 credits)
Examines best practices to reduce the vulnerability of critical infrastructure systems due to accidents, natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Vulnerability analysis is introduced through a Model-Based Vulnerability Analysis (MBVA) approach recently developed for application to critical infrastructure protection.
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Applied Geospatial Analysis - SPCI 504 (4 credits)
Provides practical skills to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to define and answer advanced spatial questions and make well-informed decisions as a strategic planner. Deals with spatial analysis and applications to strategic planning, risk management and hazard mitigation.
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Epidemiology of Biological and Chemical Hazards Mitigation I: Principles - SPCI 505 (3 credits)
Provides concepts and methods of epidemiology, the study of the distribution and determinants of diseases, as they relate to surveillance and investigation of health-related conditions or events. Describes controls for infectious agents, toxins and chemicals, and studies drawn from actual outbreaks that illustrate essential epidemiological methods.
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Strategic Planning Practicum I - SPCI 506 (3 credits)
Uses case- and problem-based approaches to teach techniques of planning, decision-making and analysis that apply to all critical infrastructures and threats. Real situations are described in which an individual or group is faced with a decision that affects the public interest.
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Epidemiology of Biological and Chemical Hazards Mitigation II: Applications - SPCI 507 (3 credits)
Presents approaches to deal with terrorism and other emergent threats to public health. Course topics include coordination and communication, enhanced information systems for the timely detection of outbreaks, ways to bolster medical preparedness and response, and training for the health care workforce.
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Risk Assessment and Management - SPCI 508 (4 credits)
Focuses on the integration of risk assessment and management principles into strategic planning and decision-making. Techniques for modeling complex systems and predicting and evaluating risks associated with a variety of sources, pathways, and consequences will be explored. Case studies are used to highlight the complexities of risk-based decision-making.
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Critical Infrastructure Systems: Cyberterrorism and Communications Systems - SPCI 509 (3 credits)
Covers telecommunication and computer infrastructures, and their inter-relationship with other critical infrastructures. System vulnerabilities to environmental damage, hackers and terrorists are detailed, as well as approaches to maintain confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.
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Strategic Planning Practicum II - SPCI 510 (3 credits)
Focuses on how people make quick decisions where time for analysis is limited. Students explore the 9/11 attacks and the Challenger mission in depth, investigating decision-making in disaster situations. Since critical infrastructure protection requires a team effort, theories of group dynamics are also studied.
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Business Continuity Planning - SPCI 511 (3 credits)
Introduces safeguards that organizations can employ to ensure they survive a disaster, using examples from government services, banking and finance. Presents specifics of disaster/crisis management, business impact analysis, contingency planning, continuity of operations, and risk reduction tools. Lessons learned from 9/11 are examined.
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Critical Infrastructure Systems: Public Health - SPCI 512 (3 credits)
Describes how the private and public health-care systems of the United States intersect in dealing with critical situations. Students learn about the distinct cultures of private health-care, public-health and emergency service providers, their existing communication channels, and coordination activities in times of emergencies.
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Strategic Planning Practicum III - SPCI 513 (3 credits)
In this course, (the last in a three-course sequence - SPCI 506, SPCI 510 and SPCI 513), students continue their examination of decision-making and judgment.
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Critical Infrastructure Systems: Transportation - SPCI 514 (3 credits)
Explores transportation systems as critical infrastructure. Examines systems that move both people and freight on land, water, and in the air and that are necessary to keep the economy of the United States moving. Reviews policies, assessment methodologies, the public/private-sector relationship, and how best to make transportation systems more resilient.
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Capstone - SPCI 515 (4 credits)
In this culminating course of the MSPCI program, students select one of several problem-solving methods (problem-based case, tabletop exercise, research paper) and complete a final project focusing on a real-world problem. The project requires mastery of the methodological skills and infrastructure knowledge taught in the program's previous courses.
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Currently MSPCI is under review and no longer accepting applications. Visit our home page to explore certificate programs that are based on the MSPCI curriculum.