Masters tackles US fears

A US postgraduate programme in homeland security is to be launched to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York.

So far, 70 students have applied for 25 places on the course, to be taught jointly by the University of Connecticut and the Naval Postgraduate School in California. It will cover topics such as how to respond to natural disasters and biological strikes.

"There is a strong market for a masters with a speciality in homeland security and emergency management leadership," said Krista Rodin, Connecticut's dean of continuing studies.

"Homeland security and emergency management are two of the fastest growing areas in higher education."

The two-year course is aimed at private and public staff, including corporate preparedness executives and administrators in the Department of Homeland Security. It will include computer simulations of various disasters in a cybercity developed by the Naval Postgraduate School.