Degree homeland master online security

Business Editors/Education Writers

LOWELL, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2004

Driven by the strong success of the online Master's of Science in Criminal Justice launched in fall 2002, UMass Lowell is again seeing high demand for its newest online Criminal Justice program - the fully accredited, undergraduate certificate in Security Management and Homeland Security. Each of the online certificate's courses filled to capacity within weeks of its introduction this spring semester.

"The threat has always been there but since September 11th, there is a great demand for even more well educated safety and security personnel," says Allan Roscoe, UMass Lowell professor of criminal justice. "This certificate delivers a high quality, accessible online education for security personnel which incorporates the security policies that are already in place."

The Criminal Justice Department at UMass Lowell, which offers the program in conjunction with UMassOnline and the UMass Lowell division of Continuing Studies and Corporate Education, is widely recognized for its excellence and for having one of the most prestigious criminal justice faculties in New England.

"UMass Lowell's Criminal Justice Department faculty is comprised of nationally recognized scholars teaching in their specialized areas of expertise," says Eve Buzawa, chair of the department. "We maintain the same high standards in our online programs as we do in our campus programs. The same full-time faculty teaches online and on campus."

The Security Management and Homeland Security certificate is designed for people working in public safety, security management, and law enforcement, as well as those in corporations managing security programs. Students learn to think critically about security issues in order to advance current policies and practices. Credits earned can be applied to a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. The master's program addresses a broad range of topics with electives in domestic violence, forensic criminology and counter-terrorism.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst campus also offers the six course Criminal Justice Studies Certificate, an online undergraduate certificate offered jointly by UMass Amherst Division of Continuing Education, the UMass Amherst Sociology Department and UMassOnline.

About UMassOnline: UMassOnline delivers high quality online educational programs from University of Massachusetts Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth and Lowell. Academic programs are fully accredited by the relevant accrediting bodies such as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and degrees are granted by the sponsoring campus. To learn more about UMassOnline, visit www.UMassOnline.net.