Overview

The Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (HSEP) Program is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program that prepares students for industry certifications and college credit related to a broad array of disciplines and professions.

The HSEP Program provides students with a rigorous academic experience and practical application of acquired skills to prepare for a variety of careers in both the public and private sector of industries that serve and protect the citizens of the United States of America. All pathways of study encourage career exploration and challenge students to demonstrate competence, confidence and leadership. Program outcomes include: development of scientific, mathematical, and technological communication skills; demonstrated understanding of one's social and civic responsibility; the ability to articulate a global perspective; and self-management and wellness.

Programs of Study

PGCPS offers up to three HSEP pathways:

• Homeland Security Sciences (HSS);
• Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement (CJLE)

 
The HSEP Program in all three pathways integrate government, academia, and private sector training and educational initiatives to help students understand how the United States and its interests worldwide are protected against manmade and natural threats to public safety. Classroom and experiential activities allow students to demonstrate knowledge and proficiencies for college programs and career positions with various agencies and organizations associated with Homeland Security. These experiences culminate in a capstone project and portfolio.

• HSEP Program Duration: 3 Years
• Beginning Grade Level: 10th
• HSS Pathway Locations SY22: High Point, Parkdale, Potomac
• CJLE Pathway Locations SY22: Bowie, Central, Laurel, Potomac, Surrattsville
• ICT Pathway -  is not being offered in SY 2022

NOTE: Students interested in the HSEP Program must attend one of the boundary schools listed above that offer the pathway of interest. 

All students in the HSEP Program complete the Foundations of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness course, which is focused on protecting against threats to public safety through effective communication, preparedness, detection, prevention, response and recovery. Students in each of the three pathways take two additional specialization courses that explore topics and research methods in their respective areas of concentration. All students conclude the HSEP Program with a Homeland Security Capstone course that includes a research project mentored by higher education and industry partners.

Possible Industry Certifications/Articulated Credits
Students who complete the HSEP Program typically acquire an array of public safety certifications such as First Aid, CPR/AED and Teen CERT as well as selected online Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) independent study course certifications.  ICT pathway students also prepare for Esri industry certification.

• Students who graduate with a 3.0 or better in their HSEP courses are eligible to receive articulated college credit from Frederick Community College (6 credits) and University of Maryland University College (3 credits), if they apply for and enroll in selected programs at these institutions.
  
  
• Esri Technical Certification 10.4 or latest entry-level test (ICT Pathway students only)

Possible Majors

• Civil Engineering
• Criminal Justice
• Cyber Security/Information Technology
• Emergency Management 
• International Relations
• Law Enforcement
• Legal Studies
• Political Science
• Public Safety
• Many other options

Possible Careers/Positions

• Armed Services
• Attorney
• Civil Servant 
• Cybersecurity Professional
• Cyber Forensic Technician
• Disaster Management Planner
• Emergency Manager
• FBI/CIA Agent
• First Responder (Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Fighter, Police Officer)
• Information Security Manager
• Lobbyist
• Network Systems & Data Analyst
• Public Safety Official 
• U.S. Armed Forces Officer
• Many other options

Program Contact Information:
Keith Hayes, Instructional Supervisor
Department of Career and Technical Education
2215 Chadwick Street
Temple Hills, MD 20748
Phone: (301) 669-6012
Fax: (301) 669-6090
Email: keith.hayes@pgcps.org