January 05 Newsletter

In December 2004, the Saint Louis University Board of Trustees granted approval for the Institute for Bio-Security to begin a new Master's Degree program in Biosecurity. To our knowledge, it is the first all distance-based program of its kind in the United States. The degree can be completed in two years.

A subset of the courses will also be offered as a graduate certificate (14 credit hours) for people who do not want to pursue the Master of Science degree. All courses can be taken individually as continuing education at reduced tuition and without going through the formal application process. However, these courses cannot be used for credit toward a degree at a later date without full tuition payment.

The program is designed to meet the growing need of public health professionals, physicians, physician assistants, nurses, veterinarians, emergency management professionals, corporate security and health personnel, law enforcement, and related professionals. The program focuses on the skills required by a biosecurity professional, such as homeland security and consequences management of pandemics. The biosecurity area is among the most rapidly growing disciplines in public health and homeland security.

The distance format of the program targets adult learning that emphasizes critical thinking. Distance technology permits a student to decide when they will study and how long it will take them to get their degree.

Additional information regarding the program (curriculum, entrance requirements, and tuition information) is available at the Institute website, Click Here.

As a result of the establishment of the degree program, the Institute has been accepted into membership in the Homeland Security/Defense Education Consortium sponsored by USNORTHCOM.

Have a question or comment? Email bioterr@slu.edu