Operations Management Offers Homeland Security Course During Summer

For the first time since the course's inception, the Master of Science in Operations Management program is offering OMGT 5993 Homeland Security for Operations Management during the summer term.

Richard Ham, designer and primary instructor for the course described the need for the course as "timely and imperative" for those dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.

"The course begins by covering the foundation of the nation's National Incident Management system, used by all levels of government and private industry," he said. "This is the framework for any effective response to a crisis or incident, large or small. It has always been a necessary skill for operations manager and now, more than ever, is necessary for anyone leading an organization during critical events."

The course covers topics including security regimes in supply chains, transportation, human factors, emergency operations and mitigation measures. The Department of Homeland Security risk management and vulnerability assessment profile (CARVER), which is the standard in both public and private industry, is covered and used in case studies to reinforce learning.  The course culminates in a study of realistic security profiles and crisis responses to evaluate effectiveness of various mitigation techniques.

Ham said the course also connects students with real-world experts.

"One of the course features lauded by students is the ability to interact with government and industry leaders to get a perspective on various concepts discussed in the course," he said. "Former speakers have included Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, assistant administrators in the Department of Homeland Security, Fortune 100 cybersecurity and security leaders, and some of our own researchers presenting their findings in significant projects."

The course is part of the M.S.O.M. program and also the foundation course for the Homeland Security Graduate Certificate. 

The M.S.O.M. program continues to develop courses and certificates relevant to current skills required to lead today's workforce, including a new course in development to address crisis management and resilient design. Students interested in taking the course, the M.S.O.M. Program or the Homeland Security Graduate Certificate should contact Lisa Milligan at lmilliga@uark.edu. For more information on the M.S.O.M. program look here operations-management.uark.edu. Those interested in the graduate certificate should go to online.uark.edu/programs/graduate-certificate-homeland-security. All the requirements for MSOM degree or certificates can be completed online asynchronously or with optional video synchronous courses.