MPA DEGREE WITH A SPECIALIZATION IN
PUBLIC SAFETY & CRISIS MANAGEMENT
IIT offers a MPA Specialization in Public Safety & Crisis Management within the MPA Program. This Public Safety & Crisis Management Specialization is oriented to professionals interested in public safety management.
The MPA Specialization program at IIT requires 33 credit hours to graduate and the successful completion of a comprehensive exam. A thesis is not required for this degree. In its place, the student must complete a final research-based semester project, addressing a real-world administrative, organizational or operational problem in the capstone course, PA 509 Practicum in Policy Analysis.
The normal program of study requires 24
credit hours in the administrative processes core curriculum as
follows:
PA 501 Introduction to Public Administration
PA 502 Complex Organizations
PA 503 Public Administrative Law
PA 510 Managerial Communications*
PA 522 Public Personnel Administration
PA 532 Principles and Practices of Public Finance
PA 542 Strategic Planning
PA 509 Practicum in Policy Analysis
*Can be waived with satisfactory completion of written exercise administered in course PA 501 Introduction to Public Administration or with the approval of the Academic Director. If waived, the student will be required to take a 4th elective course.
- Take 9 credit hours (3 courses) from the following:
PA 536 Strategy and Structure: Homeland Security
The course introduces the student to the National Strategy for Homeland Strategy and describes the structure under which it was originally designed, the events that have affected the original concept and the various changes that it has undergone since the events of 9/11/2001. The student will become intimately acquainted with the key legal parameters affecting HS and the governmental components involved in HS operations, enforcement and intelligence. An emphasis on the overall integration of State, local, tribal and private sectors will enable the student to apply the tenets of HS to their own individual situations. Other topics will include an understanding of how to conduct Threat Assessments as well as a cursory understanding of the Intelligence Cycle. (3-0-3)
PA 537 Homeland Security/Crisis Management - This course will examine theories, practices, and issues involved in assessing and managing risks in the post 9/11 era of homeland security issues. The management of risk and the ability to manage under crisis will be reviewed through case studies to prepare the student for the future as well as the threat of terrorism.
PA 538 Information Systems Security/Cyber-crime - This course provides an in depth review of topics in cyber-crime issues in the public safety field. It includes issues involved with policy and legal issues and tools used for network security.
PA 539 Local Government Management and Public Safety - This course examines the governmental structure in which public safety administrators work and studies the interrelationship of public safety administrators with the rest of the organization. The leadership and management roles of public safety officials, finances and budgeting in local government, and ethics in the profession will be examined.
PA 553 Public Safety Administration - This course examines traditional managerial principles and considers their applicability and the necessary reforms that have resulted from changing technology and strategies in the post 9/11 era. It will look at the proactive roles of public safety in the community.
PA 588 Incident Response, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity - In this course, students learn to design and manage key business information security functions including incident response plans and incident response teams; disaster recovery plans; business continuity plans; and crisis management teams and plans. Reporting, response planning and budgeting are all addressed. Students working in teams will prepare an incident response, disaster recovery, business continuity, or crisis management plan for a real world organization, such as a business or a governmental body or agency.
- Undertake a 3 credit hour internship with an existing public safety organization. If the student does not have public safety work experience, a weekly 4-hour placement outside their current employment is required. The internship will provide students an opportunity to gain experience in public safety activies as well as offering an opportunity to apply the lessons they are learning in the classroom setting.
- Successfully pass a MPA Preliminary Exam, prior to registering for fifth course in program.
Faculty
The MPA program has faculty with considerable experience in the public safety management: Among them are:
Bill Disselhorst, adjunct faculty, has over 32 years experience working in the Chicago Police Department. He has served as a watch commander/administrative lieutenant.
Jennifer Lin, Adjunct Professor. B.A., University of Texas, J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, M.P.A., Illinois Institute of Technology.
Karl Nollenberger, MPA Program Academic Director, has worked in local government management for 35 years including police, fire and emergency departments.
Anatol Longinow, Ph.D, PE, adjunct faculty, has over 40 years of experience as a consultant/contractor/ investigator for civil defense agencies.
Ray Trygstad, Professor. B.S., United States Naval Academy; M.S., University of Denver; Ph.D. Candidate, IIT. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity, Information Systems Securities.
IIT also offers a Certificate Program in Public Safety & Crisis Management.
Both programs are offered at the IIT Downtown Chicago Campus at 565 W. Adams. Some of the courses in these programs may be provided at the Chicago Police Academy located at 1300 W. Jackson or the Rice Campus of IIT dependent upon demand.
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