In 2003, the idea to bring a unique set of courses to the students of Joppatowne High School was conceived. This idea quickly materialized into a program based on the emerging job market of the region, Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (HSEP). It is estimated that the Homeland Security industry is increasing from the 40 billion dollar business of 2004 to a 180 billion dollar industry by 2015. The program at Joppatowne High School introduces students to careers and educational experiences available in this ever-growing industry. In the fall of 2007, Joppatowne High School welcomed the fist group of tenth grade students. Currently, there are 52 tenth graders, 56 eleventh graders and we eagerly anticipate the our new class of 66 students in the fall of 2009.

The mission of the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Magnet Program is to provide students with career skills and technological expertise in the areas of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

The Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Program is offered to all ninth grade students at Joppatowne High School. Those who express an interest and fulfill the requirements are accepted and begin the first course in the fall of their 10th grade year. To be admitted, Joppatowne High School requires that all students uphold proper discipline and attendance codes as outlined by Harford County Public Schools and successfully pass all ninth grade core classes: Earth Science, English, Government and Mathematics. In the 10th grade, students take an introductory course that focuses on the interdependence of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness agencies, guidelines and concepts. Students research and develop action plans used at the federal, state and local levels. At the of this course students choose one of the following three pathways to focus on for the 11th and 12th grades.

• Homeland Security Sciences



• Information/Communications Technology



• Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement

The Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Program is comprised of four courses. The first course, Foundations of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, is completed in the tenth grade. Students then complete 3 courses in ONE of the following pathways described below.

Homeland Security Sciences Pathway

• Course 2: Homeland Security Sciences- chemical and biological threat identification, protection, detection and decontamination concepts (1 credit)
• Course 3: Homeland Security Science Research Methods and Applications- laboratory skills, scientific writing and research (1 credit)
• Course 4: Internship/Capstone Project- Each student will complete either a 1 credit career exploration course focusing on a series of job shadowing experiences or a 2 credit internship combined with a professionally-mentored research project (1 or 2 credits)

Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice Pathway

• Course 2: Administration of Justice I- Introduction to the justice system, which includes criminal law processes and enforcement (1 credit)
• Course 3: Administration of Justice II- Roles within law enforcement will be explored such as: first responders and evidence collection/analysis (1 credit)
• Course 4: Internship/Capstone Project- Each student will complete either a 1 credit career exploration course focusing on a series of job shadowing experiences or a 2 credit internship combined with a professionally-mentored research project (1 or 2 credits)

Information/ Communications Technology Pathway

• Course 2: STARS I– Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (1 credit)
• Course 3: STARS II– Skill-Based Training for Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (1 credit)
• Course 4: Capstone course- Each student will complete a GIS Technician Certification and take part in job shadowing opportunities (1 credit)

• Harford Community College offers any student who completes the Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice pathway with an average of B or higher three credits for the Criminal Justice 101 course.
• The Community College of Baltimore County offers any students who completes succesfully completes the GIS Technician Certification in our Information/Communications Technology pathway three credits.

• USA Today (High School Course Aims for Better Citizens)
• ABCNews.com (How to Stop Terrorism? Begin in School)