UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has launched two new graduate certificates in its homeland security portfolio that can help prepare professionals to combat terrorism and cyberattacks.

The two new courses of study are the counterterrorism certificate and the cyber threat analytics and prevention certificate that are available exclusively online through Penn State World Campus. The two graduate certificate programs are part of a homeland security portfolio that teaches students how to prevent and respond to man-made and natural disasters, and trains the industry’s future leaders working in the public and private sectors, including government agencies and departments.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 12-credit programs. The credits may be applied to an online master of professional studies in homeland security through Penn State World Campus, counting toward either the counterterrorism option or cyber threat analytics and prevention option.

The counterterrorism certificate will focus on understanding the motives, threats, recruitment strategies and operational tactics of terrorist organizations.

“We use a lot of real-world case studies in our courses, and our assignments are modeled on the professional work and reporting that is done in the field,” said James Piazza, liberal arts professor of political science and director of the counterterrorism option. “The certificate equips our graduates to assess contemporary terrorist threats to the United States; draw upon data, case and historical evidence to inform their assessments; to report what they find to a professional audience; and to generally be successful in their careers.”

In the cyber threat analytics and prevention certificate, students will learn to prevent, respond to and recover from cyber threats and attacks. The program focuses on building professionals’ knowledge base in several areas related to homeland security, including domestic and global views of terrorism and violence, data collection and analysis, and privacy and security in the digital age.

“Cyber threats and attacks have become more pervasive and sophisticated than ever before,” said Robin Qiu, professor of information science and director of the cyber threat analytics and prevention option. “Students will be able to implement appropriate methods and tools to help protect their organizational networks from threats and attacks.”

Penn State is a national leader in homeland security education. The program is based on a partnership of seven of the University’s colleges, and Penn State faculty from diverse disciplines and instructors who work for state and federal agencies teach the courses.

Visit the counterterrorism certificate and the cyber threat analytics and prevention certificate websites to learn more about the programs available through Penn State World Campus.