该多学科计划为科学专业人士为国土安全领域的职业做准备。该计划具有动手研究的组成部分，使学生能够将其培训应用于实际问题。物理威胁领域涉及对物理，生物学和化学应用的研究，以检测，量化，预防和消除放射性，核，生物，爆炸和化学威胁。网络防御涉及对信息系统攻击的预防，检测和补救的研究。
This multidisciplinary program prepares science professionals for careers in the Homeland Security area. The program features hands-on research components to enable students to apply their training to real-world problems. The physical threats area involves the study of applications of physics, biology and chemistry to detect, quantify, prevent and decontaminate radiological, nuclear, biological, explosive and chemical threats. The cyber defense are involves the study of prevention, detection, and remediation of attacks on information systems. The program helps to improve the security of the nation, while preserving our values, freedoms, and economy. It supports innovative, leading-edge intra-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary research, study, and technology development, leading to practical, affordable solutions to the current and future security challenges the United States faces at home and around the world. The program is designed to stimulate, coordinate, and utilize the unique intellectual capital in the academic community to address current and future homeland security challenges, and educate and inspire the next generation of homeland security specialists addressing the existing gap in science professionals trained in crosscutting security applications of physics, chemistry and biology. The program's research and educational focus areas are closely aligned with WKU's strategic goals to foster applied science and technology.