This certificate offers a set of courses designed to enhance students' knowledge of several aspects of homeland security including origins of terrorism, disaster preparation, disaster response, recovery, and follow-up. The certificate prepares students to develop and implement systems for homeland security planning and management at the local, state, and federal levels. They will be able to identify hazards due to human-made and natural disasters, advise public and private organizations of best-practice risk management preparation, response, and recovery strategies, and use appropriate technologies. They will have an understanding of the conditions that may lead to terrorist activity as well as how to prepare for and deal with human-made and natural disasters. The certificate of undergraduate study in homeland security is open to all students admitted to NIU. Students must maintain good academic standing, achieve a minimum grade of C in each course applied toward the certificate, and complete all certificate work within a period of six calendar years. All course requirements for the certificate must be completed at NIU. Some courses may have prerequisites that are not part of the certificate curriculum. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the core courses early in the certificate curriculum. Students pursuing the certificate of undergraduate studies in homeland security should meet with the certificate coordinator early in their career.