Texas A&M University’s contribution to homeland security will increase in fall 2008 with the introduction of a master’s degree program in Homeland Security Studies.

“It’s a general change in the world in which we live. Technology is giving small disgruntled groups the power to have major impact on society,” said David H. McIntyre, director of the Integrative Center for Homeland Security, ICHS, at A&M.

“Even if the threat from Islamic terrorism ended, the threat from [the] Timothy McVeigh [responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing of 1992] style of terrorism will exist. Also, as we become a more complex society, natural disasters have an even greater impact upon us.”

Jeanine Kantz, who works at the ICHS, said homeland security is becoming more of an all-hazards focus, not just on the threat of terrorism.