NIU and seven other state universities have collaborated to create a program to educate students and professionals on disaster preparedeness.

The Illinois Innovative Delivery of Education Alliance – Homeland Security will allow students in enrolled in any of the eight state universities to enroll in online homeland security courses at any of the participating schools.

The program will alleviate student concerns about additional billing or credit transfer that typically come with taking courses from other institutions.

The eight universities collaborated because no single university could start a homeland security program from scratch.

Classes will begin online in fall 2008. The program is funded by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

The alliance consists of charter members NIU, Eastern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Governors Stare University, Chicago Stae University and Illinois State University.

NIU is on of three alliance schools with certificate or degree in homeland security topics. Eastern Illinois University and Western Illinois University are the other two.

NIU offers five graduate-level certificates in biochemical sciences, cyber-security, environmental and hazards risk assessment, health science and manufacturing and industrial technology.

NIU also offers undergraduate certificates in these areas, excepting cyber-security.