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Joint degree in Public Safety
A new joint degree—the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Science (MS) in Public Safety—enables learners to earn 2 complementary master’s degrees in less time and at less cost than pursuing the 2 degree programs separately. The joint degree program emphasizes multidisciplinary and collaborative skills that address the cross-sector challenges of public service.

Additional combined degree options
Capella is also launching several new combined degree options that allow eligible learners in certain bachelor’s degree programs to begin earning master’s-level credits after completing at least 100 undergraduate credits. The new combined degree option includes the BS in Public Safety to MS in Public Safety.

Finally, learners can add value to a Capella degree and enhance their career opportunities by pursuing more than one specialization in their program. They can, use electives to earn an additional specialization for little additional time or cost, and apply core knowledge already learned toward more than one specialization.

A recent article on technology and disasters discusses the impact that hubris might have on the current Gulf oil spill catastrophe. Aside from safety often being a secondary consideration, as we advance technologically I wonder if we have taken the time to consider the impact of our advances on the planet. It isn’t a far stretch of the imagination for me to see how the current massive Gulf oil leak, unabated, could have dire consequences for the world’s oceans and ecosystems. Are we experiencing the height of hubris in our belief that we have mastered technology? Do we even care or is our preparedness something that is best left as an afterthought. Then, as the article suggests, we can lament that we should have seen that disaster coming!

Deciding whether or not and when to evacuate a hospital during an emergency situation can be a daunting one, as can the decision of when it is safe to return after the event. New resources from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality are available to help hospital administrators and facility planners make these critical decisions.

The “Hospital Evacuation Decision Guide” walks users through the process of deciding when to evacuate, shelter in place, or defer and reassess as the situation evolves. It distinguishes between “pre-event evacuations”—which are undertaken in advance of an impending disaster (such as a storm) when the hospital structure and surrounding environment are not yet significantly compromised—and “post-event evacuations,” which are carried out after a disaster has damaged a hospital or the surrounding community. The guidance draws upon expert panel experiences as well as lessons learned from past events including the Northridge, CA, earthquake of 1994; the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor incident of 1979; and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Included is a self-assessment worksheet to help hospitals consider the critical infrastructure issues that affect a decision to evacuate.

Capella University wants to honor, recognize and celebrate your efforts, contributions and service. Please visit the challenge site to learn more and to decide if you wish to share with others how you are making the world a better place.

Charles