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Nuclear Safeguards and Security Certificate (On-line)

Program Description:

There is a need for highly qualified experts in nuclear security and safeguards. Jobs in power production, medicine, industrial use, and the military require specialized training to protect against malicious acts with nuclear and radioactive material, including activity through cyber channels. Changes through workforce attrition as well as rapidly evolving technology impact a country’s level of readiness for nuclear and radiation-related security and safeguards. In line with this context, the Center for Advanced Energy Studies and its collaborator institutions have partnered to offer both degree and non-degree students and professionals the opportunity to develop unique knowledge and expertise. Such training will enhance students’ and professionals’ performance in careers requiring in-depth understanding of policy and engineering challenges in safeguarding and securing nuclear material and technology.

This Nuclear Safeguards and Security certificate program will offer degree and non-degree seeking students and professionals the opportunity to develop unique knowledge and expertise that will enhance their performance in nuclear security and safeguards-related careers. The courses that form this certificate provide in-depth understanding of policy and engineering challenges in safeguarding and securing nuclear and radioactive material and associated technology.

The certificate is tied to the School of Public Policy at Boise State University (BSU), Nuclear Engineering Department at Idaho State University (ISU), and the Nuclear Engineering and Industrial Management Department at the University of Idaho (UI). Those who are interested can apply to any of the three partner universities for admittance into the certificate program. All courses are online.

Courses are currently being offered with one per semester. Note: You can take one or more of these courses without pursuing the certificate. You can also determine whether to pursue the full certificate during the time period up to your last semester.

Admission:

Prospective students can apply as degree or non-degree seeking students by signing in here — Apply here.

If you are a student with University of Idaho or Idaho State contact:
Matthew Bernards (Univ Idaho), mbernards@uidaho.edu, or
Dan LaBrier (Idaho State), labrdani@isu.edu.

The costs for the Spring 2025 course (3 credits) on Security Regulation and Policy for Nuclear, Radiation and Cyber-related Risk are approximately $1,578 for Idaho residents and $2,910 for out-of-state residents. See the costs page for more details.

Program admission requirements and learning outcomes can be found in the Graduate Course Catalog.

General Requirements:

This certificate requires 12 credit hours of coursework. Required courses are offered by Boise State University, Idaho State University, and University of Idaho.

Courses:

  1. BSU – PUBADM 555/CS597 Security Regulation and Policy for Nuclear, Radiation and Cyber-related Risk (3 credits lecture)
  2. BSU – CS581 Cybersecurity for Nuclear Industry (3 credits lecture)
  3. ISU – NE 5588 or NE4488 Nonproliferation and Nuclear Safeguards (3 credits lecture)
  4. UI – NE 513 Nuclear Security Science (3 credits lecture)

Contact:

Kathy Araujo, Program Director at Boise State
208-426-4845, kathleenaraujo@boisestate.edu

Matthew Bernards, Program Director at University of Idaho mbernards@uidaho.edu

Dan LaBrier, Program Director at Idaho State
labrdani@isu.edu.