Masters Strategic Planning Critical Infrastructure (MSPCI)

I'm on the Advisory Board for the University of Washington's Masters in Strategic Planning Critical Infrastructure (MSPCI). The curriculum for the course is in the process of being totally revamped to have a new focus on climate change--which I think is very appropriate for the times.

The degree is expected to relaunch in fall 2011, which means they will begin accepting applications in early spring 2011.

Here are some more facts I picked up from an email from Karen Fishler, UW:

The degree will still be interdisciplinary and will still focus on planning. But, though it will retain an all-hazards outlook, there will be a significant emphasis on climate change and its impact on planning for critical infrastructures.

From the strategic planning committee's report:
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"The MSPCI program teaches an interdisciplinary approach to the planning and management of infrastructure systems such as water, food, health, communications, energy, and transportation systems, which are critical to the integrity of the environment, economy, and society. The program provides students with theories and analytical methods of decision-making for the purpose of sustainability across geographic scales and sectors.

"Our approach to sustainability addresses adaptation to climate change. Course content ties together the intended and unintended consequences of infrastructure investments and their governance at the local, national, and global scale. Our curriculum and faculty provide the methods of analysis and mechanisms of implementation needed to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience in the face of sea level rise, extreme weather events, water scarcity, desertification, and the spread of factors for disease."
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The curriculum will be clustered as follows:

• 4 core courses (introduction to critical infrastructures, strategic planning and policy analysis, climate change and infrastructures, finance in critical infrastructures)
• 4 methods courses (risk assessment and COO, applied geospatial analysis, epidemiology and climate change, comprehensive emergency management)
• 6 infrastructure-system courses (energy, water, food, transportation, public health, communications and cyber infrastructure)
• 1 capstone

If you know someone looking to get an advanced degree this might be the one for them--and it doesn't make a difference where you live! I've spoken with many graduates and they were pleased with the quality of the instruction they got. The new curriculum will be timely and spot on!