(a)
Establishment
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall establish a graduate-level Homeland Security Education Program in the National Capital Region to provide educational opportunities to senior Federal officials and selected State and local officials with homeland security and emergency management responsibilities. The Administrator shall appoint an individual to administer the activities under this section.
(b)
Leveraging of existing resources
To maximize efficiency and effectiveness in carrying out the Program, the Administrator shall use existing Department-reviewed Master’s Degree curricula in homeland security, including curricula pending accreditation, together with associated learning materials, quality assessment tools, digital libraries, exercise systems and other educational facilities, including the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, the National Fire Academy, and the Emergency Management Institute. The Administrator may develop additional educational programs, as appropriate.
(c)
Student enrollment
(1)
Sources
The student body of the Program shall include officials from Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, and from other sources designated by the Administrator.
(2)
Enrollment priorities and selection criteria
The Administrator shall establish policies governing student enrollment priorities and selection criteria that are consistent with the mission of the Program.
(3)
Diversity
The Administrator shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the student body represents racial, gender, and ethnic diversity.