Self-assessment Essay
The self-assessment essay is a statement specifying: (1)
your reasons for seeking graduate education in homeland security, (2) the ways
your background and experience flow logically toward such an endeavor, (3) what
you believe will be your future contributions to homeland security, and (4)
what research you intend to do while at CHDS. We will use the information you
provide about your experience, motivation and intentions to assess your
potential contributions to the future of homeland security.
When writing your self-assessment essay, you may consider
the following categories. While they do not represent topics to adopt for the
essay, they serve as examples of items or issues that could be incorporated in
your essay:
– The
unique contributions you can make to the study and practice of homeland
security.
– Your
ideas about possible and desirable futures of homeland security.
– The
contribution your background and educational experiences have made to your
success in public safety, public administration, or homeland security.
– Your
current position, opportunities, challenges, and successes in improving
the quality of life of the citizens of your jurisdiction.
– The
value of a graduate degree in homeland security to you and your
organization, agency, jurisdiction, or state.
– Your
assessment of your career path and the progression of your positions as
well as the contributions you expect to make over the next five to ten
years in the fields of public safety, public administration, or homeland
security.
– What
you consider to be significant challenges faced by your jurisdiction in
the next decade and the ways you will be able to assist in meeting those
challenges.
– An
example or several examples of the homeland security-related topics you
consider critical in your jurisdiction and your plans to research those
topics while at CHDS.
The self-assessment essay should be double-spaced and
between 3-5 pages in length. It will be evaluated based on the development,
depth, and organization of your writing; your current and future role in
homeland security strategy and policy; the importance of your contributions to
homeland security; and the importance you place on your role after receiving
the graduate degree.
To score high on the self-assessment essay, you must
demonstrate an understanding of homeland security (as you define that term).
Your experiences described in the essay and your resume should point to a
strong commitment to prevention, preparedness and/or resilience, at the
strategic and policy levels. The essay and examples should stress the relevance
of your current position to homeland security, and the impact you are likely to
have on homeland security in your jurisdiction, state, and, if applicable, the
nation. The examples of critical topics you might research should have
implications for your jurisdiction, and for the body of homeland security
knowledge.
