The Faculty Senate on Wednesday passed a new master of science degree in security and resilience studies, the first program of its kind in the United States.

“It is squarely within the research foci of this university, and by incorporating the concept of resilience into the degree, it is a program that is unique in the academic field of security,” said Uta Poiger, interim dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities.

The interdisciplinary degree’s focus on resilience means that it will incorporate research into how infrastructure can withstand and recover from natural disasters and terrorist attacks. At next week’s meeting, the Faculty Senate is scheduled to discuss a companion program—a master of arts in homeland security—that would provide online education for state and local officials nationwide and those seeking jobs in the field.

In a separate vote, the Faculty Senate passed an amended version of revisions to the Graduate Council’s bylaws, which have been in the works since 2010 and replace antiquated rules adopted in 2002.

The Senate also approved a new faculty handbook module on academic freedom, which is part of an ongoing review process that will re-examine individual sections of the document.