Training the Next Generation of Space Weather Professionals through Coordinated Educational Efforts between Government and Academia

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy document “Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation” (SWORM) identified current vulnerabilities and stressed the need for preparedness against possible hazards from space weather. The plan mobilizes government agencies to coordinate efforts and engage the scientific community to advance the state of the art in space weather to mitigate hazards due to extreme space weather events. The long-term, multidisciplinary approach necessary to mitigate the risks of space weather has been impeded by the lack of critical mass in existing academic departments at colleges and universities. This has created challenges in overcoming the scientific and technical complexities of space weather, as well as in the practical problem of sustaining support for space weather related infrastructure and human resources. Recently, The Catholic University of America (CUA) has created a Master’s Degree Program, linked to a new undergraduate Minor in Space Weather. The program is open to all domestic and qualified international students graduating with science, mathematics, or engineering degrees, and to other eligible professionals. The program is built to leverage the expertise and resources available from the long-term partnership between CUA and the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). In this presentation, we will describe the goals and content of the new degree program, and identify the challenges encountered in developing the curriculum and recruiting students.