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MACOMB, ILL. -- In lieu of 9-11, there has been a great interest in Homeland Security at Western Illinois University.

So much, in fact, that educators decided to create a Homeland Security minor.

It's a part of the School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration.

Students will take classes in principles of terrorism, homeland security entities, and legal aspects of homeland securities and terrorism.

WIU Associate Professor Dean Alexander says these classes are important especially post 9-11.

"Post 9-11, you've seen various examples of where law enforcement has been very active in terms of combating these groups through use of informants, and styming many plots before they've come to fruition," says Alexander.

The School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration at Western Illinois University is the largest criminal justice program in the state and one of the largest in the United States.