Security Management Degree

Public safety and security programs deal with maintaining law and order and examine the various measures and policies that come into play. This program teaches students how to take counter measures against breaches in public safety and security and how to respond effectively in emergency situations to neutralize such threats.

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Program Structure and Coursework

A master’s in public safety and security is suitable for aspiring and existing safety professionals for focusing their knowledge in this field. Prospective students must have work experience in a related field.

Security and protective services professionals are employed as safety providers in various organizations including law enforcement and fire departments. They may also be employed privately by individuals or companies to safeguard life, property and data. Other types of security experts include those involved in computer security. A physical security professional will need to obtain some law enforcement training, while a computer security expert will also require training in data security and encryption.

Degrees and Programs Related to Security & Protective Services

This area is a subfield of the criminal justice area. Related degrees are offered in the areas of:

Homeland security
Law enforcement
Security management

Those who are interested in becoming bodyguards or security guards at various types of premises, including homes and offices, should consider acquiring a certificate or associate degree in a relevant area such as law enforcement or physical security. Certificate programs are also available for other physical security specialties such as hotel security and security officers. Associate, bachelor and master level degrees in this subject may be suitable for those who are interested in homeland security. Security services administration degrees are also available for those wish to specialize in that area through programs such as the bachelor in security management degree.

Areas of Study in a Security & Protective Services Program

A physical security and protective services related degree will instruct the student in topics such as risk and security threat assessment, security systems analysis and evaluation, loss prevention, physical security applications and security ethics and the law. Homeland security degrees such as the BS in Homeland Security and Public Safety, cover topics including national security, emergency training, counter-terrorism and local security among others. Also included are topics such as international and domestic terrorism, hazardous materials handling and constitutional law. Security management degrees teach students how to assess, plan and implement strategies for security companies. Students in such programs also learn about physical security, potential threats and how to design measures for prevention.

This program improves the decision making abilities of students in high pressure situations. It also enables students to develop strong inter-personal and management skills. Students choose from a variety of taught courses including:

Organizational leadership
Emergency preparedness
Crisis planning
Homeland security and terrorism
Strategic analysis

Careers in Security and Protective Services

Professional roles relevant to this field include first responders in the police force, fire services or medical emergency services, as well as experts in crime prevention and protection. Homeland security experts are also employed in the area of border and transportation security.

Physical security professionals and security guards typically serve at all kinds of premises including residential and commercial locations. Such guards may be also required to patrol the areas under their responsibility to ensure protection of property. Other jobs that fall into this realm include:

Loss prevention personnel at stores
Personal security for individuals as bodyguards
Security patrols
Hotels, offices and factories security personnel

Salaries for security and protective services experts tend to vary. For instance, according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, security guards earned a median annual salary of $23,970 in 2012, while gaming surveillance officers can earned a media annual salary of $29,610.

Careers in Public Safety & Security

With the threats of terrorism and cyber space attacks on the rise, the demand for experts in Public safety and security has increased. Some of the various roles in this field are:

Public safety managers
Event security coordinators
Public safety and security consultants
Teachers/ Academics

How Long Does It Take to Complete a Security Management Degree?

Schools like the Ashworth College, Bellevue University, John Jay College and Miami Dade College, are offering Security Management degrees. Individuals can enroll in a 2-year long Associate of Science (A.A.S) in Security Management & Administration, a 4-year long Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Security Management, or a 1 to 2 year long Master of Science (M.S) in Security Management. These are technical programs that are specifically designed for individuals who are seeking positions in Private Security or Homeland Security.

What Are the Requirements to Complete a Security Management Degree?

The Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Security Management requires students to complete around 120 to 127 credits and the Master of Science (M.S) in Security Management requires students to complete 36 credits. They have to study a range of modules like Policing, Criminal Procedure, Criminal Law, Infrastructure Security and National Defense, Homeland Security and Terrorism, Effective Emergency Planning, and Crime Prevention. Upon degree completion, students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of criminology and will be able to use that knowledge to solve complex security challenges.

How Much Can I Earn With a Security Management Degree?

After completing a degree in a variety of positions like private security officers and security managers. O*Net Online has reported that the yearly median pay of Security Managers was 107,480 and their hourly median pay was $51.67 in 2018. Forecasts have indicated that Security Managers will experience a 4% to 6% growth in job opportunities in the next ten years (from 2018 to 2028).

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:What are other degrees related to the Security Management degree?

A:Degrees related to the Security Management degree programs are law enforcement and homeland security which are available in Certifications, Associate's qualifications, Bachelor's and Master's Degrees.

Q:How many credits is the bachelor degree physical security worth?

A:The bachelor in physical security degree program is a 4-year program and requires a completion of 120 credits. It is important to remember that the exact credit hour requirements may vary from college to college.

Q:Are there also any Bachelor's in Protective Services Degree programs?

A:Yes, there are many Bachelors in Protective Services Degree programs available from the best universities listed on our website with various specialization options.

Q:What is the duration of the master's degree in physical security program?

A:The master's degree in physical security program is usually 2 years. However, this time can vary according the mode of learning, such as in the case of the distance learning programs. Students can also complete the degree in shorter time-span by opting for an accelerated masters degree.

Q:How to become a Physical Security expert?

A:To be able to work in various physical security roles, you may need to earn a bachelor's, associate or a master's degree in law enforcement, physical security or homeland security. To gain expertise, you may acquire further training in areas such as computer security. With experience, relevant education and advanced training, you can improve your prospects of becoming a physical security expert.

Q:What are the educational requirements for being able to work in security and protective services?

A:It is recommended that students take basic courses related to law and public security. Degree programs in homeland security and law enforcement can also help students develop a knowledge base in this field, one can choose to get enrolled in an associate, bachelor's or master's level degree program in security management, homeland security or public security. Government agencies such as the FBI or private security companies are typical agencies that work in this field.

Q:What are the admission requirements for enrolling in a bachelor’s degree in physical security?

A:Students who wish to enroll in a bachelor’s degree in physical security must fulfill certain admissions requirements, which may vary slightly from school to school. Applicants should have completed high school and are required to submit high school transcripts, having attained at least a CGPA of 2.5. Students should also have a minimum grade “C” across all science courses, a letter of recommendation, and provide details of prior work experience if any.

Q:What is the benefit of pursuing online security protective services degrees?

A:Online security protective services degrees offer you several benefits with regards to financial as well as personal growth aspects. Online security protective services degrees offer students a measure of flexibility, allowing them to schedule and attend classes from virtually any part of the world. Online degrees are also relatively cheaper and they help save up on travel time and costs. Online degrees may also allow students to maintain existing jobs and responsibilities while pursuing higher education.

Q:What kinds of courses are included in protective services degrees?

A:The core courses that are part of protective service degrees focus on loss prevention techniques, surveillance equipments, security systems and law enforcement methods. However, coursework may vary from school to school. Some universities also allow students to specialize in a chosen area.

Q:What can I expect to learn through a security system degree program?

A:There are two main types of security systems degrees that you can go for. If you go for the computer security systems degree, you will learn about the various methods used to hack into computer systems and of ways to stop these attacks and apprehend the people responsible for them. A general security systems degree will train you in the various disciplines of physical security.

Q:What kind of education do you need to be a security and protective services official?

A:To be able to work in the security and protective services industry, you require a formal degree in criminal justice. The level and type of degree you need will depend on the role or position you are aiming for. If you are interested in an entry-level position in the field, a certification or diploma may be sufficient. More advanced positions might require more advanced levels of education.

Q:What is the importance of a course on juvenile delinquency when pursuing degrees in protective services?

A:Juvenile delinquency is an integral part of the curriculum of degrees in protective services. This course deals with the main reasons behind juvenile delinquency and also enables students to learn about aid treatment, measures that can reduce and prevent juvenile delinquency. Contrary to popular belief, professionals in this field can find themselves working in both federal and private sectors.

Q:Can I get a security degree online?

A:Many schools are offering online security degrees. You will have to conduct an online search to see what options you have. You must first decide which field you wish to pursue. There are many different types of security degrees such as computer security degrees, law enforcement and security degrees, and more. To find out more, take a look at our page.

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