Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Security Management
Majors Overview March 9, 2015Get information about bachelor’s degree programs in security management and their coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Security Management
Students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in security management are trained in skills like fraud detection, small business management, and criminal investigation. Coursework is devised to impart education on computer security and risk management.
It takes students about four years to complete bachelor’s degree programs in security management. However, schools offer more time to suit the needs of some students, such as working professionals. Students enrolled in some programs are allowed to focus on numerous security-related areas, including forensic science, computer crimes, or intellectual property protection.
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma.
Coursework
Coursework covers classes in constitutional due process, crime theory, and sociology. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Physical security
•Terrorism security
•Ethics and legal issues in security management
•Risk analysis
•Computer and information systems security
Career Choices
Those who complete bachelor’s degree programs in security management can choose from numerous entry-level occupations, including private investigator, security consultant, and police officer. They may seek positions such as:
•Police detective
•Corporate security consultant
•Close protection officer
•Risk assessor
•Corrections official
Job and Wage Outlook
A job growth rate of 11% has been predicted for private detectives and investigators over the 2012 – 2022 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, these professionals brought home an average annual wage of $45,740.
Continuing Education Choices
Once they complete a security management bachelor’s degree program, students may opt for continuing education by earning a professional degree from law or business school. Armed with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, these professionals can aspire for a career as a judge, prosecutor, or defense attorney.
Those interested in executive-level positions with large corporations and private security firms should augment an undergraduate degree in security management with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree.
