Security Management Degree Guide

As organizations across the country look to bolster their security measures and protect their interests, they need reliable managers to oversee operations. These professionals need to know how to enact effective security measures, train security personnel, and investigate theft and other crimes.

With a degree in security management, you'll learn how to manage these responsibilities and more. Depending on your program, you may have the opportunity to specialize and focus in areas like private security, cybersecurity, or even national security.

This guide explores different types of degrees in security management, how to choose the right program, and available career pathways.

Popular Online Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

What Is Security Management?

Security management protects the assets and people involved with businesses, governments, and other organizations. Security managers oversee security teams and the practices and policies involved in safeguarding people and property.

Many security managers provide private security for organizations, such as protecting a business' staff, customers, and goods. Some managers specialize in cybersecurity to focus on the protection of information and information systems. Others work in homeland security or emergency management and focus on the protection of city, state, or national interests.

Regardless of where they work and who or what they protect, security management professionals often perform similar tasks, including risk assessment and analysis, threat detection, and developing emergency procedures. They often work closely with law enforcement and other managers to ensure people's preparedness and safety.

Types of Security Management Degrees

You can find security management degrees at every level, each with unique strengths and career prospects. Depending on the school and specialization, these programs may fall under security management, homeland security, global security, emergency and security, or risk and security.

Associate Degree in Security Management

• Common Degree Types: AS, AAS, AS
• Required Credits: 60

At the associate level, security management programs typically lead to AS or AAS degrees. Both of these programs feature around 60 credits and take two years or less to complete. Associate degrees in security management cover the fundamentals of security, criminal justice, and business.

While they lay a solid foundation for security management, associate degrees in security management lead more to entry-level security positions than management. However, they provide a strong starting position to build more advanced and specialized education afterward.

Bachelor's Degree in Security Management

• Common Degree Types: BA, BS
• Required Credits: 120

Most schools award BA or BS degrees in security management, with programs taking about four years to complete. Like associate degrees, bachelor's programs cover security, criminal justice, and business fundamentals. In the latter half of the curriculum, however, you delve into more advanced material, such as risk analysis, loss prevention, and recovery strategies.

Compared to associate degrees, you'll find more specialization opportunities in bachelor's programs, such as cybersecurity or global security. If the program doesn't offer specializations, you can create your own informal focus through electives and internships. A bachelor's degree can help you pursue most security positions, but you'll typically need experience to jump into a management role.

Master's Degree in Security Management

• Common Degree Types: MA, MS
• Required Credits: 30-60

At the master's level, you will mostly see MA and MS degrees in security management — programs that take about two years to complete. Master's programs build on bachelor's-level studies and explore topics like advanced security protection systems, complex security research and theory, and thorough risk analysis methods.

You'll complete more involved internships and project-based assignments in master's programs, and specializations will be more available than at the undergraduate level. While professional experience will still be in demand, you can pursue more advanced roles with a master's degree in security management.

Doctoral Degree in Security Management

• Common Degree Types: Ph.D., DPS
• Required Credits: 60-120

While the most common doctoral degree in security management is a Ph.D., you may encounter other degree types in related disciplines, such as a doctor of professional studies (DPS). The credits and time required for these degrees can vary, often ranging between 60-120 credits and 3-7 years.

While a DPS focuses on building practical skills, a Ph.D. in security management takes a research-focused approach to the discipline, such as analyzing theory and investigating policy development. Though graduates with Ph.D. degrees can pursue management roles, most aim for careers in academia or research and development.

Security Management Coursework

Undergraduate coursework typically begins with introductory classes covering security management fundamentals. In a master's program, you take more advanced courses that give you career-specific and specialized skills and expertise. Here's a brief rundown of some of the most common courses you may encounter in these programs.

Undergraduate Courses

• Protective Security Law: In this course, you learn the laws for security professionals and how they differ from law enforcement. Coursework covers practices used to protect people and property ethically and legally.
• Information Security: This course examines cybersecurity, including the methods used in protecting information systems, identifying vulnerabilities, and responding to attacks.
• Risk Assessment: In this course, you'll learn to assess and analyze an organization's risk, develop solutions, and implement countermeasures.
• Loss Prevention Management: This course covers ways to identify loss threats and approach shoplifting and other potential loss situations.

Graduate Courses

• Risk Analysis: This course explores security risks in more depth, covering fire codes, specific crimes, and organizational vulnerabilities.
• Security Management Systems: In this course, you examine the use and management of popular security systems and surveillance methods.
• Emergency Planning: This course looks at the planning and implementation of emergency plans, including evacuations and other responses to fires and acts of terrorism.
• Organizational Security: In this course, you learn how security managers work with organization managers to protect assets and people while maintaining operations.

Finding an Accredited School for Security Management

Schools need institutional accreditation for several reasons. It provides quality assurance to students and employers, along with informing other schools that the education received from this institution meets a high standard. Perhaps most importantly, institutional accreditation qualifies schools to offer federal financial aid to students.

Programmatic accreditation works similarly but applies to departments and programs within schools. This type of accreditation can bolster your resume and affect your ability to seek postgraduate credentials. Programmatic and institutional accreditation must come from accrediting organizations approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

You can find a list of accredited schools and programs in theDatabase of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. However, you won't find any security management programs listed, as no accreditors recognized by CHEA or ED currently work with security management programs.

The Cost of a Security Management Degree

Tuition by Security Management Degree Type

Degree Type	Average Tuition and Fees (2019-2020)*
Associate	$3,109
Bachelor's	$12,626
Master's	$8,331
Doctorate	Not reported

The cost of a security management degree depends on many factors, including school type, program format, and your location. For example, the average annual tuition for bachelor's programs in the 2021-22 academic year was $9,596 for in-state students in four-year public schools, $27,457 for out-of-state students in four-year public schools, and $34,041 in four-year private schools, as per the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Compared to these national averages, however, the average costs for security management and related degrees appear quite competitive. According to the NCES DataLab, the average annual tuition for security and related degrees in the 2019-20 academic year was $3,109 for associate degrees, $12,626 for bachelor's degrees, and $8,331 for master's degrees.

You may encounter different education costs in online programs, as some schools offer discounts to distance learners. For example, institutions may offer in-state tuition rates to out-of-state students. You can also save on transportation costs and campus-related fees as an online student while more easily continuing to receive employment income.

Financial Aid for Security Management Students

Even with the lower-than-average tuition prices of security management degrees, the cost of postsecondary education is a barrier for many students. Thankfully, they can access various types of financial aid, including federal loans and grants, scholarships, and student assistantships.

Scholarships alone offer many options, as they can come from federal or state governments, schools, and third-party organizations. For example, the Security Industry Association offers several scholarships for security students across the country. Other opportunities may be based on region, such as the Vance Scholarship for private security students in northern Virginia.

Whatever your situation, start the financial aid process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many organizations will use FAFSA to determine your eligibility for various types of funding.

Career Paths for Security Management Degree-Holders

A degree in security management can take you in different directions depending on your study path and interests, such as private security, national security, or cybersecurity. The following section covers some of the career options available.

Certifications for Security Managers

Several certifications can contribute to your security management career. In the private security world, the Private Security Professionals of America offers two certifications that may improve your employment qualifications and opportunities: the certified security supervisor and the certified security manager.

If you plan to pursue a cybersecurity career, your options become even more plentiful. For example, you can pursue credentials like the certified information security manager or the certified protection professional. The certified information systems security professional and security+ credentials can also improve your competitiveness in the job market.

Frequently Asked Questions About Degrees in Security Management

• Collapse All
• Expand All

Is a degree in security management worth it?

The value of a degree in security management depends on your career goals. While some security management employers may hire professionals based on professional experience, many prefer candidates with bachelor's degrees or higher. Professional certifications can also help in your career pursuit.

Is security management in demand?

The demand for security managers varies by industry. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects little-to-no growth in private security from 2022-2032, projections for emergency management positions are about equal with the national average. The outlook for information security analysts, conversely, ranks among the best in the country, with the BLS projecting 32% growth from 2022-2032.

What degree is best for a security manager?

A bachelor's degree in security management may be the most common degree for security managers, but a master's degree likely provides the best opportunities right after graduation. Master's-level programs often cover topics in leadership, policy and practice development, and criminal justice, which help prepare you for many of the responsibilities in this position.

How do I become a cybersecurity manager?

There are several paths to a cybersecurity manager career. You might pursue a security management or computer science degree and specialize in cybersecurity. Most managers don't start in management, however, so you will likely have to build experience through internships, practicums, and entry-level cybersecurity roles.