Best Bachelor's Degrees in Security Management

1. New Jersey City University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12414	95%	41%	94%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

2. Saint Cloud State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8656	90%	48%	94%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

3. SUNY at Albany

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10176	54%	63%	85%	No	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

4. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$18450	76%	71%	73%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

5. The University of Texas at San Antonio

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8262	77%	42%	83%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

6. Lindenwood University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$18100	88%	50%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

7. University of Nebraska at Omaha

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7980	83%	50%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

8. University of Arizona

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12379	85%	65%	91%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

9. Central Washington University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8273	85%	58%	90%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

10. Angelo State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7637	77%	40%	94%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

11. Mercy College

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$19594	82%	44%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

12. Eastern Kentucky University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9876	94%	45%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

13. Kennesaw State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$6456	75%	46%	92%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

14. Arkansas Tech University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7668	95%	38%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

15. University of Illinois at Springfield

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11928	77%	54%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

16. New England Institute of Technology

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$30841	63%	51%	94%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

17. University of Central Missouri

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8043	65%	51%	94%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

18. CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7470	41%	52%	85%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

19. University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$18879	84%	76%	90%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

20. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11476	85%	52%	89%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

21. Davenport University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$19338	82%	49%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

22. Southeast Missouri State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7800	86%	50%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

23. Marshall University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8412	87%	49%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

24. Old Dominion University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10680	89%	53%	94%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

25. Regent University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$18620	86%	57%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

26. Brigham Young University-Provo

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$5790	67%	78%	71%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

27. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10507	71%	68%	92%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

28. Frostburg State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9410	80%	49%	92%	No	Yes	AP Credits

29. Ferris State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12376	87%	47%	95%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

30. University of North Georgia

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$5229	81%	38%	88%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

31. Western Washington University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8343	90%	68%	86%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

32. Oakland University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14520	83%	57%	94%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

33. San Diego State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7510	34%	73%	60%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

34. Eastern Michigan University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$13758	74%	46%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

35. Illinois State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12836	82%	70%	89%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

36. Northeastern State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$6915	100%	33%	93%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

37. University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10728	87%	45%	81%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

38. Northern Michigan University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11525	66%	48%	93%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

39. University of North Dakota

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9736	81%	61%	92%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

40. Virginia Commonwealth University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$14596	87%	67%	81%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

41. Metropolitan State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8114	56%	34%	86%	No	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

42. The University of Tampa

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$29992	45%	58%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

43. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8852	67%	60%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

44. Radford University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11350	75%	55%	88%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits

45. Michigan Technological University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$17134	74%	70%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

46. University of Central Arkansas

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9188	90%	43%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

47. University of Southern Maine

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9226	81%	40%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

48. The University of Texas at El Paso

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8961	100%	37%	86%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

49. University of Missouri-St Louis

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11079	73%	52%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

The curriculum of a bachelor's degree in security management normally covers a variety of topics within the field and looks at security from a number of perspectives. This may include emergency preparedness, online security risks, criminal justice, leadership, and more. An internship may serve as a capstone project. Possible course titles may include:

• Introduction to security
• Methods of security
• Private security and the law
• Principles of information security
• Risk management
• Safety engineering
• Emergency planning
• Loss and crime prevention

It usually takes around four years to earn a bachelor's degree in security management. As with most degrees at this level, schools usually require graduates to complete approximately 120 credit hours to graduate. Taking classes over the summer, utilizing asynchronous online courses and taking advantage of shorter, accelerated classes (if your school offers them), can help you complete this degree more quickly.

There are two types of accreditation to consider: programmatic and institutional, both of which are important. Programmatic accreditation applies to a particular program within a university and is an indication that the curriculum, faculty and program are of good quality. There are no organizations dedicated to accrediting security management programs, but this major may fall under a business or criminal justice college within the larger university. That means it may be beneficial to see if groups like the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) or Association to Accredit Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) have reviewed a business school or whether the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) has accredited the program if it falls under a criminal justice school.

Institutional accreditation applies to the entire university and is also incredibly important. In addition to providing evidence of the quality of the school, this qualifies students to apply for federal financial aid and improves the chances of credits transferring to another institution. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes several major regional accrediting bodies, including the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

Licensure requirements for those working in security management will vary depending on the state and perhaps even more local laws. In Illinois and Rhode Island, for example, those who work in private security must obtain a license from the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation or Attorney General's office, respectively. Other states may only require certain security professionals to obtain a license. The requirements of these licenses differ, but common ones include an application fee and an examination.

In terms of certification, professional organizations like those discussed below offer ways for those working in security management to distinguish themselves and prove their skills. Some of these, like the Certified Security Project Management (CPSM) certification from the Security Industry Association, may be more specifically geared toward those working in certain jobs within the field. Others, such as the Certified Protection Professional certification from ASIS International, cover a wider-range of individuals. Research the options to determine what certification or certifications may best suit your career.

Those who graduated with a bachelor's degree in security management may qualify for jobs in a number of industries. This can include the obvious careers in private security, which may be what many who pursue this degree desire. It can also involve jobs in professional law enforcement and emergency preparedness. Within these sectors, there is even more diversity, as security management graduates can work for federal or local governments, the military, nonprofits, and more. That means security management professionals can work for agencies as diverse as a local fire department or the Department of Homeland Security. It all depends on what the individual wants to do. Possible job titles include:

• Security manager
• Emergency management director
• Chief security guard
• Air marshal
• Homeland security agent
• Security guard
• Information systems security manager
• Gambling surveillance officer

How to Become a Security Guard

At a minimum, security guards usually need at least a high school diploma and some form of on-the-job training. That training varies depending on the employer, but it may cover topics like communication, crime prevention, and emergency procedures. Getting a bachelor's degree in the field might qualify candidates for supervisory positions.

In this role, individuals protect property, deter criminal activity from occurring, and enforce the rules of the property. This may involve patrolling an area, monitoring alarms or other surveillance systems, admitting people to the facility, and writing reports of any noteworthy activity. Security guards may also work undercover in stores to detect and detain suspected shoplifters until law enforcement arrives.

Security guards may also need to be licensed with the state in which they work, as discussed above, especially if they carry a gun. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2019 that the median annual wage of a security guard was $34,190. Jobs in the field are expected to increase about 3 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is around the average speed for all occupations.

How to Become an Emergency Management Director

Security management graduates who want to pursue a slightly different career path may go down the route of emergency preparedness. An emergency management director is one of the top jobs in that field, as this person prepares to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, often in coordination with other people like elected officials or government agencies. More specifically, this role may involve analyzing potential hazards, planning an effective response to various types of emergencies, coordinating training for those who need it, assessing the damage after an emergency, and applying for federal funding.

Since it is usually a senior role, an emergency management director typically needs a bachelor's degree and several years of work experience in at least a related field. It is possible to get this job with only a high school education, but more experience is normally required in these cases. The BLS reported in 2019 that the median annual wage for those in this profession was $74,590. It also estimated that the number of jobs in the field would grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029.

Those who work in security management can join several professional organizations designed to help them in their careers. These groups may provide opportunities for networking and professional development, along with publications about the industry. Three of the largest examples are:

• Security Industry Association - The SIA is the leading trade association in the security sector. It has over 1,100 companies as members. It hosts events, provides professional developments, advocates on behalf of the industry, and offers standards for security practices.
• ASIS Internnational - This global organization has several certifications and professional development opportunities. In addition, it has various publications and similar resources that may interest security management professionals and can be purchased from the group's website.

As noted in the section focused on how to become an emergency management director, career advancement within the security management field is possible. Typically, this involves someone working their way up from an entry-level position like a security guard to increasingly higher echelons of management. Work experience is highly valued in this profession, with people often putting in many years of work before earning promotions.

Further education may help speed this process. Certifications like those mentioned above or others offered by professional organizations can demonstrate your expertise in the field or increase your knowledge in other areas of security management. Likewise, depending on your degree program, there may be other areas that advanced degrees or certificates may cover that could help you climb the corporate ladder. For instance, if your bachelor's degree did not put much emphasis on managing individuals, a master's degree that takes that into consideration more may open new doors for you.

There are also degrees and certificates at the undergraduate level focused on security management or a related field. It is much more likely you will find a program in that latter area than in security management because, like at the bachelor's level, there are very few degrees centered entirely on security management available. In addition to subjects like emergency management and homeland security, degrees or certificates with titles like business continuity or crisis management may be beneficial and applicable to those in the security management profession.

Associate Degrees in Security Management

An associate degree in security management or a related topic may be an Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Arts (AS), or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. These programs prepare students for entry-level management positions within the industry by taking a holistic approach to relevant subjects within security. It normally takes a year or two to earn this degree, depending on the program, with students commonly completing around 60 credit hours worth of coursework.

Master's Degrees in Security Management

At the master's level, it is most common for degrees in security management and related fields to be a Master of Science (MS) or Master of Professional Studies (MPS). Degrees may be specifically in a topic like security management, or it may be a specialization within a larger postgraduate program. These programs normally blend theoretical and practical knowledge to prepare graduates for higher positions in the security sector. It may take a year or more to earn this degree, with courses requiring upwards of 30 credit hours in most cases.

Doctoral Degrees in Security Management

A doctoral degree in this field may take the form of a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). At this level, more than any other, it may be necessary for students to find degrees with related titles like security studies, strategic security, and civil security. These programs may prepare students to work in public policy, the highest possible management positions in the security industry, or as professors. It usually takes at least two or three years to earn this degree, with students completing a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework and writing a dissertation.

Certificates in Security Management

Certificates in security management and similar topics are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. There are also online courses and certificates in this subject. Certificates can be obtained in an effort to learn new skills, get a job in this field, or as a first step to earning a degree in this discipline. These may take anywhere from a few months to two years to earn, with students completing anywhere from three to eight classes. Given this compressed timeline, it is common for these courses to focus mainly on practical, hands-on skills.

The first step in applying for financial aid is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form shows college students what federal loans, grants, or work-study options for which they may qualify. Completing the FAFSA may require numerous types of documents including the applicant's social security number, driver's license number, and federal tax information.

Another key source of financial aid is scholarships. Common sources include the school itself, non-profit organizations or the federal government. These may be privately funded scholarships, or the school may have a database or list of scholarships available to students at its university pursuing a degree in security management. The requirements and monetary awards vary for these, so be sure to research them carefully to determine what you may be eligible for. The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a free scholarship tool called CareerOneStop.