Online Colleges for Security Management Degrees: How to Choose

Security managers work in supervisory roles to maintain information integrity, defend national interests or support law enforcement. A number of online graduate and undergraduate programs in security management and homeland security can prepare students for positions in federal or local government, military service or law enforcement.

How to Select an Online Program in Security Management

Award Levels

Security managers require specialized training in safety and security management. Students should choose a program level and program focus based on their career aspirations. Depending on their positions, they may need to be technically proficient in the use of CCTV systems and access control systems. Some careers require familiarity with the Joint Commission security standards and other security protocols.
Lower-level positions in security management require at least a bachelor's degree in management and prior experience in the security field. Graduates with a master's degree in security management compete for high-level security management positions in federal and local government or special protection and security services.

Educational Materials Required and Supplied

Most online programs in security management offer full online immersion enrollment, meaning that students are not required to visit the campus at any time. Instead, students download course materials, follow on-line video lectures and lessons and participate in discussions through the virtual classroom platform. This offers scheduling flexibility, but means that students must provide for their own work environment and academic supplies.
Since students in online programs generally do not have access to campus libraries, they may wish to seek out programs with substantial online collections of media and informational materials. In some programs, students will be required to purchase a desktop publishing program to write reports, essays and assignments.

List of Online Security Management Programs

Online Bachelor of Arts in Security Management

The bachelor of arts degree program in security management offers undergraduate training that usually takes 3-4 years to complete. The program requires a core of general electives that include humanities courses, as well as skills in communication and advanced mathematics.
The degree program covers central issues in security management such as principles and theory in security management, global terrorism, security administration and legal and ethical issues in security management. Students can also choose from a variety of specializations such as security services, border and coastal security and information security. In order to graduate, students must complete assignments, written reports, online tests and a final project.

Online Master of Arts Security Management

The online master's program in security management offers students the opportunity to pursue a more in-depth study of the principles and applications of international and national security. The program is designed to take a little over a year of full-time online study to complete. Students at the graduate level learn to identify, analyze, interpret and implement arising problems in security management and administration. Core courses include research methods in criminal justice, evaluation of security programs, management ethics and security administration. Students select a concentration from a number of available specializations such as computer crime, homeland defense, terrorism and special services. Students are expected to complete assignments, readings and a final research seminar project.