Does it matter what degree I get before pursuing a Masters in Security Studies?

[publius2k4]

Okay, all of you know that I am currently attending Charter Oak State College in New Britain, CT and expect to graduate on August 31, 2014 and apply to ECU this fall. http://www.ecu.edu/polsci/sec/MSSS-Brochure.pdf.

I am at a fork in the road with completing my concentration plan of study and wanted to seek some advice.

Okay some of this stuff you already know.

I was a linguist/interrogator in the military (MOS 97E, now MOS 35M). The technical name was Human Intelligence Collector. I studied Persian Farsi at DLIFLC. I have always had an interest in security studies and I have, at times, thought about what I could do with my knowledge of law combined with my language. I am currently poised to receive a BS: Paralegal Studies but was thinking about making a change to a BS in Individualized Studies to incorporate more political science courses, my foreign language, and some paralegal studies courses such as constitutional law, legal analysis, etc. into my degree plan (at the suggestion of my adviser). I have been a paralegal for more than 10 years which is why a BS in Paralegal Studies has been my intended path until recently.

Do you have an opinion with regard to whether a BS in Paralegal Studies or a BS in Individualized studies would be an appropriate pre-cursor to applying to ECU for a Masters in Security Studies? In the most general of terms would either degree suffice?

Thank you.

I read this on the brochure: "No more than 7 credits of transfer work may count toward the degree; all core courses must be completed."
Are they talking about your undergraduate degree or in the Master's program?

[sanantone]

I read this on the brochure: "No more than 7 credits of transfer work may count toward the degree; all core courses must be completed."
Are they talking about your undergraduate degree or in the Master's program?

The master's program has a list of core courses in the catalog. They're on the second page on the left. These courses have to be completed. Outside of the core, one can choose an area of emphasis.

[soliloquy]

This is what ECU said:

I would think that the Individualized Study degree would do more to prepare you for what you would encounter in our Security Studies courses. We place a lot of emphasis on our students’ analytical and writing abilities. While I do see what appears to be some classes on your transcript that may provide analytical background, more would be better. Furthermore, Security Studies has grown out of Political Science / International Relations. Any classes that you could include in your Individualized Study curriculum that exposed you to those theories, issues, and arguments would be of benefit to you.

Unless you intend to begin a career as a paralegal, it is likely the Individualized Study program would be better for you. If you would like help in selecting courses for your curriculum, please let me know. I would be happy to be of assistance.

[sanantone]

That's nice of them to offer help with selecting your undergraduate courses, but security studies isn't rocket science. I think they are thinking too highly of their field. Law requires much more in the way of analytical abilities, and law schools couldn't care less what you studied as an undergrad. Anyway, they didn't say they wouldn't admit you with a paralegal studies degree. They also didn't mention any prerequisites or bridge courses. If those things were important, they would have been mentioned in the admissions requirements. They don't even mention a preference.