Build your own degree

[sanantone]

I used to be a supervisor for a private security company and this type of training is not essential. Most of the people who move up into security management have a military or law enforcement background. If you have that, no one really cares what your degree is in. It does help to have experience in the private security field, however, but employers are not focused on only or mostly hiring those with security management degrees with a heavy emphasis on private security.

Most of the people in security management probably have degrees in criminal justice and business administration. I knew a security specialist who was a former FBI agent and had a degree in an engineering discipline. I knew an owner of a security company who was a police officer, had a bachelor's in criminal justice, and a master's in public administration. My former manager has a degree in criminal justice and I have a degree in social science. I have yet to meet someone in security management with a security management degree. I'm not saying that it would hold you back or won't help you at all; it's just not a very common degree seen among private security professionals. It's not very well-known yet. Most of the job ads I've seen for management positions in security ask for a degree in criminal justice, police science, or law enforcement.

I don't think this degree has a heavy emphasis on law enforcement. It focuses on securing all kinds of places such as schools, ports, personnel, and the homeland.

AMU Degree Program: Bachelor of Arts in Security Management

There is only so much you can study about private security. It's a pretty simple job and the management aspect is mostly business. If you want to be a consultant, you're going to have to learn all aspects of security. I will warn you that security management is mostly a job where the semi-retired go. It's hard to move up without military or law enforcement experience unless you have the patience to work 10+ years as a low-paid security guard. I strongly recommend getting a degree in criminal justice because it has a lot more flexibility just in case you don't get that dream job in private security. Although, I don't generally recommend a CJ degree; but, I think it's a better option than security management. If you're going to finish the Homeland Security degree, do not get a degree in Security Management! That would be a total waste. I've gotten interviews for jobs requiring a CJ or law enforcement major with my social science degree because I would mention on my resume that I had about 30 CJ credits. You'd be much better off getting an MBA, MPA, or even a master's in criminal justice after the BS in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Some people recommend these certifications. They aren't asked for much, but it might catch on in the future. Someone is always coming up with some stupid, expensive, and useless certification convincing everyone that it's necessary so that they can make money.

http://www.asisonline.org/certification/index.xml

Then, there are these pointless certifications that might get you $12 an hour instead of $10.

http://www.ifpo.org/products/index.html