Security Careers: Advanced Degrees for Security Education

Many schools now offer degrees at the Masters and Doctorate levels for security professionals. By doing a small amount of research, the following degree programs quickly surfaced:

• Masters in Intelligence Management

• Masters in Terrorism and Counterterrorism Studies

• Masters Degree in Security Informatics

• Master of Science Degree in Homeland Security

• Masters in Science in Safety, Security & Emergency Management

• Masters degree in information assurance and security

• Masters Degree in Security Management

• Masters degrees in Computer and Information Systems Security

• Master of Science in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security Administration degree

• Masters degree in security and risk management

• Master of Science degree in Integrated Homeland Security Management

• Integrated Homeland Security Management (M.S.)

These programs are popping up in on-line distance learning formats, for-profit colleges and universities and in traditional brick and mortar well-known colleges and universities.

From the degree headings shown above one can see that some degrees focus on physical security while others focus on information security or cyber security. Some degrees focus on Homeland Security. Other degrees focus on security and risk management. Which program is the right program to pursue?

After reviewing the course offerings on-line for a dozen different security Masters Degree programs, we found a variety of creative ways in which colleges and universities describe the content of their programs. We found lists of courses. We found projections that Homeland Security would be hiring more government employees in years to come than the market could produce. We found explanations of how education would be delivered.

In no case did we find the business case behind why a security professional should consider an advanced security degree. In no case did any of the educational institutions report on the demand a security professional would see for their skills after completing a Masters or Doctorate in security management. In no case did the educational institution explain how completing their degree program would help a security professional to better understand how to align their security and risk management solutions with the business needs of a corporate employer.

If you are considering a Masters or Doctorate degree in security, first think about why you’re considering the degree.

• What is your motive for earning an advanced security degree?
• Is the attainment of the degree and the knowledge that goes with it a personal educational achievement goal? If so, this is a great reason to pursue an advanced degree.
• Is your employer encouraging an advanced security related degree? Or are they more supportive of certifications and classes that they perceive might more directly add value to the organization?
• Is the attainment of an advanced security degree part of your overall plan to increase earnings potential? How do you know that an advanced security degree will lead to increased earnings?

As of the writing of this article, we’ve never been asked to deliver a security job candidate who has a Masters or Doctorate degree in any form of security management.

That does not mean that employers won’t ask for this level of education in the future. It does mean however, that if a security professional is considering the pursuit of an advanced degree in security management, they should do so for reasons other than the immediate expectation of a higher paycheck or higher positioning in the corporate sector.

While employers may appreciate your advanced security degree, these degrees are new enough to industry that as security executive recruiters, we’re not yet seeing demand from employers for candidates who have security education at the Masters or Doctorate levels.

Security Recruiter Blog