Security Management Certificate Program Information

Learn about certificate programs in both criminal justice security management and information technology security management. Get information about levels of study, coursework and career opportunities in order to make an informed decision about your education.

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Undergraduate Certificate Programs in Criminal Justice Security Management

Individuals who enroll in undergraduate certificate programs in criminal justice security management are typically already employed in a position related to security or criminal justice and are looking to advance their careers. Through such a program, these professionals learn to enhance or upgrade current security systems, offer protection to employees and maintain a secure environment. A student may not need a prior degree or any previous coursework to be admitted to such a program (other than a high school diploma), but these programs may require previous work experience. Programs may be completed in as little as one year.

Course Topics

Coursework in this program is designed to help students increase their understanding of current approaches to security management. Generally, the curriculum in this program focuses on terrorism, protecting the United States of America and leadership within the security management field. Course topics that may be covered in this program include:

Security administration
Criminal law
Homeland security
Physical security
Crime prevention

Popular Career Options

An undergraduate certificate program may not be designed to help students begin new careers, but may instead be designed to advance current law enforcement or security positions. Some professionals that could benefit from such a certificate program could include:

Security guards
Police officers
Public safety officers

Graduate Certificate Programs in Criminal Justice Security Management

A graduate certificate program in criminal justice security management often results in a student acquiring management and technical skills, which could give students the opportunity to manage security units and lead other security employees. A student may complete the program in as little as one year. In order to enroll into a graduate certificate program in criminal justice security management, a student should have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Course Topics

Students in these programs learn to create, implement and maintain security systems. Coursework may also cover policies and procedures for terrorism threats and for working in homeland security. Common course topics include:

Homeland security technology
Disaster planning, recovery and response
Security policies
Security intelligence
Infrastructure protection

Employment Outlook and Salary Info

With a graduate certificate and adequate work experience in the security field, individuals may be qualified to become security managers or supervisors of other protective service workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for first-line supervisors of protective services works was $46,420 as of 2011 (www.bls.gov). The BLS also reported that the median salary for the category of other management positions, which may include security managers, was $99,540 at that same time. The employment growth for this occupation was expected to rise more slowly than the national average from 2010-2020.

Undergraduate Certificate Programs in Information Technology Security Management

IT security management programs prepare individuals to enter the IT field and can help current IT professionals advance their careers. Through such a program, students should be prepared to develop answers to information security issues. Students may also be exposed to a variety of security risks associated with computing.

Education Prerequisites

A high school diploma is typically required for admission to these programs. Some certificate programs may require students to complete prerequisite courses in computer science or mathematics.

Course Topics

Coursework for this program typically focuses on computer security and cryptography. In addition, students may take introductory courses in criminal justice and information security. Course topics for this program may also include:

Network security
Information security and assurance management
Client security systems
Database security
Incident emergency response planning

Popular Career Options

An undergraduate certificate in this field is not typically designed to lead to one specific career option, but is instead meant to enhance the skills of a professional already working in the field. These professionals may oversee the security systems for digital information and electronic network systems. Programs could also be taken in combination with larger undergraduate experiences, such as bachelor's degree programs in computer science, in order to give students a more specialized understanding of IT security. Individuals who may benefit from an undergraduate certificate in this field could include:

Information security officer
Computer security specialist
IT security analyst

Graduate Certificate Programs in Information Technology Security Management

Students enrolled in a graduate certificate program in IT security management gain a variety of knowledge about computer security, including the best practices, methods and security measures within the IT security management field. As a result of this program, students may also acquire the skills needed to secure computing networks. A graduate certificate program in IT security management can be completed in as little as one year.

Education Prerequisites

Students who have completed a bachelor's degree should be able to apply to the program. In addition, those students who already have completed a master's degree program can pursue a graduate certificate program in IT security management.

Course Topics

Coursework is designed to help students achieve a greater understanding of security management. In addition, students may be exposed to new technologies within the IT security management field. Course topics for this graduate certificate program may include:

Development and assessment of security policies
Information security administration
Legal issues in information systems
Theory and practice of data communications
Creation of security audits
Threat assessment
Understanding open access technology
Secure transfer and storage of information

Employment Outlook and Salary Information

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage in 2011 for computer and information systems managers, who often work with network and systems security, was $118,019. The BLS also stated that these individuals could see a job growth rate of 18% from 2010-2020, this is average in comparison to other occupations in the country.

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