Studying Safety and Security Management: Degrees at a Glance
Safety and security management is a broad field concerned with the protection of people as well as physical and intellectual property. Note that Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs specifically in safety and security management are hard to come by, and those that do exist may go by varying degree titles, such as organizational security management or homeland security. These degree programs, coupled with experience, can prepare you for an upper-level career in security management, such as with the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration or in the corporate sector.
The job outlook for security management careers varies by industry. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that emergency management specialist employment was projected to have little or no change from 2006-2016.
| MBA | PhD | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals interested in management positions in security management | People who want to work in advanced security management roles or as teachers at colleges or universities |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate median annual salary) | -Emergency management specialist ($52,000)* - Personnel security specialist ($56,000)* Security director ($68,000)* - Intelligence analyst ($70,000)* - Management and program analyst ($71,000)* | - Career paths for the PhD are similar to those of the MBA, though PhD-holders may have better advancement opportunities - Political science teacher ($71,000)** |
| Time to Completion | Two years full-time after the bachelor's | 3-5 years after the master's |
| Common Graduation Requirements | About 12 graduate-level courses | - About 60 credits of coursework beyond the master's - Comprehensive or qualifying exam - Dissertation proposal and defense |
| Prerequisites | Bachelor's degree | - Master's degree commonly required - Professional experience |
| Online Availability | Yes | Rare but available |
Source: *Payscale.com (January 2013 figures), **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures).
MBA in Safety and Security Management
Master of Business Administration degree programs related to safety and security management prepare individuals for careers in public safety or private security. Such MBA degrees are often available as simply security management concentrations, though they may also be found in the form of homeland security or business/organizational security management emphases. These programs are designed to provide you with the business and leadership skills needed to ensure the protection of people and property in various settings.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- MBA programs accept students from various educational backgrounds
- Some programs offer hands-on training through practical components
- Provides general business education, which can apply to a wide range of careers
- Program does not typically require completion of a thesis
Cons
- Security management positions can require extensive experience in the field
- Job outlook can vary greatly and be poor, depending on the field of employment
- Stress caused by high levels of responsibility
Courses and Requirements
As an MBA student, you can expect to take concentration courses in topics like risk management, emergency planning, protection of business assets, information systems security and legal aspects of homeland security. Additionally, you may take some more general business courses, such as financial management and managerial accounting. Along with providing in-class instruction, you may find programs that require you to complete a practicum in security management. Overall, these degree programs generally do not require completion of a thesis project.
Online Degree Options
MBA programs with concentrations related to security management are available online. Some schools also allow you to take online courses alongside your in-class coursework. Online and hybrid programs tend to have the same admission and graduation requirements as traditional degree programs; you'll learn about business and management concepts pertaining to security.
Stand Out with This Degree
If you're considering a management career in the safety and security field, you may benefit from taking coursework during your MBA studies geared toward technology in the field. On a daily basis, you might use spreadsheets, query software and databases. Project management software, like the OpsCenter and Strohl Systems Incident Manager, are also commonly used, as well as map creation software.
PhD in Safety and Security Management
PhD programs in safety and security management, often offered through schools' political science departments, prepare students for teaching and research careers, as well as management positions in the field. Concentrations in this discipline may go by homeland security, security studies or another similar title. You generally need a master's degree for entrance into one of these programs; however, some schools may allow you to enter with only a bachelor's degree.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Can qualify you for teaching positions at the university level
- Flexible curricula allow you to choose electives specific to your interests
- Some PhD programs admit bachelor's degree holders
Cons
- Admission may require a master's degree specifically related to political science
- Applicants often need relevant professional experience
- Curricula generally do not include teaching components
Courses and Requirements
In a PhD program related to safety and security management, your curriculum will focus on research and practical aspects of human and property security. You can expect to take courses and seminars in topics like quantitative research methods, emergency planning, public policy, domestic and international security, terrorism and environmental security. You'll also write and defend a dissertation based on research conducted throughout your doctoral studies. Unlike many PhD programs, this major generally does not require you to complete a teaching assistantship.
Online Degree Options
While uncommon, online PhD programs in homeland security and other concentrations related to safety and security management are available. These programs have curricula similar to that of traditional, on-campus programs; program duration is generally the same and coursework has a strong emphasis on research in the discipline. You will also have to complete and defend a dissertation.
Stand Out with This Degree
While this degree program may qualify you for teaching positions with universities and colleges, it generally does not provide practical training in teaching. As such, you may benefit from pursuing a teaching assistantship with the help of an advisor or gaining teaching experience independently. Additionally, you may want to take coursework that prepares you for the usage of technology in the classroom. For example, you might use class-management systems like Blackboard to teach students, as well as discussion boards, blogs and research tools like Zotero.
