Put your skills and passion to work with an education in security and protective systems. Training in this specialized field can lead to a rewarding and growing career as a corporate security guard, protective services officer, private security officer, or private investigator.
Learn about Security and Protective Services Degrees and Programs
Specialized security and protective services coursework offers a targeted level of training in the evolving field. Some students choose to tie their security training to education in business or technology, offering a higher level of specialization to prospective employers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that most corporate investigators must have a bachelor's degree, often in a business field, though training in criminal justice and police science are also useful to the career. In all security and protective services careers, knowledge of local laws is important.
The BLS reports that security guards earned mean annual wages of $25,840 in 2008, while gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators earned $31,550. That same year, private detectives and investigators earned $46,480. With education and experience, entry-level security officers may advance to supervisory and management positions. Security workers may start their own businesses, specializing in identity theft or private investigation.
Job opportunities are expected to be favorable for security jobs, though education and experience will likely play a large role in the highest-paying and most competitive positions. Employment of security guards is expected to grow 14 percent between 2008 and 2018, while employment of gaming surveillance officers is expected to grow 12 percent.