Master of Arts in Security Management

This course focuses on research design for criminological studies or security principles depending on the major selected. There is an emphasis on data collection methods and measurements of validity and reliability. The successful student will be able to gather and develop criminal justice/security research material into analytic data that can be easily interpreted. Students will learn the appropriate methods of assessing quantitative and qualitative data. Additionally students will learn the proper citation methods in APA. This course should be taken as one of the student’s first three courses.

The course focuses on advanced administration and management issues related to corporate security functions, including strategic and operational management, risk management, contract security services, management of emergencies and loss prevention. Students will assess vulnerabilities and recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report on terrorist attacks upon the Unites States. Facility protection standards are used to determine appropriate courses of action, from a security management perspective, using threat models and risk assessment concepts. Research is required and application of critical thinking is applied to address external threats and countermeasures. Practical exercises are conducted to apply research findings.

The course provides a comparative analysis of relevant security programs in the public and private sectors. The concept of defensible space, internal and external access control and psychological security barriers are examined and evaluated during this course.

This course is an in-depth study of contemporary issues in security management. The course will focus on tools that the professional security manager can use to increase productivity and lower operational cost. Topics explored: personnel security issues (background checks), budgeting, security liability, human resources issues and equal opportunity rights.

This course is an examination of issues of professional and ethical behavior within the security industry. Key issues examined include professional behavior of the individual and the agency. Current topics such as sexual harassment, professionalism, and industry standards are discussed.

The course provides the graduate-level security professional with the tools necessary to effectively plan for, implement, monitor, and administer a security organization in a modern, global, and technologically advanced security program. Upon completion of the course, the student demonstrates expertise in administrating a security program from the following aspects: fiscal, human resource management, change management, global talent management, and resource management perspectives. Students will also assess the concepts of return on investments (ROI) including cost-benefit aspects of asset protection and liaison with other management officials in the organization.

This course is a study in the major decisions made by law enforcement executives from a variety of levels and locales. These decisions include issues in crisis management as well as inter-relationships among community leaders with police executives. Management styles are addressed to determine the most effective methods of implementing solutions to macro social community problems. Additionally, strategic decision-making processes are assessed to evaluate fairness and the aspects of voluntary cooperation and attitudes of all parties. The intent of the course is to provide a thorough analysis of executive decision making from which the student can appreciate the strengths and weaknesses executive decisions while reflecting on the student’s own style and approach to decision making.

This Independent Study is an opportunity for Criminal Justice or Security Management graduate students to pursue an independent research project under the mentorship of a single professor. Students must complete 24 credits of study before taking this course. Participation is at the discretion of the faculty member. The course requires a major research paper; there will be no examination. Students will submit a request to take the independent study to the Registrar and will include the name of a faculty with whom they have coordinated. Prior to registering, students should first contact the professor with whom they wish to mentor their independent study, coordinate an agreement on the grading requirements, and then NOTIFY their Student Advisor with the name of their professor. The final approval to take the independent study will be made by the Program Director.

This course explores the boundaries of this 21st century national security mission by examining the threats, the actors, and the organizational structures and resources required to defend the American homeland. It examines how we have shifted the emphasis to protect the US homeland from the defensive measures taken during the Cold War to both reactive and proactive actions against the wide variety of asymmetric threats posed by Global Terrorism.

This course examines the global terrorism phenomenon and the social, economic, political, and religious conditions of select states, groups, and individuals that influence the terrorist mindset. Students examine the definitions, origins and development of terror as a means of influencing public policy decisions and in fostering transitions in public power to promote group goals. Specific historical instances of the use of terror are evaluated, assessed, and analyzed. Examples of groups such as the Al-Qaeda terrorist network are assessed including focused discussions on current events. Topics include: geography and geopolitics of terrorism, origins and history of terrorism, characteristics and goals of terrorism, role of politics and religion in terrorism, media impact on terrorism recruiting, and Al-Qaeda in Iraq organization.

This course thoroughly examines the special challenges presented by planning a physical security system overseas. Specific considerations include hiring and managing a multi-national guard force, the importance of local liaisons, local hiring practices, outsourcing, terrorism, health issues, and pre-deployment planning. Students mastering this course will be well-placed to take advantage of the current trend for U.S. businesses to create manufacturing facilities and other installations overseas.

This course provides a detailed history of protective services. Topics covered include training and background requirements, obtaining contracts, selecting, training, and managing a security team, security surveys, dealing with clients, legal issues, importance of networking, information sources, and special considerations for clients in high profile industries.

This course will examine cybercrime and the legal, social and technical issues cybercrime presents. With a multi-disciplinary perspective, we will focus on ways information technology is used to commit crimes, investigative techniques used to discover the crimes, and the challenges involved in prosecuting cybercrimes These challenges include jurisdictional issues, application of traditional laws to cybercrimes, and privacy issues encountered during prevention, investigation and prosecution.

This course provides a framework for understanding and protecting against industrial espionage. It reviews the history of industrial espionage, current methods of information elicitation, and explores counterespionage options to defend organizations. Students will also learn how companies place their proprietary and protected information at risk as well as how to prevent unwanted information disclosure. Topics such as the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 and operational counterintelligence are covered. The purpose of the course is to teach how to recognize and neutralize serious threats to both business and government entities.

This course stresses the core principles of the CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) concept. Students learn how to work with architects, city, and municipal planners to ensure new or refurbished construction is designed in such a way as to minimize or eliminate criminal activity. Topics covered include initial planning considerations, gathering information from multiple sources, formulating and implementing the plan based on core CPTED principles, and the need for modifications and review over time.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art in airport security. Air terminal security is covered from the aspect of physical security considerations, baggage screening, training requirements for security personnel, employee screening and awareness programs, aircraft security, ground and air security technologies, integrating security systems for maximum coverage and protection, effective local, state, and federal liaison, counter and anti-terrorism measures, narcotics and contraband - the use of working dog teams, and apron access and security considerations.

The course presents the student with a comprehensive study of physical security assessments and operational issues in the 21st century. Issues discussed and surveyed include: assessments (threat, risk and needs), surveys and audits, surveillance and detection, physical controls, and access controls with a focus on planning and system design, integration, implementation, and management. Additionally, the student is exposed to the integrated system acquisition process. Emphasis is placed on assessing vulnerabilities and distinguishing terms or risk assessment, threats, countermeasures, and cost benefit analysis to meet the need for protection of assets.

Comprehensive final examination for students in the Master of Arts in Security Management Program. The "Comprehensive Final Exam" is tailored specifically to each program and must be taken after students have completed 36 hours of study (i.e. during the semester following the final course) and successfully completed before the award of a degree.