Security Officer Training and Requirements
Most employers look to hire security officers with prior law enforcement or military experience and training. Armed security officers are required to hold all state required licenses and meet all security officer training requirements. A POST certificate is helpful and a GED or high school diploma is usually required. Both unarmed and armed security officer jobs will offer higher wages to those with any higher education or training, such as an associate's degree in criminal justice or bachelor's degree in criminal justice. If you have any desire to move into a management level position in private security or government security a B.S. in Organizational Security & Management is an excellent choice. Any prior security officer training will also commensurate higher salary. Security officers that are licensed as an armed security officer also will earn higher wages.
Each state's requirements will vary regarding licensure or certification to work as a security officer. You will need to check with the state in which you desire employment as to what certification and licensing you are required to have in order to gain employment. Firearm certification will also be necessary for any armed security officer employment. In most states, applicants must be at least 18 years old, pass a background check and drug test, complete classroom training in subjects like property rights, emergency procedures, and detention of suspects.
Find Online Schools That Will Prepare You for a Security Officer Career
Security Officer Duty and Job Description
In general, a security guard's/security officer's job description or duty will consist of patrolling on foot or in a patrol vehicle or managing a static security station. Security officers are employed by corporations, private employers and schools. Depending on the nature of the position, a security guard may be armed or unarmed. Most security officer employers will require you to be physically able to perform required duties, be well groomed and professional in appearance, have good verbal and written communication skills, like people, be good at working with the general public, have defensive tactics training or experience, arrest and control techniques training or experience, have vehicle driving and defensive driving skills. Security officers work in banks, schools, hospitals, malls, retail centers, hospitals, hotels and many other locations.
Earn an associate's degree in Criminal Justice in as little 12months. Security officer wages commensurate with higher education. Click here to request free, no obligation information from the Nation's leading online criminal justice associate's degree programs.
Security Officer Career
You will find that many security officers are full-time law enforcement who are moonlighting as security officers for additional income. Some security officers are in the security officer position to gain experience before applying to a law enforcement academy. As you can see, a career as a security officer is not often a primary or long-term position. We found that most security officers, not currently in law enforcement, are actually pursuing degree programs that will prepare them for future employment in law enforcement. James Harrington, a security officer in Florida, commented "I have so much down time in my security position that I now bring my course work to the job with me, so that I can study. I will be completing my degree within the next two months and will be applying to the police academy."
Are you considering a career in law enforcement? If so, most law enforcement agencies are now requiring some college education. An associate's degree will satisfy most agency requirements, however check with the agency you will be applying to. Find a degree program below that will satisfy your agency's requirements and request free, no obligation information today.

Online Criminal Justice and Security Related Degrees
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In a Hurry? Click Here to request information from all of our featured online criminal justice and security related degree programs.

University of Phoenix Online: University of Phoenix will help thouroughly prepare you for careers in the field of criminal justice. University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the country and is dedicated to their students.
BS in Organizational Security & Management
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
MS in Administration of Justice and Security
Information Systems Security Certificate

American InterContinental University:
Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations
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from AIU to learn more about these programs.

Capella University:
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Criminal Justice
MS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Public Safety Leadership
PhD Programs - Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, and Public Safety Leadership
Request free information
from Capella University to learn more.

Everest University Online :
Criminal Investigations Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Bachelor's Degree
Criminal Justice Associate's Degree
Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree
Paralegal Associate's
Paralegal Bachelor's

Herzing University:
AS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Homeland Security

Kaplan University:
AAS in Criminal Justice
AASCJ - Corrections, Law Enforcement, Private Security
BS in Criminal Justice
BSCJ - Private Security, Law Enforcement, Computer Crime, Corrections, Homeland Security...
MS in Criminal Justice
MS in Criminal Justice Global Issues
Request information to learn more about these as well as other Criminal Justice Programs at Kaplan University.

Keiser University:
AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Homeland Security
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Legal Studies
Master's in Criminal Justice
Request information to learn more about these as well as other Criminal Justice Programs at Keiser University.

Portland State University:
Bachelor's in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Rasmussen College Online: Locations throughout the Country - Offering Online Programs
Certificate - Police Officer Education
Associate's in Accounting - Financial Investigation
Associate's Criminal Justice
Associate's Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's Criminal Justice

St Leo University: Undergrad Studies - Distance Learning
Bachelor's in Criminology

Utica College Online:
Certificate in Financial Crimes Investigator
Bachelor's in Cybersecurity - Cybercrime Investigations and Forensics
Bachelor's in Cybersecurity - Information Assurance
Bachelor's in Economic Crime Investigation
MBA in Economic Crime and Fraud Management

Walden University Online: Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Management & Administration
BS in Criminal Justice - Computer Info Syst & Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Crime & Criminals
BS in Criminal Justice - Human Services for CJ
MPA - Homeland Security and Policy Coordination
PhD in Public Policy - Homeland Security
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Westwood College:
Bachelor Degree - Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degree - Information Systems Security

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