Most Affordable Online Master’s In Security Degrees

An advanced degree in security opens many doors. When you earn an MA in Homeland Security from Northeastern you will be introduced to varieties of threats

Updated on February 22, 2023

Secure a rewarding career and national safety with one of the nation's best online Master's in Security degrees.

Are you passionate about national and global safety? Can you envision yourself on the front lines of an emergency or crisis, whether natural or manmade? Do you inspire to lead teams of equally passionate people who are as committed to community safety and health as you?

Then an advanced degree in security may be the next step for you!

Accredited Online College Programs

Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.

What kind of master's in security degree should you get?

Though each of these 30 programs will fully train you to respond and prepare for disaster, no program is quite like the other.

While some programs emphasize the administrative aspects of security, such as Mississippi College, others offer broad criminal justice degrees wherein you can specialize in security. Even more, some programs are explicitly security degrees that provide specialization opportunities in everything from white collar crime to cyber security.

Or perhaps you want to study emergency management strategies in addition to national security. Arizona State University has the program for you. Just be sure to find a program that reflects your career goals.

Despite the differences in programs, all of the programs on this list can be earned fully online. Distance education is not only a flexible way to advance your career, it's affordable too. For that reason, be sure to check out College Choice's Best Online Colleges and Universities.

How much money do people make with a master's in security degree?

With one of these graduate degrees you will be showing future employers your commitment to advanced training in security. You will also open many vocational doors. Meaning, these degrees can be applied to several job opportunities with varying average salaries.

Jobs in homeland security, whether that means border control or intelligence analysis, can range anywhere from $40,000 a year to $95,000 a year. For example, TSA Agents make around $39,800 annually while those who go into cyber crime security have average salaries hovering around $95,500 a year.

What can you do with a master's in security degree?

An advanced degree in security opens many doors. Whether you want to work on the front lines, directly serving those affected by natural or manmade disasters, or you want to work in the background, creating effective prevention plans, a Master's in Security will help you get there.

In fact, graduates from the 30 programs below can speak to the versatility of the degree. They have gone on to secure a variety of rewarding careers in:

  • Law Enforcement

  • Security Analysis

  • Criminal Justice Administration

  • Counter Terrorism

  • Emergency Management

Additionally, many of the programs on our list offer specialized certification in an array of areas, from anti-terrorism to cyber security. Added certification will prepare you for work at higher levels of management, and it will make you stand out from the crowd during the application process.

What are the requirements for an online Master's in Security degree?

Most of the programs on our list require between one and two years to complete, depending on the level of training. In your first term or year you will build a foundation in security fundamentals. This may include classes on US homeland security, disaster response, emergency management, and the natural and social causes of crisis.

In your second year you can specialize through either a formal concentration or through a customizable curriculum and electives. This is the ideal time to pursue those areas and topics that reflect your career goals.

Once you finished coursework you may have to complete a field practicum, internship, or capstone project. Here at College Choice we've been sure to note the nuances of each program and its respective requirements.

What are the best online master's in security degrees?

While some of these programs are offered through large research universities and others through small religious colleges, they all share one thing one common: they are the 30 best online master's in security programs in the country.

To find the best we first looked at each program in the country that offers the degree online. From there we looked at the academic reputation of each school and then examined key criteria such as retention rates, affordability, and the early salaries of graduates.

After such extensive research, we determined the best programs in the nation that prepare security officials. Our figures and information come from the university and colleges' websites, PayScale, and nationally recognized U.S. News & World Report and The National Center for Education Statistics.

Ranking

See our rankings methodology page.

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