Security Administration-MS | Office | Website

Master of Science-Security Administration
The Master of Science in Security Administration is designed for professional workers (law enforcement, corrections officers, security personnel) and others who desire to further their knowledge of security operations and its related disciplines. It provides an opportunity to broaden and deepen his/her perspective in the administration of security programs. Problem solving, leadership, critical thinking, and the prudent application of theory to practice are skills that the program is designed to foster. The program is developed to meet the need for specialized training for security personnel suited to their unique functions. The degree is designed for those interested in a management career in the security profession. Course work in business, criminal justice, and security provides and opportunity to develop the substantive and procedural knowledge required of the modern security manager in either public service or private enterprise.

The course of study can be pursued on a full- or part-time basis. Furthermore, a three semester sequence has been arranged within the academic year to provide occasion for expediting the completion of program requirements. Close faculty student contact is maintained to assist each student in formulating realistic individual objectives and in selecting course work to attain them. Program arrangements are flexible so that individual needs can be served. Over fifty percent of students enrolling in the two graduate programs are employed full-time, often in the field they are pursuing. Course scheduling and specific, individualized programs are designed to take advantage of student's backgrounds and to permit students to pursue the master's degree at the pace most reasonable to themselves. All programs may be taken in the late afternoon and/or late evening, full or part-time.

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college and must have demonstrated intellectual competence for graduate study. Selection is based on such factors as previous academic record (at least a 2.7 GPA) and/or relevant experience. Acceptance on a probationary status is allowed in some cases where academic standards are not fully met but competence has been indicated by the level of the applicant's professional advancement. Also, as prerequisites, applicants must have had at least fifteen hours of basic course work in the behavioral/social sciences and should solicit three letters of recommendation. Arrangements can be made to make up deficiencies. All applicants will complete a "Statement of Purpose" form regarding their plans in utilizing the degree.

The master's degree programs require completion of a minimum of 36 credit hours of work with a final GPA of at least 3.0 (B). Prescribed core courses are listed below. In addition to course work, all candidates for the master's degree must complete a research component. This is done in one of three ways: (a) a master's thesis, which also conveys six credit hours; (b) two major review papers, or "Plan B" papers, which do not convey course credit; or (c) a master's research paper, which conveys three credit hours. These research components must receive a grade of B or better. In addition, a final comprehensive paper is written during the last semester before the degree is awarded. The master's paper is content-oriented across the 36 hours of the course sequence.

Core Requirements

Based on the student's undergraduate work and career experience, substitutions for the above courses may be made with the approval of the department chair. In addition to the 21 credits, students elect two additional courses in security administration and one course in criminal justice studies to complete the core requirements. Six additional hours may be selected from appropriate graduate departments at the University of Detroit Mercy (e.g., addiction studies, business, education, security, etc.) to complete the 36 hour program with the approval of Department Chair.