Security Studies, Certificate
More than half the world's population live in countries like the United States, where private security personnel outnumber law enforcement officers. Enhance your ASU undergraduate degree with this certificate program that teaches you in-demand skills important to the field of private security, in corporate and other settings.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
The security studies certificate program provides you with the skills and credentials necessary for expanding your employment opportunities in corporate and public security.
You learn about transdisciplinary topics such as accounting, computer studies, information systems and crime analysis through the curriculum; part of this curriculum consists of advanced crime and law courses.
Upon completion of this certificate, you are well-equipped to have fluid conversations with professionals from different backgrounds about security, whether corporate or private.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 18 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
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The certificate in security studies requires 18 credit hours, of which 12 are upper division. Students select two core courses, two IT electives and two additional electives from each course list. |
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6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
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C | 6 |
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6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
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6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
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C | 6 |
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Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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Bachelor of Science in criminology and criminal justice majors who are also pursuing the security studies certificate may not use CRJ 412, CRJ 419, CRJ 463, and CRJ 464 towards both their degree and certificate.
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What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Apply knowledge from computer information systems and accounting to private sector security concerns.
- Demonstrate competency in how the criminal justice system, including the police, courts, correctional agencies, and the private sector respond to crime and security issues, including domestic terrorist threats.
Apply knowledge from computer information systems and accounting to private sector security concerns.Enrollment requirements
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Graduates of the security studies certificate program find a strong job market in the public and private sectors. Employment opportunities include supervisory and management positions in corporate and public security as well as in criminal justice agencies at federal, state and local levels.
Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
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UCENT 600
SCCJAdvising@asu.edu
602-496-1658
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
