Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Security Management

Program Summary:

Credits Required: 36
Tuition Per Credit:

Next Start Date:

08-25-2022

The online Master of Science Program in Security Management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers a dynamic online education taught by experts in the security industry. You will develop an understanding of security theory while acquiring the practical skills needed for a successful career. The online program is suitable for both security professionals and those seeking opportunities in the global security industry. Key components of the program are:

  • 100% online courses - Flexible course schedule. No scheduled meeting times. You can study when and where you want.
  • Small class size - Typically no more than 20 students per class. That means more one-on-one time with the instructor.
  • Accelerated 8-week session format - Earn up to 6 credits every 8 weeks. Part-time and full-time options are available.
  • Prominent faculty - Our faculty are global experts in security management.
  • Affordable price - We offer one of the most affordable security management programs in the U.S.
  • A prestigious degree - Online or on campus, you will earn a John Jay College degree that is recognized worldwide.
     

A senior college of The City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a preeminent national and international leader in justice education, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

 

For more information about our program, please complete the Request Information form, or apply today for admission.

Curriculum

Courses in the online Master of Science in Security Management program are offered in various sequences to allow for individualized flexibility. Students complete the program typically within two years.

Plan of Study

All courses in the online M.S. in Security Management program are offered in six accelerated eight-week sessions each year, including two sessions in the Fall, one in the Summer, and two in the Spring. Students admitted to the program may enroll in up to six credit hours of courses during each eight-week session.

To complete the program, a student must earn a total of 36 credit hours, including:

  • 12 credit hours in Core Courses
  • 12 credit hours in Management Analytic
  • 12 credit hours in Electives


(For credit transfers from another program, please visit the Admissions page for the details.)

Listed below are the courses offered by the program. All of them are three-credit courses, except the six-credit Thesis elective. 

Curriculum Courses


CORE COURSES (12 credits)
Course Name
SEC 701 Introduction to Protection Management Systems
Course Description
Develops and integrates theory and principles common to the design and implementation of systems--broadly defined--for the protection of people and property in public, commercial and residential settings from loss associated with fire, casualty, disruption and crime. Reviews and integrates the historical, theoretical, managerial, and technological bases for the fields associated with protection management: security managementand fire protection management. Reviews security design issues and technologies applicable to structural and nonstructural environments. Examines alternative roles and structures for protection management in public, private, and independent sector organizations, and their relationships to law enforcement organizations.
Course Name
SEC 732 Privatization: Models and Applications for Private Security
Course Description
3 credits
Course discusses how public policing functions are being “privatized” on a national and global scale. Course delivers specific instruction on how private security partners, develop and execute effective collaboration with the public police sector. Course also provides specific guidance on how private security professionals identify potential markets for privatized services, how those services are contracted and are assessed under traditional cost-benefit analysis. The course also deals with marketing challenges for private security entities and the various career tracks that have emerged from the privatization movement.
Course Name
SEC 733 Legal, Regulatory and Administrative Issues in Private Sector
Course Description
The course delves into the legal ramifications and issues commonly witnessed in private security practice. The course weighs and scrutinizes the rules, regulations, and administrative legalities relevant to the typical roles and functions of private security Course examine how state and local authorities regulate the industry. Course evaluates relevant case law and authorities that set out the parameters of constitutional applicability. How the private security industry becomes liable for conduct in tort law, strict liability and other civil harms is also covered and with special emphasis on how the private security industry becomes legally entangled with public police agencies.
Course Name
SEC 731 Risk, Threat and Critical Infrastructure
Course Description
A broad overview of the concept of threat and risk is first provided in the course approach with a special emphasis on how the private security industry plays a critical role in the control and maintenance thereof. Next, the course targets specified Critical Infrastructure in light of risk and threat by cataloguing and defining specific targets. The class introduces the concept of CI as an industrial and enterprise risk conductor, highlighting the reality that a CI failure can propagate a crisis with cascading repercussions to other CI sectors and the entire economic ecosystem. The course then considers the new global forces behind threats and hazards facing the public and private sectors. What is needed to better cultivate, design, develop, and operate emerging management and preparedness thinking in the current environment is explored.


MANAGEMENT ANALYTIC (12 credits)
Course Name
SEC 715 Analytical Methods in Protection Management
Course Description
Surveys analytical tools of particular value to protection managers. Covers the use of computer programs to reveal basic descriptive statistics, trends and correlations in databases, including threats to the validity and reliability of findings. Examines the adaptation of methods from related disciplines, including operations research, surveys, systems safety and simple financial analyses.
Course Name
PAD 705 Organization Theory and Management
Course Description
Examines organizational structure using formal, informal, and systems models. Applies the models to the analysis of organizational processes and operations including decision making, communication, leadership, control, and change. Considers how size, technology, task, and other structural characteristics affect overall organizational performance.
Course Name
PAD 744 Capital and Operational Budgeting
Course Description
Reviews concepts, processes and techniques of budget plarming, preparation, presentation, authorization, administration and control. Focuses on problems associated with the management of capital budgets.
Course Name
PAD 750 Security of Information Technology
Course Description
This course surveys the role and function of inspection and oversight in the public and not-for-profit sectors. You’ll be introduced to the techniques of internal investigation, policy oversight and operational auditing. You’ll also examine fraud prevention and the auditor-agency relationship.


ELECTIVES (12 credits)
Course Name
SEC 703 Analysis of Building and Fire Codes
Course Description
An examination of the purpose, origin and enforcement of building codes in various sections of our country. Zoning regulations, appeal procedures, and local laws applicable to building codes and their impact on fire protection will be reviewed. This course is intended to enable a manager in a state or municipal agency to understand the process of code development and enforcement as well as estimate the cost and time required to develop, implement and enforce a building code. For those in the private sector, the course will provide an understanding of the background and purpose of codes necessary in the planning, construction, and management of commercial and industrial properties.
Course Name
SEC 711 Introduction to Emergency Management
Course Description
Examines the theory and practice of strategic and operational planning for emergency response. Reviews the principles associated with evaluation of risk and the formulation of prevention programs. Identifies the issues and policy responses necessary to achieve coordination of agencies and collaboration with appropriate private resources. Cases and scenarios will be examined to apply these concepts in practice.
Course Name
SEC 712 Theory and Design of Fire Protection Systems
Course Description
Introduces the theory and design of fire protection systems in buildings, including systems that enable automatic fire suppression, the containment of fire and smoke, and the notification and movement of people to safe locations. Examines the interaction between such systems and building codes and construction technologies.
Course Name
SEC 730 Private Security: Function and Role in Homeland Defense
Course Description
Course analyzes the interconnectedness of private security and homeland defense. Students study the interactions, conflicts and synergy between private sector security and government homeland security. Students review and analyze threats to private infrastructure and interests, as well planning for and responding to emergencies that affect the private and public sectors. Goal of the course is to provide students with homeland defense and anti-terrorism knowledge to evaluate and mitigate vulnerabilities and risks in the private sector.
Course Name
SEC 740 Safety and Security in the Built Environment
Course Description
Reviews the concepts and technologies associated with building systems, the requirements imposed on designs and systems by national, regional and local building codes. Introduces the principal technologies associated with alarm, detection and communication systems, and their applications to promote security and safety in buildings, and reviews the elements of operations plans to implement and maintain such Systems.
Course Name
SEC 753 Theory and Design of Security Systems
Course Description
Examines the theory, research literature and professional practice associated with the design and implementation of security procedures, programs and systems. Reviews methods and techniques associated with communication and surveillance, supervision and control of movement, and operational surveillance and supervision of environments. Emphasizes the development of plans and operational programs based on the comprehensive assessment of risk, including the design of operational procedures and appropriate training of staff. Examines law enforcement implications of security systems.
Course Name
SEC 754 Contemporary Issues in Security Management
Course Description
Examines contemporary security risks and explores theoretical, technological and operational responses in public, commercial and residential settings. Emphasizes current research from situational crime prevention. Analyzes cases from a perspective that integrates security management with related managerial operations. Students will develop skills in risk assessment and problem identification, and in the formulation and analysis of appropriate responses.
Course Name
SEC 762 Business Continuity Planning
Course Description
Introduces the theory of business continuity planning; the course will discuss the development of plans and their essential components. Emphasis is on identification and implementation of the appropriate recovery organization, goals, objectives and strategies in the organizational environment. The course will include exercises on the development of business continuity plans, case studies of successful plans and coordination of plans with local government response organizations. Software resources will be considered to plan and manage the continuity process.
Course Name
SEC 781 Risk Analysis and Loss Prevention
Course Description
Introduces the theory and practice of risk management, as applied to the security and safety of persons and property. Examines the management of risk associated with a range of conditions and events including fire, building systems, crime and terrorism, security deficiencies, worker safety, hazardous and toxic materials, disasters and emergencies. Considers analytical software applications in the risk analysis process.
Course Name
SEC 791 Thesis (6 credits)
Course Name
PAD 748 Project Management
Course Description
Explores the management of major one-time tasks-a special event, emergency response and large scale investigation of study. Examines the special managerial tools and studies as well as the challenges that apply to managing one-time assignments, particularly where teams are involved.
Course Name
SEC 344: Event and Executive Protection
Course Name
SEC 331: Maritime Security
Course Name
SEC 380: Independent Research in Security Management
Course Name
SEC 385: Faculty Mentored Research


Thesis Track

Students may ask for approval from the Program Director to complete the program through the Thesis Track, which allows eligible students to earn six credits in Electives for completing a Thesis prospectus and Thesis document. This option is available only to students with a 3.5 GPA or higher.

Requirements

Comprehensive Examination

All students in the program must pass a Comprehensive Exam that measures knowledge essential to security management and is administered by the program. The exam is offered every six months. The Program Director will issue a list of readings and texts at least 30 days before the administration of each Exam. Students must complete 24 credits in the program in order to be eligible to complete the exam. Students who fail the exam have two additional opportunities to retake it, in accordance with normal academic calendar.

Meet the Faculty

Faculty Picture
John Jay Online

Faculty Name
Robert Till


Faculty Title
Professor and Chairperson
Department of Security, Fire and Emergency Management
Program Director for Masters of Science in Security Management

Education
BS, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey
MS, PHD, Worchester Polytechnic Institute

Biography
Faculty Bio

Robert Till, PhD, is the Deputy Chair for both the undergraduate Fire Science program and the graduate program in the Department of Protection Management. His field of study is fire protection engineering with an emphasis on firefighting and protection of transport infrastructure projects.

Faculty Picture
Marie-Helen Maras

Faculty Name
Marie-Helen Maras


Faculty Title
Department of Security, Fire and Emergency Management

Education
BS, University of Maryland
MA, University of New Haven
MSc, University of Oxford
MPhil, University of Oxford
DPhil, University of Oxford

Biography
Faculty Bio

Dr. Marie-Helen Maras is an Associate Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She has published a major work at CRC Press, titled CRC Press Reader on Terrorism, and three major works at Jones and Bartlett, books titled: Computer Forensics: Cybercriminals, Laws and Evidence; Exploring Criminal Justice: The Essentials; and Counterterrorism. She has also published articles on the economic, social and political consequences of mass surveillance in the European Journal of Law and Economics, the International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, and the Hamburg Review of Social Sciences. Moreover, she has provided chapters for edited volumes by Benjamin Goold and Daniel Neyland, titled New Directions in Privacy and Surveillance (Willan Publishing, 2009), and Justin Sinclair and Daniel Antonius, titled The Political Psychology of Terrorism Fears (Oxford University Press, 2013). In addition to her teaching and academic work, Dr. Maras’ background includes approximately seven years of service in the U.S. Navy with significant experience in security and law enforcement from her posts as a Navy Law Enforcement Specialist and Command Investigator. While in the Navy, she supervised her personnel in conducting over 130 counter-surveillance operations throughout Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. During the early stages of her military career, she worked as an Electronics and Calibration Technician.

Faculty Picture
Robert McCrie

Faculty Name
Robert McCrie


Faculty Title
Professor and Deputy Chairperson for Security
Department of Security, Fire and Emergency Management

Education
BA, Ohio Wesleyan University
MS, University of Toledo
MA, The City University of New York
MPhil, The City University of New York
PHD, The City University of New York

Biography
Faculty Bio

Robert McCrie began his career in protection as a security guard in his home town of Toledo, Ohio. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree, he began his teaching career in biology at the University of Toledo. He subsequently conducted research and studied in the US and Denmark. He next became an advertising copywriter on scientific and consumer accounts at a series of New York City advertising agencies. In 1970, he left advertising and started a newsletter concerned with protection of assets from loss. The next year he began consulting in a wide variety of issues concerning security. In the 1970’s McCrie joined the advisory board of John Jay’s Security Management Institute. In the following years, he became more involved at John Jay --planning programs, lecturing, and aiding students. In 1986, McCrie joined the faculty on a tenure-track line, eventually reaching full professor and serving as chair (1997-2003). En route he obtained a doctorate in urban history under Richard C. Wade. McCrie has written and edited widely in the field, including Security Operations Management, published by Butterworth-Heinemann. In recent years, he has become committed to the radical reform of prisons in the US and other countries.

Faculty Picture
Kevin Cassidy

Faculty Name
Kevin Cassidy


Faculty Title
Substitute Lecturer
Department of Security, Fire and Emergency Management

Education
BS, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
MA, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Biography
Faculty Bio

Kevin Cassidy is Vice President of Global Security for Thomson Reuters. He is responsible for the security and safety of one of the largest information and financial news service providers throughout the world. His extensive knowledge of security, safety and business continuity allows him to interact with building owners and facility managers worldwide. Kevin currently oversees security as well as health and safety issues for over 600 offices, totaling over 18 million square feet and over fifty-five thousand employees.

Mr. Cassidy has an MA and a BS in Criminal Justice Administration from John Jay College. He is a licensed private investigator in both New York and New Jersey. In addition to his book, Loss Prevention and Fire Safety , he has written several articles on security, investigations and fire safety. Kevin has taught at the graduate level and regularly lectures regarding security and business continuity for various professional organizations. He has taught at John Jay College and, for the past fifteen years, he has lectured in John Jay’s Security Management Institute.

Faculty Picture
John Jay Online

Faculty Name
Charles Jennings


Faculty Title
Associate Professor
Department of Security, Fire and Emergency Management

Director, Christian Rosengard Center for Emergency Response Studies

Education
AS, Montgomery College
BS, University of Maryland at College Park
MS, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY
MRP, Cornell University
PHD, Cornell University

Biography
Faculty Bio

Charles Jennings, PhD, MIFireE, CFO, recently rejoined the faculty after serving as the deputy commissioner for public safety for the City of White Plains, NY. He has conducted research on numerous topics, many related to public policy issues and the fire service. He also serves as Director of the College's Christian Regenhard Center for Emergency Response Studies. He earned his doctoral degree in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University.

Faculty Picture
John Jay Online

Faculty Name
Randall Nason


Faculty Title
Adjunct Faculty
Department of Security, Fire and Emergency Management

Faculty Picture
Coming Soon

Faculty Name
Timothy J. Flannery


Faculty Title
Adjunct Faculty
Department of Security, Fire and Emergency Management

Education
BA, Empire State College, State University of New York
MS, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Biography
Faculty Bio

Timothy J. Flannery, MS, is a member of the Training and Education Advisory Council for the New Jersey Fire Safety Commission. He has authored articles on fire training for Fire Engineering Magazine and The Voice podcast (publications of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors). In addition to teaching at John Jay College, he has also been an instructor of fire science programs at Passaic County Community College and Warren County Community College in New Jersey.

Faculty Picture
Joseph J. Gulinello

Faculty Name
Joseph J. Gulinello


Faculty Title
Adjunct Faculty
Department of Security, Fire and Emergency Management

Education
BA, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
MPA, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Biography
Faculty Bio

Joseph J. Gulinello has held executive and senior security management positions with the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation, Integrated Security Solutions Inc., Securitas USA, Interfaith Health, and Loews Corporation. He is a retired NYPD detective, having served in the Emergency Service and Crime Scene units. He is also a retired USAR lieutenant colonel, having served in command and staff positions, including the military police command. He was an instructor, then regional faculty director, for the Army Command and General Staff College. As an adjunct professor, he has taught in the criminal justice or security management programs at: St. John's University; Fairleigh Dickinson University; New York Institute of Technology; Adelphi University; LaGuardia Community College; and Interboro Institute. He is currently a council vice president for ASIS International.

Faculty Picture
John Friedlander

Faculty Name
John Friedlander


Faculty Title
Adjunct Faculty
Department of Security, Fire and Emergency Management

Education
BFA, New York University
MS, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Biography
Faculty Bio

John Friedlander is currently Director of Security at Cushman & Wakefield, assigned to a financial institution's Northeast and Midwest high-rise portfolio. Responsible for security management, protection of corporate assets, business continuity and crisis management, fire/life safety. Private sector liaison to local, state and federal agency partners across multiple regions / jurisdictions. Graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a Master of Science in Protection Management.

Faculty Picture
Coming Soon

Faculty Name
Jeanne-Marie Col


Faculty Title
Associate Professor, Department of Public Management

Education
BA, University of California, Davis
MA, University of California, Davis
PhD, University of South Carolina, Columbia

Biography
Faculty Bio

Jeanne-Marie is Associate Professor of Public Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York. She served as United Nations Senior Interregional Adviser in Governance and Public Administration from 1990-2003. Previously Dr. Col served as professor at University of Illinois at Springfield, State University of New York at Albany, and Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Dr. Col researches, teaches and consults in organization development, program evaluation, re-establishing governance in post-conflict countries, re-structuring government operations to support private sector development, civil service reform, management training, public policy analysis, human resources management, justice administration, parliamentary administration and emergency management. She has worked in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. In the American Society for Public Administration, Dr. Col has served on National Council, and as Chair National Conference Program, Chair Regional Conference (VI), Chair Commission on Organization and Structure, Chair Section of Women in Public Administration, Chair Section on Emergency and Crisis Management, Member Editorial Board of the Public Administration Review, Chair of National Strategic Initiative Group for Chapters and Sections, and President of the New York Metro Chapter. She has also served as Board Member, Pi Alpha Alpha National Public Administration Honor Society / NASPAA. Currently, she is serving as Chair Section on International and Comparative Administration and Chair of the second annual Northeast Conference on Public Administration (NECoPA), to be held at John Jay College in October 2011. Jeanne-Marie recently published "Managing Disasters: The role of local governments" in the Public Administration Review (2007) and "Successful Earthquake Mitigation in Qinglong County during the Great Tangshan Earthquake: Lessons for Hurricane Katrina" in the Chinese Public Administration Review (2007).

Faculty Picture
Coming Soon

Faculty Name
Norman Groner


Faculty Title
Associate Professor
Department of Security, Fire and Emergency Management

Education
BS, Antioch College
MS, University of Washington
PHD, University of Washington

Biography
Faculty Bio

Norman Groner, PhD, is a well-known expert on human and organizational factors that pertain to fire safety and emergency planning. He recently served as an expert advisor to the National Institute of Standards and Technology investigation of building evacuations during the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.