Security Agent Education Requirements And Courses

Security agent education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, security agents don't need a college education. The most common degree for security agents is bachelor's degree with 34% graduates, with only 26% security agent graduates earning high school diploma. Security agents who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Miami Dade College. Some good skills to have in this position include customer service, patrol and emergency situations.

Popular security agent certifications include Security 5 Certification, First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor, or OSHA Safety Certificate . To improve security agent qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in security agent education paths.

What education do you need to become a security agent?

What degree do you need to be a security agent?

The most common degree for security agents is bachelor's degree, with 34% of security agents earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 26% and high school diploma degree at 25%.

Bachelor's, 34%

High School Diploma, 26%

Associate, 25%

Diploma, 7%

Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a security agent?

You should major in criminal justice to become a security agent. 31% of security agents major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a security agent include business and general studies.

Criminal Justice, 31%

Business, 20%

General Studies, 5%

Psychology, 4%

Other Majors, 40%

Best majors for security agents

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Criminal Justice	31.2%
2	Business	20.2%
3	General Studies	4.6%
4	Psychology	4.5%
5	Liberal Arts	4.2%

Show more common security agent majors

20 best online courses for security agents

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1. Automotive Cyber Security

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A learners Guide: Covers Automotive Security, Concepts of Security and many more...

2. Planning and Implementing a Security Incident Response

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Learn all about planning and implementing a Security Incident Response along with best practices and recommendations...

3. ISO/IEC 27002:2022. Information security controls

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Learn about the comprehensive set of information security controls proposed by ISO/IEC 27002:2022...

4. Cyber Security: Awareness For Everyone (2023)

4.6

(343)

Cyber Security First Steps: Privacy, Phishing, Social Engineering, Malware, Email Security, and Hackers...

5. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) - Security breaches under control

4.4

(667)

A vendor-neutral introduction to DLP with hands-on labs and examples. Network security in action!...

6. Linux Security and Hardening, The Practical Security Guide.

4.5

(3,902)

Secure any Linux server from hackers & protect it against hacking. The practical Linux Administration security guide...

7. IT Security 101 - Cyber Security for Beginners

4.2

(390)

Learn cyber security best practice tips on securing computer networks from internal & external IT cyber security threats...

8. AWS Security: DevSecOps & AWS Security Services & Terraform

4.5

(331)

Cloud Security in AWS Implement SAST, SCA & DAST in AWS Dev Sec Ops Pipeline from scratch and Security Services in AWS...

9. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!

4.6

(16,367)

Volume 2 : Network Security, Wi Fi Security, Wi Fi Hackers, Firewalls, Wireshark, Secure Networking. + Password Managers...

10. Cyber Security: Info Security, Combat Cyber Threats, ChatGPT

4.4

(760)

Cyber Threats, Attacks, Viruses, Chat GPT & Cyber, Cyber Crimes, Firewalls, Cyber Security Concepts, Digital Forensics...

11. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp

4.2

(267)

A Beginners Awareness Guide on Information Security & Cyber Security to Keep Online and Offline Devices Safe!...

12. Security Management: Excellence in Private Protection

4.5

(905)

A complete Security Management knowledge suite of managing security operations, programs/services, budgets, & personnel...

13. CCNP,CCIE Security SCOR (350-701) Training Part-2/2

4.5

(282)

Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (SCOR 350-701) with Step by Step Lab Workbook...

14. Information Security Basics for IT Support Technicians

4.3

(300)

Learn the basics of information security and what you need to know to be compliant with data protection regulations...

15. IT Security Gumbo: Cloud Security Fundamentals

4.1

(559)

The Foundation of AWS Cloud Security...

16. CCNP,CCIE Security SCOR (350-701) Training Part-1/2

4.4

(841)

Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (SCOR 350-701) with Step by Step Lab Workbook...

17. Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) V4

4.5

(1,672)

Your first step toward cloud security expertise...

18. SAP Security Training

4.1

(696)

A Practical and Detail Learning Program on SAP Security & Authorizations...

19. The Complete Cyber Security Awareness Training for Employees

4.1

(466)

Learn Cyber Security Awareness and Best Practices with SIA's Top Cyber Security Experts...

20. Security Awareness Training, Internet Security for Employees

4.6

(29,418)

Basic security awareness guide on Internet security and privacy to help keep you, your home, and your employer safe...

Average security agent salary by education level

Security agents with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $44,073 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, security agents earn a median annual income of $39,148 compared to $35,762 for security agents with an Associate degree.

Security agent education level	Security agent salary
Master's Degree	$44,073
High School Diploma or Less	$33,868
Bachelor's Degree	$39,148
Some College/ Associate Degree	$35,762