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Security forces member education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, security forces members don't need a college education. The most common degree for security forces members is bachelor's degree with 41% graduates, with only 23% security forces member graduates earning associate degree. Security forces members who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or American University. Some good skills to have in this position include patrol, metal detectors and public safety.

Popular security forces member certifications include Security 5 Certification, First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor, or Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI). To improve security forces member qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in security forces member education paths.

What education do you need to become a security forces member?

What degree do you need to be a security forces member?

The most common degree for security forces members is bachelor's degree, with 41% of security forces members earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 23% and associate degree degree at 19%.
  • Bachelor's, 41%
  • Associate, 23%
  • High School Diploma, 19%
  • Master's, 9%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a security forces member?

You should major in criminal justice to become a security forces member. 37% of security forces members major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a security forces member include business and psychology.

Best majors for security forces members

RankMajorPercentages
1Criminal Justice37.4%
2Business14.1%
3Psychology6.4%
4General Studies5.8%
5Political Science3.3%

20 best online courses for security forces members

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1. Security Awareness Training

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

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

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

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

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

5. Automotive Cyber Security

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

6. Security Management: Excellence in Private Protection

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

7. 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...

8. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!

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

9. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp

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

10. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)

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Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...

11. Cyber Security: Awareness For Everyone (2023)

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

12. Introduction to the CISSP Security Certification

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Introduction to the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification for 2021...

13. IT Security 101 - Cyber Security for Beginners

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

14. Cybersecurity: Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst NOW!

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Jump-start your cybersecurity career from the gateway to success: A Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst...

15. IT Security Gumbo: Cloud Security Fundamentals

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The Foundation of AWS Cloud Security...

16. Microsoft Security Fundamentals

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Learn the Fundamentals of Information Security for the Windows Operating System...

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

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

18. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP

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Making Next Gen Information Security Leaders...

19. Security Guard Training Course

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Security Officer Training In Today's Job Market...

20. Introduction to Cyber Security

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Learn the basic and vital components of Cyber Security & Cyberspace. In this course you learn cyber security components!...

Average security forces member salary by education level

Security forces members with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $40,571 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, security forces members earn a median annual income of $37,982 compared to $36,118 for security forces members with an Associate degree.
Security forces member education levelSecurity forces member salary
Master's Degree$40,571
High School Diploma or Less$35,041
Bachelor's Degree$37,982
Some College/ Associate Degree$36,118

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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