Security Guard Education Requirements And Courses

Q: What degree do you need to be a security guard?

You do not need a degree to be a security guard. Most states require security guards have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some guards may be required to have additional training, such as first aid and CPR certification.

Security guard education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, security guards don't need a college education. The most common degree for security guards is high school diploma with 42% graduates, with only 21% security guard graduates earning bachelor's degree. Security guards who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Monroe College. Some good skills to have in this position include customer service, patrol and ladders.

Popular security guard certifications include Security 5 Certification, Commercial Driver License (CDL), or OSHA Safety Certificate . To improve security guard qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in security guard education paths.

What education do you need to become a security guard?

What degree do you need to be a security guard?

The most common degree for security guards is high school diploma, with 42% of security guards earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 21% and bachelor's degree degree at 20%.

High School Diploma, 42%

Bachelor's, 21%

Associate, 20%

Diploma, 10%

Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a security guard?

You should major in criminal justice to become a security guard. 29% of security guards major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a security guard include business and general studies.

Criminal Justice, 29%

Business, 17%

General Studies, 9%

Psychology, 4%

Other Majors, 41%

Best majors for security guards

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Criminal Justice	28.6%
2	Business	16.5%
3	General Studies	9.4%
4	Psychology	4.4%
5	Liberal Arts	4.4%

Show more common security guard majors

20 best online courses for security guards

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Average security guard salary by education level

Security guards with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $36,594 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, security guards earn a median annual income of $34,092 compared to $32,298 for security guards with an Associate degree.

Security guard education level	Security guard salary
Master's Degree	$36,594
High School Diploma or Less	$31,265
Bachelor's Degree	$34,092
Some College/ Associate Degree	$32,298

Security guard education requirements

What education do you need to become a security guard?

What degree do you need to be a security guard?

What should I major in to become a security guard?

Best majors for security guards

20 best online courses for security guards

Average security guard salary by education level

Security guard education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a security guard?

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