Security systems specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a security systems specialist. Security systems specialists usually study business, computer science, or criminal justice. 56% of security systems specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 26% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 364 real security systems specialist resumes to see exactly what security systems specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for security systems specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online security systems specialist courses to help get the education required to be a security systems specialist.

There are certain security systems specialist certifications that you should consider. These security systems specialist certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) and CompTIA Radio Frequency Identification (RFID+) Certification (CompTIA).

What education do you need to become a security systems specialist?

What degree do you need to be a security systems specialist?

The most common degree for security systems specialists is bachelor's degree, with 56% of security systems specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 26% and associate degree degree at 8%.

Bachelor's, 56%

Associate, 26%

Master's, 8%

High School Diploma, 5%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a security systems specialist?

You should major in business to become a security systems specialist. 14% of security systems specialists major in business. Other common majors for a security systems specialist include computer science and criminal justice.

Business, 14%

Computer Science, 13%

Criminal Justice, 12%

Electrical Engineering, 11%

Other Majors, 50%

Most common colleges for security systems specialists

Security systems specialists often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, Strayer University, and George Mason University. Here are the most common colleges for security systems specialists in the US based on their resumes.

Security systems specialist common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	18.37%
Strayer University	6.12%
George Mason University	6.12%
ECPI University	4.08%
University of the District of Columbia	4.08%

Show more common security systems specialist colleges

Best majors for security systems specialists

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	13.7%
2	Computer Science	12.6%
3	Criminal Justice	12.0%
4	Electrical Engineering	11.4%
5	Information Technology	8.6%

Show more common security systems specialist majors

Best colleges for security systems specialists

The best colleges for security systems specialists are Boston University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

A security systems specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for security systems specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become security systems specialists.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

2. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

3. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

4. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

6. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

7. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

8. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

9. SUNY College at Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,369

Enrollment

5,229

10. SUNY College at Oswego

Oswego, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,440

Enrollment

7,039

20 best online courses for security systems specialists

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1. Ethical Hacker

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Gain the highly sought-after skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems from security threats or attacks...

3. Information Systems Auditing, Controls and Assurance

The course is awarded The Best Free Online Courses of All Time, and Best Online Courses of the Year (2021 Edition) by Class Central (http://www.classcentral.com). --- Information systems (IS) are important assets to business organizations and are ubiquitous in our daily lives. With the latest IS technologies emerging, such as Big Data, FinTech, Virtual Banks, there are more concerns from the public on how organizations maintain systems’ integrity, such as data privacy, information security, the...

4. Secure Networked System with Firewall and IDS

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5. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)

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6. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP

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7. Intro to Cybersecurity

Get your start in the high growth field of Cybersecurity by building foundational skills in how to evaluate, maintain, and monitor the security of computer systems...

8. Security Analyst

Meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals by gaining the skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems...

9. Systems and Application Security

Welcome to Systems and Application Security Course! In the Systems and Application Security Course, you will gain an understanding of computer code that can be described as harmful or malicious. Both technical and non-technical attacks will be discussed. You will learn how an organization can protect itself from these attacks. You will learn concepts in endpoint device security, cloud infrastructure security, securing big data systems, and securing virtual environments. Objectives 1. Identify...

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11. Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISSP

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12. Certified Healthcare InfoSys Security Practitioner (CHISSP)

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Certified Healthcare Information Systems Security Practitioner (CHISSP)...

13. Security Architect

Meet the growing demand for security architects and learn the skills required to advance your cybersecurity career. You will master the skills necessary to become a successful security architect. Learn core strategies and implementation elements of security infrastructure design and management at an enterprise level...

14. Enterprise Security

Meet the growing demand for enterprise security engineers and learn the foundational skills of security engineering within an enterprise setting...

15. Computer Security and Systems Management

The Computer Security and Systems Management Specialization focuses on computing in an enterprise environment. Combining both theory and real world experience and architecture, the courses will prepare you to design and audit secure enterprise systems. The courses will cover practical use of major server operating systems in an enterprise environment and how to design and operate them securely...

16. Advanced System Security Design

This specialization is intended for intermediate level learners with basic programming skills and basic cybersecurity knowledge. Through this course learner will learn about advanced secure software techniques such as those for cloud computing, TOR, web-based cryptography, and geo-location/context based access control. With these techniques, learners will be better prepared to implement new security and privacy preserving data security features, to perform secure system design and...

17. ISO/IEC 27001:2022. Information Security Management System

4.5

(10,956)

Learn how your company can protect its information with an ISMS that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001...

18. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!

4.6

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

19. Cybersecurity for Business Leaders

Learn to leverage the capabilities of cybersecurity best practices to protect your organization and unlock next-level results...

20. Zero Trust Security

Companies around the world are facing constant and evolving cyber attacks, so it’s imperative that they find talent with the dynamic skills to address these pressing issues...

Top 10 most affordable universities for security systems specialists

The most affordable schools for security systems specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and usf sarasota-manatee.

If the best universities for security systems specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for security systems specialists.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for security systems specialists

The hardest universities for security systems specialists to get into are Boston University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for security systems specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for security systems specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

4. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

5. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

6. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

7. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

8. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

9. University of Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,300

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for security systems specialists

The easiest schools for security systems specialists to get into are Nyack College, notre dame college, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a security systems specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for security systems specialists.

1. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

2. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

6. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

7. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

8. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

9. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

Average security systems specialist salary by education level

Security systems specialists with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $91,876 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, security systems specialists earn a median annual income of $82,301 compared to $68,294 for security systems specialists with an Associate degree.

Security systems specialist education level	Security systems specialist salary
Master's Degree	$91,876
Bachelor's Degree	$82,301
Some College/ Associate Degree	$68,294

Security systems specialist education FAQs

What is the best college for Security Systems Specialists?

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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