Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Senior security specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a senior security specialist. Senior security specialists usually study criminal justice, business, or computer science. 65% of senior security specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 836 real senior security specialist resumes to see exactly what senior security specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for senior security specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online senior security specialist courses to help get the education required to be a senior security specialist.
There are certain senior security specialist certifications that you should consider. These senior security specialist certifications include Certified Information Systems Security Professional - Architecture (CISSP) and Industrial Security Professional Certification (ISP).
What education do you need to become a senior security specialist?
What degree do you need to be a senior security specialist?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Associate, 17%
- Master's, 11%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a senior security specialist?
- Criminal Justice, 28%
- Business, 25%
- Computer Science, 6%
- Other Majors, 37%
Most common colleges for senior security specialists
| Senior security specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 14.68% |
| Strayer University | 11.93% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 10.09% |
| Salem State University | 4.59% |
| Troy University | 4.59% |
Best majors for senior security specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 27.6% |
| 2 | Business | 25.0% |
| 3 | Computer Science | 5.7% |
| 4 | Computer Information Systems | 3.6% |
| 5 | Liberal Arts | 3.3% |
Best colleges for senior security specialists
The best colleges for senior security specialists are Boston University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A senior security 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 senior security 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 senior security 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 senior security specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Ethical Hacker
Meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals by gaining the offensive security skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems...
2. Security Engineer
Gain the highly sought-after skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems from security threats or attacks...
3. Security Awareness Training
The security of an organization is of the utmost importance and every member of the organization's staff plays a vital role in defending against cyber threats. One of the best ways to protect the organization is to institute a company-wide security-awareness training initiative. This course is a complete foundational security awareness training program that covers a wide array of topics for nearly every type of end-user and learner level. The content is designed to allow organizations to be...
4. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)
Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...
5. Information Security Fundamentals - Cyber Security Bootcamp
A Beginners Awareness Guide on Information Security & Cyber Security to Keep Online and Offline Devices Safe!...
6. 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...
7. Security Analyst
Meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals by gaining the skills to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems...
8. Information Systems Security for Professionals: CISSP
Making Next Gen Information Security Leaders...
9. Information Security Awareness: An Introduction for UK SMEs
Combating Security Threats and Cultivating Information Security Awareness...
10. 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...
11. Enterprise Security
Meet the growing demand for enterprise security engineers and learn the foundational skills of security engineering within an enterprise setting...
12. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)...
13. The Complete Cyber Security Course: Network Security!
Volume 2 : Network Security, Wi Fi Security, Wi Fi Hackers, Firewalls, Wireshark, Secure Networking. + Password Managers...
14. Cybersecurity for Business Leaders
Learn to leverage the capabilities of cybersecurity best practices to protect your organization and unlock next-level results...
15. 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...
16. ISO/IEC 27002:2022. Information security controls
Learn about the comprehensive set of information security controls proposed by ISO/IEC 27002:2022...
17. ISO/IEC 27005:2022. Information security risk management
Understand the framework proposed by ISO for managing information security risks in an organization...
18. Introduction to Corporate Information Security
This course explains why information security and its management are important for any modern organization...
19. Security Awareness Training, Internet Security for Employees
Basic security awareness guide on Internet security and privacy to help keep you, your home, and your employer safe...
20. ISACA CISM Certified Information Security Manager
One of the highest paid certifications! Become a Certified Information Security Manager!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for senior security specialists
The most affordable schools for senior security specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and usf sarasota-manatee.
If the best universities for senior security 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 senior security 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 senior security specialists
The hardest universities for senior security specialists to get into are Boston University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for senior security 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 senior security 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
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
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 senior security specialists
The easiest schools for senior security 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 senior security 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 senior security 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 senior security specialist salary by education level
| Senior security specialist education level | Senior security specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $119,835 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $107,348 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $89,083 |
Senior security specialist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
Search for senior security specialist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025