The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Security Studies is a 120 credit program (beginning in Fall 2024) that is designed to give students the interdisciplinary knowledge, tools, and strategies to understand the complex nature of security and security challenges in the twenty-first century. This program addresses complexity head on by providing coursework in homeland security, research methods and analysis, information security, and a rigorous examination of the social, economic and cultural contexts of security in the United States and internationally. Students who are currently working in public administration, emergency services, law enforcement, and homeland security positions as well as those interested in these career paths will be well served by the B.S. program in Security Studies. 

Students completing a bachelor’s degree in Security Studies will have accomplished the following learning objectives:

• Students will be able to analyze security concerns from various disciplinary perspectives.
• Students will be able to explain the history and strategic approaches to national and global security.
• Students will be able to analyze the interrelationship between human and natural environments in the contexts of individual and national security.
• Students will be able to employ social science research methods and techniques related to the study of security in various forms.
• Students will be able to evaluate moral and ethical implications of policies intended to address security from social, political, economic, and environmental perspectives.
• Students will be able to evaluate strategies and resources employed to maintain security of information in digital environments.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Security Studies includes a set of required courses that all students must take, along with SUNY General Education and other academic requirements, in order to be eligible to receive a degree. The required courses for programs in Security Studies can be found on the “Program Details” tab. Students will work with a faculty mentor to develop a degree plan that matches their goals and meets all program requirements. Students should speak with their mentor to see if any credit earned through individualized Prior Learning Assessment (iPLA) or Professional Learning Evaluation (PLE) might fulfill these course requirements. Courses are offered online, through independent studies, or through a blended approach. 

For additional information about this program, please visit the B.S. in Security Studies web page.

Admission

For requirements and procedures for applying to the program, please see the information for admission to the university.

Contact

If you would like more information about the Security Studies program, please contact:

Cathryn Thurston, Ph.D.
cathryn.thurston@sunyempire.edu

Program Details

Students pursuing a B.S. program in Security Studies must complete the following courses:

The following courses are required:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PAFF 1005	Introduction to Security Studies	4
PAFF 2005	Introduction to Homeland Security	4
PAFF 3003	Security Implications of Global Climate Change	4
or EMGT 3030	Leadership & Management in Disaster Response
PAFF 4000	International Dimensions of Security	4
or PAFF 4005	Counterterrorism in a Changing World
SOSC 3025	Social Science Research Methods	4
PAFF 4132	Legal & Ethical Foundations of Public Service	4
or SOCI 4035	Privacy Security & Freedom: Social Concerns for the 21st Century
INFT 2020	Introduction to Digital Crime & Digital Terrorism	4
INFT 3020	Cyber Crime & Computer Forensics	4

Students must also take a minimum of three of the following elective courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CRJS 3020	Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis	4
SOCI 3045	Disaster & Society	4
SOCI 3065	Perspectives on Terrorism	4
POLI 3065	International Politics & Relations	4
PAFF 4000	International Dimensions of Security 1	4
or PAFF 4005	Counterterrorism in a Changing World
PAFF 4132	Legal & Ethical Foundations of Public Service 1	4
or SOCI 4035	Privacy Security & Freedom: Social Concerns for the 21st Century
PAFF 3003	Security Implications of Global Climate Change 1	4
or EMGT 3030	Leadership & Management in Disaster Response

¹

One or the other, if not taken as required.

* Note that some prior learning may substitute for some required courses.  Faculty review and approval is required before a substitution can be made.
** Students must also satisfy all other college academic requirements, which include the SUNY General Education requirements and working with a faculty mentor to meet additional program requirements.

The curriculum is designed to provide students with foundational courses on which to build pathways of courses specific to their interests and needs. The program design is flexible enough to provide students the opportunity to bring in college level learning obtained through work experience through our prior learning assessment process. Courses in the program are offered online, through independent studies, or through a blended approach. Students may blend different modalities and will work with a faculty mentor to develop a degree plan that matches with their goals.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to analyze security concerns from various disciplinary perspectives.
• Students will be able to explain the history and strategic approaches to national and global security.
• Students will be able to analyze the interrelationship between human and natural environments in the contexts of individual and national security.
• Students will be able to employ social science research methods and techniques related to the study of security in various forms.
• Students will be able to evaluate moral and ethical implications of policies intended to address security from social, political, economic, and environmental perspectives.
• Students will be able to evaluate strategies and resources employed to maintain security of information in digital environments.