In pursuit of the war on terror both at home and abroad, lack of long-term planning may be the most dangerous threat of all.  New Jersey City University (NJCU) has demonstrated a long history of contemporary educational offerings. It is the only institution of higher education in the State of New Jersey offering a bachelor’s degree in Security, and did so long before the tragedy of 9/11.  In considering the needs of current and future professionals in the field of Security, NJCU has initiated a strategy emphasizing prevention over response. It is time to create a common defense: a resilient generation of security professionals prepared to cope with a multitude of potential crises and scenarios. One vehicle of change is the development of rigorous, comprehensive academic programs incorporating intellectual debate, inclusion of diverse backgrounds, experience and views, and the development and demonstration of critical, practitioner-based competencies.

The degree programs are designed for practicing security leaders, as well as for those students who seek careers in this field.  All course work is also offered at our satellite program in Wall, NJ through the NJ Coastal Communiversity.  Many courses are also offered on-line.

Program Requirements
 
This program requires 36 credits and allows students to specialize in one of three distinct areas:
 
National Security: Develop the ability to analyze the global complexities and implications of National Security policy, procedures, and operations with courses such as "Counterintelligence" and "Contemporary Counterterrorism"
 
Corporate Security: Develop the ability to analyze and synthesize organizational continuity, emergency response and risk management policy and procedures with courses such as "critical incident command and response"
 
Information Assurance/Cyber Security: Develop the ability to analyze and  apply principles of information assurance/cyber security with courses such as "security and privacy of  information and information systems," and  "information security strategy and policy development" 

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Science in Professional Security Studies requires that the student meet all the requirements of the Graduate Studies office, including taking the GRE exam.

Thesis Option
As practical fulfillment of a master's degree, the student has the option of completing a thesis. This option requires 30 credits of course work, plus an additional 6 credits of thesis supervision and the production of a master's thesis of publishable quality.

Project Option
As practical fulfillment of a master's degree, the student has the option of completing a culminating project.   This option requires 30 credits of course work, plus an additional 6 credits of project supervision.  

Comprehensive Examination
As practical fulfillment of a master's degree, the student has the option of completing the comprehensive examination. This option requires 36 credits of course work.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PROFESSIONAL SECURITY STUDIES
COURSE OF STUDY
a.  Five core required courses (15 credits)

Code	Title	Credits
SECU 600	National Security	3
SECU 605	Corporate Security	3
SECU 610	Cyber Security	3
SECU 615	Research Methods I	3
SECU 620	Research Methods II	3
b. Students must take nine credits of electives within one of the following specializations.
National Security: SECU 625 Counterintelligence 3 SECU 630 Domestic Terrorism and Extremist Groups 3 SECU 635 Contemporary Counterterrorism 3   Corporate Security: SECU 640 Critical Incident Command and Response 3 SECU 645 Corporate Threat Definition and Vulnerability Analysis 3 SECU 650 Organizational Crisis Management (Pre-requisite: SECU 640) 3       Cyber Security: SECU 655 Topics in Computer Security 3 SECU 660 Security and Privacy of Information & Information Systems 3 SECU 665 Information Security Strategy and Policy Development 3
c. Students must elect one of the following Options (12 credits) Masters Thesis (plus 6 additional elective Credits)
SECU 670	Thesis I	3
SECU 675	Thesis II (Pre-requisite: SECU 670)	3
SECU	Two graduate-level course with a related focus approved by the student’s faculty advisor	6
	OR
Specialized Field Project (plus 6 additional elective Credits)
SECU 680	Specialized Field Project	6
SECU	Two graduate-level course with a related focus approved by the student’s faculty advisor	6
	OR
Final Comprehensive Exam (plus 12 additional elective Credits)
SECU 685	Comprehensive Examination	0
SECU	Four graduate-level course with a related focus approved by the student’s faculty advisor	12