Southwestern College Professional Studies

Is a Master of Science in Security Administration For Me?

The security field is one of the fastest growing in the nation, and demand is high for knowledgeable security administrators. Southwestern College’s master of science in security administration (MSSA) program is designed to prepare mid-to-upper level managers in the security industry to take increasing levels of responsibilities and leadership positions.

The program will help you learn problem solving, leadership, critical thinking, and application of theory-to-practice in addition to knowledge in security-related subject matter.

Southwestern College’s programs fit into your schedule, and help you make room for your future. The MSSA program is available completely online.

Required Courses

MSA 500 Contemporary Security Administration
MSA 505 Security Administration Business Strategies
MSA 510 Enterprise Risk Management
MSA 515 Physical Security Planning & Vulnerability Assessment
MSA 520 Administration of Information Security
MSA 560 Security Law
MSA 565 Organizational Security Investigations
MSA 570 Homeland Security Defense and Administration
MSA 575 Best Practices and Special Issues in Homeland Security
MSA 580 Terrorism: Perspectives and Consequence Mgmt
MSA 585 Emergency, Disaster, and Contingency Management
MSA 590 Security Portfolio

Course Descriptions

MSA 500 Contemporary Security Administration

This course provides leading-edge concepts for Chief Security Officers (CSO) as well as middle to upper-level security management professionals. The principal focus is emerging criminal and terrorist threats that pose serious challenges to professionals throughout the security industry. Core areas of security are also comprehensively covered as well as business management and leadership competencies.

MSA 505 Security Administration Business Strategies

The primary focus of this course is to direct learners through the entire continuum of management strategies aimed at achieving personal and professional success. Real world concepts and their application to asset protection are illustrated via situational case presentations. The learner is exposed to concepts of advocacy, continuous quality improvement strategies, and a plethora of helpful suggestions designed to deliver organizational results. Measurable metrics, business needs, effective communication, and how to receive the necessary resources for success are also examined. New risk assessment models and proven strategic planning concepts are discussed as well as the blueprint for business executives and security managers to determine where they are and where they need to be to drive their security program to maximize its contribution to their organization.

MSA 510 Enterprise Risk Management

Learners in this course will focus on all risks in which an organization may be exposed. A systematic approach to acquiring and analyzing the information necessary to support decision-makers in the protection of assets and the allocation of security resources is reviewed. The risk management process, asset identification, threat identification, threat assessments, vulnerability identification and assessment, risk management, and cost benefit analysis are also examined.

MSA 515 Physical Security Planning and Vulnerability Assessment

The focus of this course emphasizes real-world concepts, principles, and processes for building security and safety design including assessing needs and working with security consultants. Security design concepts, security evaluation and planning, building hardening, security technology, and biochemical and radiological protection are covered. Conducting vulnerability assessments of physical protection systems from the start of planning through final analysis, including senior management briefing, is examined.

MSA 520 Administration of Information Security

This course provides a management review of information security issues and a thorough treatment of the administration of information security. Topics such as planning for contingencies, policy and programs, models and practices, risk management, threats, protection mechanisms, personnel security, law and ethics, and project management are studied.
h3. MSA 560 Security Law

Learners in this course will review the legal rights available to security officers, corporations, partnerships, and individually owned businesses for the protection of their property from employee and customer theft. It also discusses the legal rights of and responsibilities of security personnel and merchants as they pertain to theft and lawful arrest. Negligence, intentional torts, agency, contracts, alarms, damages, authority of private citizens, probable cause, arrest, search and seizure, interrogation, use of force by the private citizen, deprivation of rights, and entrapment are also examined.

MSA 565 Organizational Security Investigations

The primary concentration for this course covers the essentials of private and public investigations with the comprehensive study of the investigative process, tools of investigations, and types of investigations. A thorough examination of fraud detection, employee theft, embezzlement, accounting improprieties, compliance investigations, internal controls and safeguards to prevent fraud, information access and control strategies, and legal issues in corporate investigations are also reviewed. Other covered areas include surveillance and undercover, violent crimes, property crimes, controlled substances and drug offenses, terrorist activities, computer crime, and private sector investigations.

MSA 570 Homeland Security Defense and Administration

This course provides a comprehensive overview of America’s homeland security system, including key federal, state, local, and private organizations. Policy issues, technologies, legislation, preparedness recommendations, and trends are analyzed. Threat assessments, critical infrastructure protection, weapons of mass destruction, cyber-terrorism, business preparedness, and emergency response and public protection are covered as well.
h3. MSA 575 Best Practices and Special Issues in Homeland Security

Learners in this course will examine the current ability of national, state, and local agencies to respond to terrorism. Lessons learned and best practices from past emergencies and terrorist events are reviewed to identify preparedness and mitigation methods. Individual and local government preparedness, response, and practices are covered.

MSA 580 Terrorism: Perspectives and Consequence Management

Learners in this course will thoroughly examine the complex issues surrounding terrorism via a discussion of theories, domestic and international threats of terrorism, motivations for terrorism, and a review of the various religious, ideological, nationalistic, and ethnic movements taking place around the world. Consequence management is studied with a review of the incident management system, federal response plan, weapons of mass destruction effects, mass casualty decontamination, crime scene operations, and technology and emergency response.

MSA 585 Emergency, Disaster, and Contingency Management

This course outlines the essential roles of corporate and municipal managers and demonstrates the importance of their relationships with federal, state, and local government agencies as well as public and private community sectors. The emergency response plan, hazards, personnel training, and hazard and risk reduction strategies are covered. Contingency planning to protect vital facilities and critical operations is discussed via an implementation strategy, guidelines for minimizing development costs, and proven plan development methodology.

MSA 590 Security Portfolio

All learners in the MS program will be required to submit a professional portfolio addressing the competencies and skills they have achieved as a result of their graduate studies in Security Administration. The purpose of the portfolio is two-fold: to serve as a professional tool for the learner and will prove valuable in helping the learner document achievements and knowledge gained through the completion of the program, and will further serve as an assessment tool to ensure the currency and relevancy of the curriculum. `Prerequisite: This course should be taken after completion of at least 30 hours in the program.`

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the MSSA program, candidates must submit the following:

Southwestern College Professional Studies Graduate Program Application form – Application forms are accepted on an ongoing basis. No application admission fee is charged.

Complete and sign the Graduate Program Application form and mail or fax it to:

Graduate Admissions Office Southwestern College
2040 South Rock Road
Wichita, KS 67207
FAX: 316.688.5218

Official transcripts of all prior college/university coursework - Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

Print a copy of the transcript request form and mail the request to the institution which awarded your bachelor’s degree.

Two confidential letters of recommendation – using the Graduate Recommendation Form (at least one from a current or former employer).

A one page Admissions Essay – submit your written statement electronically to mssa@sckans.edu or via mail or fax to 316.688.5218.
Resume-

All international learners must show evidence of their English language ability by providing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) report. A score of 550 (paper test) or 213 (computer-based test) on the TOEFL is considered the minimum acceptable for admission to the MSSA program.

Applicants who hold bachelor’s degrees from a U.S. institution or from an institution in another English-only speaking country will receive a waiver of the TOEFL. Applicants who are from native English speaking countries are not required to take the TOEFL.

In addition to the above, it is recommended that candidates have a working knowledge of word processing and presentation software.

A candidate’s file must be complete before an admissions decision may be made. It is the responsibility of each candidate to provide all of the information requested above. Candidates will receive a letter of admission to the program.

Meta

The security field is one of the fastest growing in the nation, and demand is high for knowledgeable security administrators. Southwestern College’s master of science in security administration program is designed to prepare mid-to-upper level managers in the security industry to take increasing levels of responsibilities and leadership positions.