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University of Phoenix Responds to Security Industry Training Needs with New Degree Programs

By University of Phoenix

New security management degrees designed to address complexities of business risk and crime prevention

PHOENIX, April 30, 2015 – 

The U.S. security industry is a $410 billion annual market, with millions of jobs that span nearly every sector of the global economy[1], according to data from ASIS International. Demand and interest in this field are aligned as 42 percent of working adults have some level of interest in security-related careers or have worked in security, law enforcement or other criminal justice-related fields.[2] University of Phoenix® College of Security and Criminal Justice today introduced two new degree programs in security management designed to meet the demands of this expanding industry by providing aspiring professionals with advanced training. To emphasize the importance of the security industry alignment, the College also changed its name.

“The increasing complexity in the security industry has resulted in expanding demands for educated professionals,” said Spider Marks, executive dean of University of Phoenix College of Security and Criminal Justice. “University of Phoenix is working closely with industry leaders to ensure our students are trained to meet the demands and challenges of the modern security industry. The curriculum is aligned with industry standards and is designed to equip job seekers with the education needed to pursue a position in the security field. Changing our name sends a strong message to the industry that we’re committed to the security space.”

The Associate of Arts in Security Management will prepare students to work in loss prevention and asset protection, specifically in the retail industry. Potential jobs include surveillance, investigation, loss prevention and asset protection. Nationally, organized retail crime alone costs the industry $30 billion annually[1], making these positions critical components to supporting and protecting the U.S. economy.

The Bachelor of Science in Security Management will train students in risk mitigation and crisis management applicable across multiple industries, including energy, manufacturing, hospitality and gaming. This degree will prepare students for jobs in risk assessment, risk mitigation, crisis management and continuity planning.

Each degree program has an embedded certificate – Security Management Asset Protection/Loss Prevention Certificate in the Associates program and Critical Incident Response Certificate in the Bachelors program to help aspiring professionals specialize in key areas that matter to employers.

[1] https://nrf.com/sites/default/files/NRF%202014%20ORC%20report%20REV2.pdf

[1] https://www.asisonline.org/Documents/
ASIS%20IOFM%20Executive%20Summary%208.23.13.%20final.pdf

[2] https://www.phoenix.edu/media-center/press-release.html

For more information about each of these programs, including on-time completion rates, the median debt incurred by students who completed the program and other important information, please visit phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment.

For more information about all University of Phoenix programs in security, visit www.phoenix.edu/security.

While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

About the College of Security and Criminal Justice
University of Phoenix® College of Security and Criminal Justice continues the University’s original mission when it began serving working professionals such as police officers more than 30 years ago. The College offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that provide the skills needed to develop the next generation of leaders in the security and criminal justice fields. Students are supported by faculty members who are experts and leaders in their fields, and can connect with students and professionals through online and campus networking opportunities. The College of Security and Criminal Justice’s Faculty Advisory Council reviews trends and helps keep curriculum on pace with national and international market demands. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu/cjs.

About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of  Apollo Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.