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SEC/321

Survey of Security Specializations

3 credits

Total credits

5 weeks

Course length

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Take this course on its own, or as part of a degree or certificate program.

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Please Note: Attendance and participation are mandatory in all University courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

Course level: Upper Division

This course identifies and contrasts the benefits of proprietary and contract security operations and introduces the student to a variety of security specializations. It also examines the purposes, objectives, procedures, risks, and types of organizations associated with the respective specializations.

Please Note: Attendance and participation are mandatory in all University courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

What you'll learn

Course skills and outcomes

  • Describe the origins and foundations of private security and how the need for private security has changed over the years.
  • Explain how private security collaborates with the community and with law enforcement, and differentiate among their respective roles.
  • List an overview of the challenges in the security field.
  • Differentiate among proprietary, contractual, and hybrid security programs.
  • Identify security management’s role and challenges in the administration of private security.

  • Describe how security manages risk and differentiate among the various risk tools used by security, including hazard vulnerability assessments and risk assessments.
  • Identify the tools and technologies used in the physical security makeup for various security specializations.
  • Compare the security functions in a variety of industries.
  • Identify indicators and types of workplace violence.
  • Distinguish between employer and employee responsibilities for preventing workplace violence.

  • Describe the investigations process and differentiate between private security and law enforcement investigations.
  • Explain surveillance, the skills needed to conduct surveillance effectively, and the laws governing both private security and law enforcement.
  • Define and distinguish between retail security and loss prevention.
  • Identify various criminal acts that cause retail losses and how retail theft has changed over the years.

  • Describe private security’s role in dealing with terrorism and how the Department of Homeland Security partners with the private sector.
  • Compare and contrast terrorism response in the U.S. with that in other countries.
  • Provide examples and discuss responses to recent local, state, and national disasters.
  • Identify and distinguish a business impact analysis, business continuity management, and continuity of operations.

  • Identify the 16 critical infrastructure sectors, including cyberspace, and security’s role in protecting each.
  • Describe the basic steps of a vulnerability assessment.
  • Explain the public-private partnerships with regard to disaster response.
  • Identify steps to evaluate the effectiveness of an organization’s Emergency Management Plan.

Why UOPX

Why take courses at University of Phoenix

Accreditation that matters

We’ve been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org) for more than 40 years.

Real-world instructors

Learn from instructors who bring an average of 25 years of working experience to the classroom.

Affordable and potentially reimbursable

Our tuition and fees are competitive and fixed. Also, check to see if your employer will cover you for this course.

Next Steps

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Transfer Credits

Credit Transfer

Need to transfer credits to another college or university?

Before you enroll in a course, check with your school of choice to make sure they will accept our transfer credits and to understand any requirements or limitations. Then you can complete your course, and request your official transcript be sent to your school. That’s it!

How to request your transcripts

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. Although our continuing teacher education courses are accepted by some state agencies in the United States toward teacher certifications and endorsements, this may not be the case in all states or foreign jurisdictions. If you plan to use courses for certification or endorsement, please check with your own state agency and your school district for applicability. Continuing teacher education courses are not eligible to apply to degree programs at University of Phoenix. These courses are not eligible for federal financial aid. Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.