Airport Security Degree

An airport security specialist, or airport security officer, provides safety in airports through recognizing and preventing hazards to the passengers. Their duties are to monitor passengers through metal detectors, to x-ray their carry-on luggage, to physically inspect the luggage. Their tasks are not to let hazardous substances or items on board, which can cause damage to the passengers, or into the country, which can negatively affect social, economic life (e.g. drugs) or local ecology (foreign flora and fauna). Airport security officers are responsible for gathering of security intelligence.

They are also required to perform such duties as checking public areas for unattended items, dealing with passengers’ inquiries, undertaking actions if required, monitoring of closed-circuit television equipment, ensuring quick evacuation of the public in case of a safety threat, submitting reports in case of an emergency situation and others.

The job requires from person endurance, ability to work hard and concentrated for long hours. To get a job of an airport security officer a person must possess physical strength, mental stability, ability to pass drug tests. Some officers are required to have weapons and firearms proficiency. One more requirement for employees with security sphere is that they should be US citizens.

Most airport security officers are employees of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) or private security contractors. Employees with TSA enjoy various benefits, e.g. competitive wages, high pensions, quality health care, paid vacations.

What will be taught during the course of studies?

The job of an airport security officer is highly responsible and requires broad knowledge in many fields including aviation and criminal justice as well as outstanding skills of crisis management. All that can be acquired while studying for an airport security degree.

First of all students are taught the basics of homeland security, legal operations, investigative and interviewing techniques and others.

Undergraduates and graduates study following fields:

• Security management;
• Domestic and international terrorism;
• Aviation law and regulations;
• Security evaluation and prevention strategies;
• Aviation transportation security.

At the courses students learn how to:

• apply the acquired knowledge ant to handle emergency situations;
• conduct risk evaluation and work out emergency plans and strategic communications for crisis management;
• demonstrate deep knowledge of the US law system;
• show thorough knowledge of hazardous substances and items;
• operate the equipment used for performing security measures.

Where can I enroll for a training program in Airport Security?

It is highly recommended that an airport security officer should possess not just an airport security degree, but a broader criminal justice degree. Therefore usually airport security specialization is a part of a Criminal Justice with specialization in Homeland Security program.

A degree in the field can be obtained at following educational establishments:

Lewis University

Lewis University, located in the Midwest, offers a BS in Aviation security. Lewis University provides students with comprehensive education with curriculum of the two biggest departments of the university:

• Justice
• Law and Public Safety department
• Aviation and Transportation department.

Students obtain professional training in aviation, airport and air travel security, policies and procedures of prevention and protection.

The degree obtained at the University enables students to work for the major US establishments like Transportation Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security.

University of Phoenix

At the university’s College of Criminal Justice and Security students are able to obtain a BS degree in Organizational Security and Management. The program provides a theory- and application-based approach to the security management sphere. Undergraduates are taught methods and technologies in organizational security administration. The course of studies includes courses in homeland security and terrorism.

American InterContinental University

This university provides a BS in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Homeland Security & Crisis Management. The program allows its students to acquire necessary knowledge and develop skills needed for a career in homeland security and crisis management.