Career Road Map for Security Studies Degree Graduates

Written by: East Carolina University® • May 16, 2025

Alt Text Security Studies Graduates Looking at a Tablet.

Security studies programs at East Carolina University cover a wide range of topics and careers. With courses in international relations, foreign policy, national and international security, our program prepares students to work in government, the private sector, or nonprofit organizations. Students pursuing certifications and networking with other professionals can find rewarding positions and fulfilling careers.

To learn more, check out the infographic below, created by the online Bachelor of Science in Security Studies from East Carolina University®.

What Is a Security Studies Degree?

Security studies combines courses in political science, history, geography, and criminal justice to focus on analyzing complex security problems and understanding the roots of today’s security practices and policies.

Topics

Security studies covers a wide variety of topics, such as political science, national security, international security, foreign policy, counter-terrorism, and WMDs. Students learn how to understand and approach domestic and international threats to U.S. security. These threats may be man-made or technogenic, i.e. natural disasters or conflicts created by internal, rival governments, or nonstate actors

Sample Courses

Courses in security studies include the following:

Introduction to Security Studies

Students gain a foundation in the basics of security planning and program implementation at all levels of government as well as in the nonprofit and private sectors.

Research Design for Political Science

Students learn the concepts and theories essential to understanding data and research and how they apply to political systems.

Pestilence, Politics, and Conquest

Students analyze how infectious diseases impact global events—past, present, and future.

Climate Change: Science and Society

Students gain an understanding of climate change, focusing on the science, social science debates, human adaptation, mitigation, and international policy.

War and Society

Students explore a comprehensive history of war and politics in human civilizations.

What to Do and Where to Work

Graduates with a degree in security studies have a range of career options to choose from. If a student has a specific path in mind, they can tailor their degree with elective courses that prepare them for their desired career.

What to Do

Security studies graduates can pursue a career in any of a number of areas, including the following:

National/International Security

National and international security professionals gather, analyze, and present the products of interactions between various international actors to the highest levels of the U.S. government. They also participate in the decision-making processes leading to foreign policy design and implementation.

Intelligence

Intelligence professionals assess foreign economic, trade, and financial interests that affect U.S. security interests. They also support U.S. policymakers by producing and delivering written and oral assessments of foreign leaders and key decision-makers. Additionally, they provide unique insights on foreign military forces, their structure, capabilities, doctrine, weapons systems, plans, and tactics, as well as on global strategic military trends.

Information Security

Information security professionals use, maintain, and monitor firewalls, encryption programs, and network systems. They stay up to date on information technology trends, develop security standards, and recommend security enhancements to senior staff.

Military

In the military, options are available for both enlisted personnel and officers, including science, protective services, and technical roles. These roles allow individuals to learn skills that can be transferred to civilian jobs in the future.

Where to Work

Potential work environments for security studies graduates include the following:

Federal Government

Graduates of a security studies program may work in a federal government agency, such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They may work in a federal government department like the Department of State or the Department of Defense (DoD), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

Other Organizations

Graduates may work in an international agency, such as NATO or the United Nations, or join the U.S. military. They may pursue a career working in a private sector security company, policy think tank, or nonprofit organization. On the local level, graduates may work in a state or local law enforcement agency.

Tips for Success

From obtaining relevant certifications to pursuing professional growth, there are many avenues that can lead to career success for security studies graduates.

Hone Relevant Skills

Depending on their chosen area of focus, professionals should target and hone the right skills for success. This may mean developing strong leadership skills or learning the technical skills needed for cybersecurity roles.

Build a Network and Prioritize Ongoing Education

Networking with security professionals, getting hands-on experience in incident response and risk management, and committing to ongoing professional development can boost one’s chances of getting a good job in the right field.

Consider Certification

Obtaining a relevant certification may help security professionals build industry-specific competencies. For example, Google offers many certificates in cybersecurity, technology, and management. Specific certification exams should be selected based on one’s career goals.

Pursue a Secure Career

Security studies students can pursue any of a number of rewarding career paths after graduation, all of which require dedication and hard work. By taking courses that provide the experience and knowledge they need for their desired career, students can use their degree as a steppingstone to a successful, fulfilling career.

Sources

East Carolina University, Online Bachelor of Science in Security Studies

East Carolina University, Security Studies Undergraduate Course Descriptions

ReadyNEZ, “Navigating IT Security Exams: Tips and Strategies for Success”

Transportation Security Administration, Transportation Security Officer

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Emergency Management Directors

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Military Careers

USAJobs, Mission Support Specialist