ECU Online Bachelor of Science in Security Studies

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Learn more about the BS in Security Studies at ECU Online.

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120 credit hours; Just 24 transfer credits required *

*Transfer credits may reduce number of hours

$429 per credit hour, including technology fee for Fall 2026*

*$510 per credit hour for out-of-state students; tuition subject to change

Active-duty military service members are eligible to receive a waiver that brings the tuition balance down to $250/credit hour for select programs*

*Max benefit of $4,500 per year, availability is limited each term

Learn more about the BS in Security Studies at ECU Online.

Fill out the form below, and an admissions representative will reach out to you via email or phone with more information.

or call 252-376-8540

Great start!

Thank you for requesting information. One of our admissions representatives will be contacting you.

Apply Now

Ready to Finish Your Degree? Advance With ECU Online’s Bachelor of Science in Security Studies.

Security is a broad and critical field that’s essential to the successful operation of many industries, including:

Law Enforcement
Emergency Management
Local, State, and Federal Government
Military Service
Private Sector
Nonprofits

At ECU Online, we’re committed to helping you advance your career and your impact with our Bachelor of Science (BS) in Security Studies degree.

The program teaches the real-world complexities of the emergency management system to help you mitigate potential security risks and coordinate comprehensive solutions to manage incidents at international, federal, state, and local levels. You’ll graduate with a multifaceted understanding of global security challenges and how to address them, preparing you for a meaningful and impactful career as a security professional.

What You’ll Learn

The ECU Online: BS in Security Studies Flight Path Program is designed to give you a practical skill set that leads to immediate employability. During your time in the program, you’ll gain interdisciplinary knowledge through classes from departments such as:

Political science
Homeland and international security
Threats and policy responses
Environmental health and safety
Geography
History
Criminal justice and criminology
Religious studies

Is a Degree in Security Studies Worth It?

Earning a security studies degree is an immediate investment of your time and money, but it’s also a long-term investment for your future career. It can provide you with applicable knowledge and skills that prepare you for careers in different sectors, each of which is integral to local and global security and safety.

Many of these careers have competitive salaries and promising career growth. For example, political scientists, including policy analysts, had a median annual salary of $139,380 as of May 2024 and expect to see 3% growth between 2023 and 2033. Emergency management directors, another potential career outcome, had a median annual salary of $86,130 as of May 2024, with a 4% career growth projected through 2033.*

Our graduates have gone into roles such as:

Communications Director for Congressman David Rouzer
Crisis Operations Team Lead at Google
Election Specialist in Harnett County Government
Senior Consultant at Booze Allen Hamilton
Global Threat Intelligence Analyst at Raytheon

Career Outcomes With a Security Studies Degree

A BS in Security Studies can prepare you for roles across the security and emergency management spectrums. You’ll learn in-demand skills needed to pursue careers in the following sectors.*

Border and Homeland Security

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
National Security Agency (NSA)
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
State and local law enforcement
Secret Service

Intelligence and Analysis

U.S. military
Private sector intelligence roles (e.g. corporate security analyst)
Federal civil service agencies
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Department of State
Department of Defense (DoD)

International Security

U.S. military organizations
NATO and the United Nations
Regional security organizations
Department of State
Think tanks
Nonprofit organizations

Curriculum & Courses

Security Studies is a strong major that requires both hard and soft skills, which are reinforced in our curriculum. The BS degree requires 120 total credit hours, which includes 40 hours of general education courses, 42 hours of core courses, and 38 hours of minor and elective courses.

At least 50% of core courses and 25% of the degree must be completed at ECU Online. Second-degree students are waived from General Education and Minor or General Elective requirements.

Keep in mind that as a degree completion program, we accept transfer credits, which may significantly reduce your required hours to graduate. The required Security Studies courses include the following:

Core Security Studies Courses - 42 credit hours

SECS 1000 – Introduction to Security Studies
Basic concepts and principles of security planning and program implementation across multiple academic disciplines with application at local, state, and federal levels of government as well as private and non-profit sectors.

SECS 4000 – Senior Seminar in Security Studies
Practical application and exercises in security studies, to include threat-based scenarios, consequence management, and disaster assistance planning.

CRIM 1000 – Introduction to Criminal Justice
Law enforcement, courts, and correctional systems.

POLS 2020 – Introduction to International Relations
Basic concepts and principles of functioning of international systems. Includes war and peace, economics, diplomacy, arms control, and threats to peace.

POLS 3031 – Research Design for Political Science
Concepts and theories essential to research design, kinds of data, and measurement used to address political questions.

POLS 2090 – Writing for Political Science
Organizing the research process in political science. Writing a research paper; writing an essay on a political or policy subject for other audiences.

Choose 24 credit hours (from at least four different prefixes):

CRIM 3620 – Homeland Security
Examination of homeland security in the United States, including apparatus, preparedness, and role of criminal justice.

CRIM 4005 – Organized Crime
Comparison of organized criminal behavior around the world, including structural aspects, activities conducted, and criminal justice responses.

CRIM 4620 – Transnational and Global Crime
Study of transnational and global crime and crime prevention mechanisms.

GEOG 2300 – Environment and Society
Introduction to dynamic relationships between the environment and society including, but not limited to, population, markets, management, ethics, risks and hazards, political ecology, and social constructions of nature.

HIST 3260 – The United States and the Middle East, 1783 to the Present
History of American interests and involvement in the Middle East since 1783.

HIST 3350 – War and Society
Survey of interrelationship between society and warfare from dawn of civilization to present.

PLAN 1900 – Sustainable Cities
Overview of planning concepts applied to critical issues impacting urban environments at a variety of scales from local to global. Introduces the role of urban planning in managing and building sustainable urban environments.

POLS 3080 – Security and Weapons of Mass Destruction
Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear weapons, their potential use, and the challenges governments face at all levels as they prepare to counter these threats.

POLS 3144 – American Foreign Policy
Principles and policies which characterize America’s recent and contemporary foreign relations.

POLS 3155 – National Security Policy
Overview of processes, forces, and influences which determine contemporary national security policy in the United States. Examine contemporary issues, including transnational threats, multinational and coalition defense strategies, force modernization, recruitment and retention, and homeland security.

POLS 3180 – The U.S. Intelligence Community
Missions, roles, activities and policy impacts of the major agencies of the U.S. intelligence community and their relationships with other agencies.

Note: students may take all of these courses and count over 24 hours toward electives. Additionally, more options are planned for future semesters.

"I fully encourage anyone who might be considering distance education, to give East Carolina University serious consideration. Living at home and taking classes online meant that I had much more flexibility in my schedule and the ability to work full time without sacrificing my education. As a result, I was able to graduate on schedule, without any debt, and with a useful degree."

‐ Mariah James, ECU Online Graduate

Tuition and Financial Aid

$410 per credit hour plus fees for Fall 2026*

*$491 per credit hour plus fees for out-of-state students; tuition subject to change

Active-duty military tuition rate with waiver is $250 per credit hour plus applicable fees.

Availability is limited each term

120 CREDIT HOURS*

*Transfer credits may reduce number of hours.

ECU Online: Flight Path Programs tuition for in-state students is just $410 per credit hour plus fees. For out-of-state students, the tuition is $491 per credit hour plus fees. Active-duty military service members are eligible to receive a waiver that brings the tuition balance down to $250 per credit hour for select programs, with a maximum benefit of $4,500 per year.* With transfer credits and financial aid, your bachelor’s degree is within reach.

*Military tuition assistance does not cover books, technology fees, or other course-related fees.

Note: For Summer 2026, tuition is $398 per credit hour plus fees for in-state students and $477 per credit hour plus fees for out-of-state students.

Learn More

STRONG EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Recent graduates have gone into roles within government organizations such as the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and private organizations like Raytheon, Google, and Oracle.

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER

The program will deepen your understanding of the current intelligence and emergency management landscape, empowering you to advance more quickly.

TRANSFER-FRIENDLY

You can transfer credits from coursework you’ve already completed and fast-track your path to a BS—with just 42 core credits required for our online security studies degree.

BEYOND ACADEMICS

Our focus on individualized attention and student support ensures that you leave not only with academic proficiency but also the tools for advancement.

TOP RANKED

ECU was ranked in the top 10 of America’s Top Online Colleges 2023 by Newsweek, meaning that you’ll graduate with a degree respected by employers nationwide.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

ECU is more than a university—it’s a community. Even as an online student, you’ll benefit from a powerful network of peers and faculty who truly care about your success.

The next class start date is approaching. Don’t wait to apply!

Student-Centric Online Learning Experience

We understand that on-campus learning doesn’t work for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice a robust student experience. That’s why our programs are immersive, accessible, and tailored for those with determination.

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Admissions

Online undergraduate students are required to have a minimum of 24 hours of transferable credits for admission. Students are evaluated under the transfer applicant criteria below:

A minimum of 24 hours of transferable college-level coursework (complete or in progress).
- Only courses with a grade of “C-” or higher from regionally accredited institutions are eligible to transfer and can be used to gain admission.
- Students under the age of 21 will also be expected to meet NC High School Minimum Course Requirements and are required to submit a final high school transcript.
A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA for all college-level coursework attempted.

Undergraduate Students Application Materials

A completed online application .
All official transcripts from each college, technical institute, or university attended, if applicable. Send transcripts to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Mail Stop 517
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858-435

We also accept electronic transcripts from most transcript services. Please request to have them sent directly to transfer@ecu.edu .

Residency Determination

The Residency Determination Service (RDS) has been established by the North Carolina State Legislature as the centralized service for determining residency for students. All students must visit ncresidency.org to verify their residency.

If you’ve already completed the residency verification process and obtained your Residency Certification Number (RCN), you can enter your RCN when filling out our application. If you do not already have your RCN, you may submit your application and then come back and enter your RCN once you have it.

For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar’s Residency page , or contact RDS by phone at 1-844-319-3640 or by email at rdsinfo@ncresidency.org .

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

How many credits are generally required to complete an ECU Online: Flight Path Program?

For most programs, 120 total credit hours are required to graduate. This includes transfer credits and credits you earn at ECU.

Can I transfer credits from other institutions to an online Flight Path Program?

Yes. 24 transferable credits are required to apply. At least 25% of the degree must be completed at ECU and at least 50% of the major must be completed at ECU.

Are ECU Online: Flight Path Programs accredited?

Yes. East Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Learn more about accreditation .

What financial aid resources are available for students enrolled in ECU Online: Flight Path Programs?

ECU online program tuition for in-state students starts at just $410 per credit hour plus fees. For out-of-state students, the tuition starts at $491 per credit hour plus fees. Active-duty military service members are eligible to receive a waiver that brings the tuition balance down to $250/credit hour for select programs, with a maximum benefit of $4,500 per year. Military tuition assistance does not cover books, technology fees, or other course-related fees. The military rate of $250 per credit hour is only applicable to the BS in Criminal Justice and BS in Security Studies programs. Please note that tuition is subject to change. Learn more about financial aid opportunities .

Note: For Summer 2026, tuition is $398 per credit hour plus fees for in-state students and $477 per credit hour plus fees for out-of-state students.

About ECU Online: Flight Path Programs

ECU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) and was the first university in North Carolina to offer online degrees. We’ve continued to enhance the online experience ever since. As an established institution in North Carolina, we pride ourselves on offering a student-first, community-centric experience that empowers graduates to complete their online degrees from a reputable institution that employers recognize.

*General labor market and salary data are sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment. ECU does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Additional training and experience may be necessary for leadership positions.