FAQs About Security Professional Education

What is the difference between Security Education and Security Training?

The objective of education is usually to gain knowledge about principles, concepts, and facts and to develop analytic and problem solving skills. The facts, concepts and cognitive skills developed through education can later be used by the learner in a variety of settings.

Training is usually concerned with gaining a skill or set of skills that is specific to a particular job. The effectiveness of training can be measured quite directly by measuring the learner's performance of particular job-related tasks after receiving the training and comparing it to his or her performance of those tasks prior to receiving the training.

What Security Professional Education courses are offered by CDSE?

Refer to this page.

Can I earn credit towards a college degree by taking CDSE courses?

CDSE Security Professional Education courses have been designed and developed to be comparable to college and graduate level courses. Some of these courses have not yet been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) for college credit equivalency recommendations. The courses listed in the course ACE National Guide have been evaluated by ACE as indicated.

CDSE staff will assist students who attempt to transfer CDSE credits by contacting and providing information about these courses to the college or university.

Is the CDSE Education Division new?

Security Professional Education courses were first offered by CDSE in 2012. Seven semester-long courses are presently open for enrollment. CDSE is still in the process of developing courses in the Security Professional Education curriculum which will eventually include approximately fifteen courses.

Does CDSE offer a Master's Degree in DoD Security?

CDSE does not currently have the authority to confer a degree.

Is CDSE an accredited institution?

CDSE is currently accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE), a national accrediting authority recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Why should I take Security Professional Education courses?

These intellectually stimulating courses will help to prepare you to be a leader in the DoD security community. These courses can be used to meet your requirement for professional development units (PDUs) to maintain Security Fundamentals Professional Certification. The courses also help to prepare you for other SPeD professional certifications.

Can I receive Professional Development Units (PDUs) toward maintenance of my SPeD Professional Certification by completing CDSE Security Professional Education courses?

Yes. CDSE Security Professional Education courses can be counted as PDUs in the SPeD Certification Program.

Will Security Professional Education courses prepare me for SPeD Certification?

CDSE Security Professional Education courses are designed to prepare leaders for DoD security in the 21st century. As such, these courses may be included in your individual development plan to prepare you for SPeD Asset Protection Professional Certification, Security Program Integration Professional Certification, and Security Enterprise Professional Certification.

Are there prerequisites to CDSE Security Professional Education courses?

Yes, some courses have additional prerequisites which are listed in the course descriptions. SPeD Security Fundamentals Professional Certification is recommended but is not required for most of these courses.

Who may take CDSE Security Professionals Education courses?

These courses are available to U.S. military members and DoD employees.

What is the cost for taking Security Professional Education courses?

There is no charge for CDSE courses. Some courses require purchase of textbooks. Some courses require students to travel to Linthicum, MD for one or two weeks. These courses also require a significant commitment of time for students to complete assignments.

Are courses available online?

Courses are delivered using an online collaborative learning environment, making them available to U.S. military members and government employees worldwide. Some courses also include opportunities for mid-career security professionals to study and learn together in a classroom setting for part of the semester.

Do I need to travel to attend a Security Professional Education course?

Most of these courses are delivered entirely through an online collaborative learning environment. No travel is required to complete those courses. Some courses also include one or two weeks in a classroom in Linthicum, MD.