LINTHICUM, Md. – The Education Division, within the Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE), builds future security leaders as the premier provider of online higher education for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. government security community.
As part of the Security Training (ST) Directorate, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), the Education Program offers advanced and graduate-level courses to empower government and military personnel to become influential leaders in the security field. The program, centered on the “Leading the Way by Investing in Your Future” motto, offers asynchronous, virtual instructor-led courses.
The 17 courses offered center around skills such as strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and effective thinking.
“The 16-week courses provide an understanding of national security and broadens knowledge and reasoning. Part of being a leader is being able to effectively guide and encourage other people,” said Dr. Monica Minor-Exum, CDSE Education Division chief. “Having a clear understanding of the purpose and the why behind it is helping to be a Gatekeeper and make the commitment to secure our Nation.”
The courses are graduate-level intensity, and each course is worth three credit hours. The American Council on Education (ACE) has evaluated each course for credit recommendations, enabling students to transfer credits earned to the institution of the individuals choosing.
In addition to earning 160 Professional Development Units (PDUs) for completing a course, learners are able to use the courses toward maintenance of their
Security Professional Education Development (SPēD) certification upon completion.
Course topics cover a wide range of critical areas, including risk management, security generalist, security operations, security leadership, security management, and systems and operations. Learning is facilitated through reading materials, discussion forums, and assignments, such as research papers, case studies, practical exercises, and exams.
The courses are continually evaluated and updated to ensure the course information aligns with the evolving security landscape. “We ensure students have relevant information, and our goal is for students to take the real-life expertise and information from the course and apply and incorporate it within their profession,” said Dr. Minor-Exum.
Ready to take the next step in your security career? Registration opens June 18, 2025, for the fall semester, which will run from August 18 to December 14, 2025. Interested applicants can register via the STEPP system.
Changes to Education Course Length. The Education Division is initiating a project to update post-baccalaureate course structures from 16 weeks to 12 weeks. This initiative is driven by survey feedback indicating a desire for increased flexibility and accelerated learning. The potential benefits of this change include improved student outcomes and engagement, institutional efficiency and cost savings, alignment with industry standards and best practices, and opportunities for curriculum revision and improvement.