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Affordable Private/Criminal Detective Degree & Schools Online

Private and Criminal Detectives uses various investigative techniques that include searches, background checks, surveillance and interviews. These techniques gather and verify evidence in cases such as insurance and fraud claims, civil liability, child custody cases, and marital infidelity and marital property disputes.

Most private/criminal detectives have had previous experience in law enforcement, the military, private security or investigative and intelligence gathering positions in the government. These practical experiences may prove to be vital in this thrilling, yet dangerous, industry for potential dangers or confrontations that may arise when working a case. Most choose to specialize and work as legal investigators, copyright infringement investigators, corporate investigators, financial investigators, store and retail detectives, tracing and (most in demand) to undertake and investigate claims made by spouses in marital infidelity cases, marital property disputes and child custody cases. Private/Criminal Detectives are required to have good analytical and communicative skills, as well as being assertive and persistent.

Requirements

Most states require private/criminal detectives to be certified. Private/Criminal Detectives who specialize in criminal and negligence defense cases are accredited the title of Certified Legal Investigators by the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI). Private/Criminal Detectives who work as public accountants are required to be certified as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).

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Academic Requirements

The academic requirements for Private/Criminal Detectives may vary. Most are required to have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or other related areas such as Paralegal Studies or Forensic Science. Private/criminal detectives who specialize in government auditing or computer forensics work are required to have obtained a previous degree in Criminal Law or Business Administration (MBA).

Online Private/Criminal Detective Programs

Online Private/Criminal Detective Certificate programs are designed to prepare aspiring students for the various private/criminal detective jobs that are available in this thriving industry. Most programs take at least 18 months to complete, depending on the course study. Course work may include:

Surveillance Equipment Basics
Computer Technology/Investigation
Intelligence Gathering Procedures
Law Requirements and Procedures

Students will acquire the necessary training by learning skills like conducting investigations and interviews, techniques involved in verifying information, how to conduct background searches of individuals or companies and the use of surveillance equipment as well as the ability to pay attention to detail.

Career Opportunities for Private/Criminal Detectives

Private/Criminal Detectives may work in a variety of specialty areas. In addition to working for law firms as legal investigators, private/criminal detectives may specialize and practice in Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM), corporate matters, surveillance, tracing, computer forensics work, anti-piracy or a private bodyguard for celebrities.

Salary Information for Private/Criminal Detectives

The average salary for a private/criminal detective may vary depending on area of specialty, experience, industry, location and bonuses. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reports the average earnings may range as low as $37,000 with the middle range earning around $60,000 to the highest paid earning between $77,000 to $80,000 per year.

Leading Schools for Private/Criminal Detective Studies