Becoming a Private Investigator: How to become a Private Investigator
Though there is no specific career path defined for private investigators, a college degree in a criminal justice-related field is recommended. If you want to be self-employed, you should also have some previous work experience in law enforcement or criminal justice so that your clients will be assured that you know how to take on your duties. If you work for a firm, a four-year degree, background check, professional experience and even a physical evaluation may be needed.
Top Schools Offering Private Investigator Degree Programs:
The links below will allow you to request free enrollment information directly from top national schools that offer a Private Investigator degree program:
Degree Requirements to become a Private Investigator:
Private investigators often work in specialized areas, so picking a degree program that matches your specific interests would be beneficial. Possible subject areas include cybersecurity, cyberterrorism, corrections, juvenile justice, criminal psychology, social psychology, finance and others. These courses and programs would prepare you to work with advanced technological systems, understand how hackers and online scammers operate, understand the basics of fraud and money laundering, and get into the mind of a criminal.
Duties of a Private Investigator: What are the duties / traits of a successful private investigator?
Private investigators will need to conduct surveillance, interview lots of witnesses, use technology and make sure that they are always abiding by privacy laws and other Constitutional rights. They may work with other agencies or police departments on cases involving kidnapping and fraud, or they may be employed to catch a cheating spouse or an employee suspected of unethical behavior. Private investigators need to have excellent critical thinking skills and communication skills so that they can make logical deductions and get information from witnesses, lawyers and clients.
Private Investigator Salary: How much does a private investigator make?
The salary of a private investigator relies on the number of clients he or she is able to recruit. The average salary range is between $19,000 and $38,000.