Sherlock Holmes, a fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is perhaps the most legendary private investigator. Since the 1940′s private detectives and investigators have been popping in and out of fiction works to solve murders and uncover mysteries. Today, many professionals with a criminal justice degree, or a background in any number of professions, are choosing to enter the modern world of private investigating.
What are Private Detectives and Investigators?
Private detectives and investigators are professionals hired to do research and investigation in order to determine facts in a variety of situations. A professional who has earned a degree in criminal justice and chooses to specialize in detective and investigative work may solve identity theft cases, perform background checks, search for missing persons, investigate insurance claims and fraud, and possibly even verify infidelity. Investigative jobs with a criminal justice degree often involve searching for information using telephone calls, computer searches, surveillance techniques, and interviewing. Detectives and investigators typically work with attorneys, businesses, and the public in general.
Required Education to be a Private Detective or Investigator
There is no particular educational path to becoming a private detective or investigator. However, a degree in criminal justice is quite common according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Professionals pursuing jobs with a criminal justice degree directly out of college frequently enter the field with either an associate’s degree in criminal justice or a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or police science. The majority of states also require that a variety of specific standards must be met in order to receive licensure to practice within the state.
Many students choose to earn a criminal justice degree online in order to maintain work and possibly family responsibilities. Kennedy-Western University is an example of an online college for a criminal justice degree that has been specifically tailored to accommodate mid-career professionals. Students interested in attending an online college for a criminal justice degree may contact Kennedy-Western University or visit the College-Pages.com resource site for an extensive list of available programs.
Qualities Essential for Success as a Private Detective or Investigator
Jobs with a criminal justice degree in investigating require resourcefulness, endurance, and assertiveness. Private detectives and investigators must have excellent interviewing and interrogation skills. Professionals with a degree in criminal justice who choose to practice in this field must also be able to present facts in a convincing manner to a jury. Finally, a private detective or investigator must be able to mentally process information easily and quickly.
Job Outlook for Private Detectives and Investigators
Professionals with a degree in criminal justice who enter the investigative field can expect to see an 18 – 26% increase in job availability through the year 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, competition for available jobs may be high because of the large amount of professionals that are qualified for and attracted to the field. The majority of vacancies are expected to be in entry-level positions with detective agencies or stores who hire detectives for loss prevention. Professionals may also use their degree in criminal justice to go into private practice as a private detective or investigator. As of 2004, 1 in 4 detectives and investigators were self-employed.
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Tags: criminal justice
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