Criminal Investigation Degrees

Advantages to Earning A Criminal Investigation Degree

Earning a criminal investigation degree provides individuals with the knowledge necessary to build future career success. Criminal investigation degrees provide students with with the skills to help determine facts in a case. Criminal investigators assist clients by uncovering and analyzing information regarding legal, financial or personal matters. Criminal investigation degrees train professionals to protect corporations and high profile individuals, perform background checks, verify employment, assist criminal or civil liability cases, investigate insurance claims and fraud cases, assist in missing persons cases, and help with child custody and protection cases.

Many colleges and universities offer some of the most innovative curricula for students interested in a criminal investigation degree. Some colleges and universities provide online instruction to meet the demands of students with job or family responsibilities which on campus class attendance difficult. Most online criminal investigation degree programs provide students with the opportunity to advance educational goals from virtually any location with courses similar to traditional brick and mortar classes. Online courses consist of groups of 25 students with one on one interactions with professors and other classmates via internet chats. Online degree programs generally offer the same course materials, instruction, and information as their on campus counterparts with the added benefit of 24 hour access to materials and flexibility in scheduling.

What Students Learn within An Online Criminal Investigation Degree Program

Students enrolled within an online criminal investigation degree program acquire an educational background necessary for work within public and private law enforcement and justice systems. All criminal investigation degree programs provide students with the knowledge necessary to use computers during investigations, increase oral and written communication skills, preserve evidence, improve interrogation techniques, and increase self defense techniques. Courses at an associate degree level include core courses in basic math and English with specialize courses the discipline of criminal investigation. Courses like: introduction to criminal justice, applied ethics, introduction to computer forensics, psychology, firearms use and safety,arrest protocols, the American legal system, and defense strategies provide students with the knowledge necessary for entry level employment or to advance to higher degree programs.

Courses at a bachelor degree level include core courses in psychology, English, and math, and specialized courses regarding the capture and detainment of suspects, the ethical treatment of suspects, and investigations protocol in relation to the discipline of criminal investigation. Specialized courses at a bachelor degree level include: introduction to security studies, introduction to criminology, legal processes with criminal law, introduction to policing, crime analysis, contemporary issues in policing, principled policing, criminal and forensic psychology, principles of investigation, issues in criminal investigation forensic science, issues in criminal investigation interviewing, advanced crime analysis, comparative policing, and principled policing.

Graduates from a bachelor degree program in criminal investigation may advance to employment or pursue a graduate degree. Graduate level courses withing the field of criminal investigation include: criminology, victimology, youth crime problems, white collar crime, terrorism, crime and punishment: a conceptual and ethical inquiry, analytical methods, research methods, forensic behavior analysis, special topics in criminal justice: cybercrime, and criminal justice administration. Graduates from a master degree program are generally qualified as experts in the field of criminal investigation. Graduates who choose to advance to doctoral degrees in the discipline of criminal justice with a specialization in criminal investigation. Graduates from a doctoral degree program often work within research facilities or colleges and universities as instructors.

Prospective Jobs For Graduates With Criminal Investigation Degrees

Graduates with criminal investigation degrees are predicted to find plenty of employment opportunities within public and private sectors of law enforcement and the justice system. Criminal investigation degree graduates often find employment within private investigation, personal security, public law enforcement, correctional facilities, federal agencies and other units. Many criminal investigation degree graduates specialize their degree in computer forensics, criminal justice, and other related fields to advance educational and career goals. Graduates who obtain an associate degree in criminal investigation often begin their careers under the supervision of more experienced criminal investigators within police departments, correctional facilities, and members of corporate or personal security teams.

Many graduates with associates degrees in criminal investigation work as entry level private investigators and work their way up to positions with greater responsibilities. Graduates who obtain a bachelor degree in criminal investigation often work as part of personal security teams, as private investigators, or as investigators within public law enforcement, corrections facilities, or federal agencies. Graduates who obtain a master’s degree in criminal investigation often work as senior level investigators upon gaining related work experience and supervise entry level investigators. Graduates with master’s degrees are often considered experts in the field. Graduates who obtain a doctoral degree in criminal justice with specialization in criminal investigation often work as instructors within colleges and universities or as researchers in facilities.

Salary For Graduates With Criminal Investigation Degrees

Graduates who complete a criminal investigation degree program will have earnings based upon geographic location, organization of employment, related work experience/s, and area/s of specialty. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects strong job growth in the field of criminal investigating and law enforcement. Factors like an expanding population, advancing technology, increasing litigation, and rising security issues are predicted to contribute to the demand for qualified professionals working within the field of criminal investigation. Employment opportunities in the field of criminal investigation will be competitive and individuals who expand their skills through education, work related experiences in the form of internships or on the job training are generally preferred over candidates with lesser education and training. Graduates who attain entry level employment upon earning an associate’s degree generally have salaries ranging from $35,000 to $45,000 annually. Graduates with advanced degrees typically earn salaries ranging from $45,930 to $81,490 annually.

Career Outlook and Advancement Opportunities for Graduates With Criminal Investigation Degrees

Graduates with criminal investigation degrees are anticipated to have excellent career opportunities due to the increasing demand for qualified professions in the field. As the demand for criminal investigators increases in due to security concerns in relation to increases in the incidence of identity theft, litigation, background checks, and illegal downloads combined with the need to protect and secure financial activities, confidential information, and property, employment in the field of criminal investigation will rise significantly. Graduates who complete criminal investigation degree programs may build lucrative and long lasting careers in public and private sectors of law enforcement and the justice system. Many graduates may improve their skills by specializing or continuing their education to work investigations with greater responsibilities and higher salaries. Some graduates receive certification offered through the National Association of Legal Investigators upon passing an oral and written exam and gaining the required 5 years of work experience to earn the Certified Legal Investigator designation.

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