Online Investigation Degree Programs

Opportunities in the field of investigation vary according to your career goals and the type of investigations you want to do. Law enforcement investigators are typically promoted from within much like uniformed officers are promoted to detective work. College degrees can assist you in qualifying for promotion; job performance is also a consideration.

Specialization Increasing in Investigation

The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that investigators are increasingly employed in specialized fields such as computer forensics, insurance claims investigations, and legal investigations stemming from lawsuits.

As an investigator, you can work for businesses or corporations in salaried or consultant positions. Depending on clients' needs, you can work in your office most of the time or spend long hours conducting field interviews and surveillance. Working conditions and hours vary widely according to a specific assignment. You could be logging hours in executive suites or conducting surveillance under unpleasant conditions. Investigation techniques and protocols often involve using computers and other technology.

Investigators Rely on Career Training and Street Smarts

As an investigator, you may encounter hostile or uncooperative people and work in unsafe surroundings. Your ability to read people and compel them to supply information is essential in many aspects of investigation. In other cases, you may need to extract information from computers, phones, or video devices. Computer forensics involves extracting information from databases so it's important to be computer savvy and comfortable with using a variety of search applications and databases.

College degrees required for employment can vary according to job descriptions. Accounting and computer science degrees can prepare you for jobs in computer forensics and conducting background investigations. If you'll be conducting investigations for law firms, some legal or criminal justice background can be useful. An associate's degree from a paralegal program or a bachelor's degree in communications, computer science, or criminal justice provides beneficial career training for investigators. Most states require investigators to be licensed. Before you choose an education program, verify your state's requirements for licensure. This can help you determine which degrees or certifications you'll need to pass the licensing exam.

Investigation Jobs Growing Faster Than Average

Due to increasing litigation and security concerns, jobs in all areas of investigation are expected to grow faster than average through 2016. As of 2006, the most recent year for which figures are available, the median salary for investigators was about $34,000. Salaries vary widely depending on employer, job description, and geographic locale. If you're interested in a particular aspect of investigation, prior experience in a related field can help you get the job you want. Many investigators are hired from retired military and police personnel, and you can expect significant competition for the best jobs. Work experience in fields directly related to your areas of interest can provide valuable career training.

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