Education and Training Requirements
High School
The minimum requirement to be a private investigator is to have a high school diploma. A good foundation for this type of work is classes in business, math, English, and computers.
Postsecondary Education
A bachelor's degree may be required by some private investigation agencies and is particularly helpful in working on cases for corporations, law firms, and financial institutions. A degree in criminal justice or police science is useful. Investigators who work in financial investigation may have a degree in accounting or finance. Computer forensic investigators may have a degree in computer science, and they must stay up to date on the latest technology and software developments.
Related Professions
- Airport Security Personnel
- Armored Truck Drivers
- Bodyguards
- Chief Information Security Officers
- Cryptographic Technicians
- Cybersecurity Architects
- Directors of Security
- FBI Agents
- Fire Inspectors
- Fire Investigators
- Forensic Experts
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators, and Analysts
- Internet Security Specialists
- Locksmiths
- Personal Privacy Advisors
- Secret Service Special Agents
- Security Consultants
- Security Guards
- Security Systems Installers and Workers