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Criminal Investigations Degree

An online criminal investigations degree or those offered at brick-and-mortar institutions are generally two-year programs that offer 60 credit hours and focus on the fundamentals of dealing with evidence. With these degrees, students can then generally apply for a position as a law enforcement officer or a criminal investigator.

Since many departments now require at least 60 credit hours, the equivalent of an associate’s degree, a criminal investigations degree can be a good choice for students who want a career in law enforcement or police work but do not perhaps have the time or money for a four-year program. Keeping in mind that applicants still face a four-to-six-month period of training at an academy, taking coursework in criminal investigations can give one an advantage over other recruits.

CJDS Fact: Some employers of criminal investigators include private firms, local police agencies and federal agencies like the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

Source: East Texas Baptist University

Criminal Investigation Training and Courses

The criminal investigation training include learning how to take evidence and establish crime scenes, important aspects of work for most law enforcement officers. Students seeking criminal investigations degrees also learn about analyzing evidence that would benefit them as crime scene investigators or in the field of forensic science.

Career Opportunities for Criminal Investigations Degree Program Graduates

Positions for criminal investigations degree program graduates are available at nearly every level of government, and some private laboratories also need help analyzing fluid samples or other skills gained through obtaining this degree. Degree holders who do not want to work for the government also have the opportunity to work in the private sector and strike out on their own by becoming private investigators.

In this role, you will be tasked with building up your own client base, perhaps for people who believe their spouses may be unfaithful. It can also mean working on behalf of insurance companies to detect whether claims are being made fraudulently.

Salary Expectations For a Criminal Investigator

Pay varies depending on which career path you choose with a degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an annual median wage of $71,770 for detectives and criminal investigators as of May 2011 and the top 10% earn a median annual salary of $122,290.¹