If you’re the type who is inquisitive, observant, have a good contact network, discrete and capable of making strong deductions, becoming a private investigator may be a great career for you.  There are certain requirements you have to meet, though and in case you’re wondering if a college degree is required to become a private investigator, the answer is no, not really and not always.

When a college degree isn’t required
If you’re planning to become a private investigator, remember that there is no such thing as a single course or background to lead you to this type of career.  Of course, many private investigators and detectives have some sort of college degree but most of those who work in the field have background experience in law enforcement or private security. 

If you only have a high school degree, that should probably suffice, provided you have the relevant training and experience in related fields.  Many employers prefer to hire someone who has completed at least a high school degree, as long as you have completed courses in fields like criminology, law enforcement, criminal justice, security administration and law enforcement.  You can then comfortably shift to a career as private investigator.

It will also help if you’ve completed at least a two-year associate’s degree or program related to criminal justice or law enforcement.  By the time you train as a private investigator, you will have the right kind of knowledge to do your job efficiently.

Your specialization matters
Although you don’t usually need a college degree to embark on a career as a private investigator, it also depends on what type of work you will be involved in.  Corporate investigators, for example, are required to have completed a bachelor’s degree in business or have a master’s or law degree.  Others even enter into an investigator career as CPAs.

Many private investigator firms also prefer that their employees have knowledge about certain areas related to private investigation, such as criminal investigation and insurance.

You will need this knowledge in order to know what to do in a certain situation.  If you work in a casino, for example, you will need to know how to perform loss prevention in order to protect your turf.

Most people who become private investigators usually work in other agencies or occupations.  Many private eyes, for example, used to work as private security personnel or as investigators and paralegals in government positions and insurance companies.  Without a college degree, you can still meet the requirements to become a private investigator provided you receive relevant training and certification to prove your competency in a certain field.

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