Private Investigator Course

Are you inquisitive and logical, and do you have a keen eye for detail? Take the next step in your career with our online private investigator course.

Our flexible training programme is ideal for those who want to become a PI, those already working in a related area of law and justice and those who wish to carry out their own personal private investigations rather than hiring a PI. They are also designed for those looking to advance their skills in a range of other professions, from fraud prevention to journalism.

Explore our course breakdown below or enroll now to get started.

• Course Outline

  When you enroll in our private investigator course, you’ll be taught the tricks of the trade and discover what normally takes years of on-the-job experience to learn.

  You will complete the following units of study:

  1	Criminal Psychology

  Comprehending Crimes through Psychology

  2	Locating People / Factual Inquires

  How to Locate and Track People Down

  3	Starting an Investigation

  Assessing the Matter The Complainant

  Objectives Investigation Plan

  4	Obtaining Results

  Consulting Experts Examinations

  Surveillance Scene Inspection

  5	Tracing Missing Persons

  Why People Disappear?

  Tracing Methodologies

  6	Matrimonial and Domestic Cases

  Means Reporting Child Care and Custody Matters

  Adoption Enquiries Peace of Mind Reports

  7	Counter-Espionage & Counter-Surveillance

  Detecting Surveillance Methods of Surveillance

  Team Surveillance Techniques De-bugging

  8	Commercial Espionage

  Areas of Vulnerability Classification Handling, Storage, Disposal Procedures Clean Desk Policy

  Access Limitation Electronic Surveillance Countermeasures Computer Security & Hacking

  9	Statement Taking and Reporting

  Report Writing Statement Taking

  Interviewing Witnesses

  10	How to Investigate Different Cases

  Personal Injury Cases Malpractice Suits

  Investigating Workers Compensation & Insurance

  11	Fraud Cases

  Investigating Theft Cases Investigating Collections & Repossession Cases Investigation Missing Persons Case

  Skip Tracing & Public Record Searches Pre-texting for Information How to Spot a Bug or Wiretap

  12	Surveillance

  Stationary Surveillance Moving Surveillance

  Pre-texts and Cover Stories Preparation & Techniques

  13	Carrying Out Search of the Public Record

  Searching the Public Record

  14	Operating a Private Investigation Business

  Finding Clients Getting Paid Price Strategy

  Contracts Marketing

• How Will You Benefit?

  There are many benefits associated with our private investigator training. For example, you will:

  • Expedite your career as a private investigator
  • Study a course that has been developed in consultation with senior members of the PI profession
  • Learn at your own pace, allowing you to fit your PI training around your existing commitments
  • Have access to your own personal tutor
  • Save time and money by learning remotely rather than in-person
  • Pay upfront for a 10% reduction in your course fee, or sign up to our interest-free weekly payment plan

  Start reaping the benefits by enrolling in our private investigator course today!

• Career Prospects

  Successfully completing our private investigator course can open up many career opportunities. As a PI graduate, you could offer services in areas such as:
  

  • Family law
  • Unfaithful spouses
  • Harassment and stalking
  • Insurance
  • Asset tracing
  • Intellectual property
  • Service of documents
  • Due diligence
  • Identity vetting
  • Personnel screening
  • Theft
  • Fraud
  • Kidnap / ransom / extortion
  • Missing persons
  • Malicious damage
  • Hidden camera and bug detection
  • Surveillance and counter-surveillance
  • Addictions

  You may work for a range of public and private organizations, including:

  • Government agencies
  • Councils
  • Insurance companies
  • Banks, building societies and credit unions
  • Solicitors and barristers
  • Private citizens

  You can decide whether to seek work with an existing organization or set up your own PI business.

  Related professions that can benefit from PI training

  Our PI course provides you with a wide range of transferable skills that are highly valued in other professions too. For example, it can benefit people working as:
  

  • Auditors / forensic accountants
  • Corruption investigators
  • Counsellors / psychologists
  • Customs officers
  • Complaints officers
  • Corrective service officers
  • Council compliance officers (eg rangers)
  • Covert surveillance team members
  • Criminal investigators
  • Detectives
  • Debt collectors
  • Environmental protection officers
  • Forensic specialists
  • Fraud prevention officers
  • Genealogists / family historians
  • Investigation managers / supervisors
  • Insurance claims assessment officers
  • Interviewers
  • Journalists
  • Ombudsman / consumer affairs staff
  • Parks and wildlife officers
  • Professional standards officers
  • Police officers
  • Policy development officers
  • Quarantine inspectors
  • Research officers
  • Security officers
  • Tertiary and school education managers
  • Legal professionals (lawyers, solicitors, barristers) and paralegals
  • Workplace health and safety inspectors

  Completing our private investigator course will give you a competitive advantage over others in your field, helping you to advance your career.

• Course Levels Explained

  Executive Diploma

  This course leads to the awarding of an Executive Diploma. This qualification recognizes the graduate’s capacity for initiative and judgement across a broad range of technical and management functions. Diploma holders typically have personal responsibility and autonomy in performing technical operations or organizing others in the workplace.

• Prerequisites

  There are NO previous work or education requirements for entry onto this course.

  So if you want to take your career to the next level, simply register for our PI training programme today.

• Course Length

  Students take an average of:

  Executive Diploma Level

  31 weeks

  Our private investigator course allows you to study at your own pace. There are no assignment deadlines. This means you determine how quickly you complete the learning programme.

  If you wish to finish as soon as possible, you can fast track your studies and graduate in a matter of months. If you would prefer to take longer, we allow up to three years to finish the course.

• Study Mode: Online Learning

  Our private investigator course is carried out entirely online via distance learning, also known as correspondence learning. This approach puts you in the driving seat. It allows you to fit your studies around any commitments you may have, such as work or family, and it means you are not locked into a timetable.

  With access to your own personal tutor who will answer your questions and provide guidance, you can learn and submit assignments whenever you wish. You can also complete your studies wherever you are in the world, and there is no need to factor in time and travel costs to attend lessons in person.

  Like all of our courses, it is designed to be highly relevant and engaging, making the learning process stimulating and rewarding.

• Recognition & Accreditation

  
  Our private investigator course is recognised and accredited by the International Association of Private Career Colleges (IAPCC).

  The learning programme goes far beyond the theory of being a PI. Written and delivered by experienced industry professionals, it provides key practical information and insights that will enable you to thrive in your career.

  Licensure as a Private Investigator

  In over 40 states in the U.S., private investigators (PIs, for short) need to obtain a license before they can provide their services. While some states do not regulate the profession.

  State agencies or professional boards oversee licensing regulation. It often involves meeting criteria such as age requirements and educational background (high school diploma or higher). Applicants are typically expected to pass a background check and provide fingerprints for identification purposes. Courses provided by the International Career Institute do not cater to the training requirements of those states that require completion of specific Private Investigator programs. A complete list of states and corresponding requirements can be found on the Harbour Compliance website.

• Already in the Profession or Industry?

  Already working as a private investigator or in a related profession? This course is for you. It will help you to reinforce and update your knowledge and skills in this fast-paced, competitive and challenging field. As well as providing you with added confidence, it will further your professional development and make it easier to secure new roles and promotions.

  You can claim the fees for our PI course as a tax deduction as long as the learning programme is sufficiently connected to your work activities.

• What Do I Get?

  All the materials you need to complete our private investigator course are included in the course fee. Once you enroll, you will receive:

  • All required study materials and course notes
  • Assignment projects with constructive tutor feedback
  • A tutor who will answer your course and career questions and provide guidance.

  On successful completion of the course, you will receive:

  • A graduation certificate officially recognising your completion of studies and qualifications as a private investigator
  • Transcripts indicating the units completed
  • A letter of recommendation and validation for current and future employers
  • Post-nominal letters placed after your name which indicate that you hold the relevant qualification (for example: John Smith, ExeDipPI)
  • Job search assistance: discover more about our Graduate Career Services Programme.

• Cut Off Date

  Friday, 27th December 2024 is the next enrollment cut off date. Places are limited, in demand and entry into the course is on a first come first served basis.

  Your enrollment is processed and acknowledged within 24 hours of the Institute receiving your application. You can expect to receive your course within days of enrolling. When you start your ICI course it’s at your own pace and you determine when you finish.

  Don’t miss out. Enroll today!

Course Investment & Payment Plans

How do I get started?