Criminal Investigation - A Recession-proof Career Choice

If you've always wanted to be the one to take down the bad guys, there's great news. According to the Department of Labor, careers in criminal investigation are looking better than ever, even with a recession looming. In fact, according to Yahoo! HotJobs, security careers, which include criminal investigators, are "recession-proof" careers. Criminals don't take a break when the economy slumps and neither do criminal investigators. Fortunately, with online education options, it's easier than ever to get a degree in criminal investigation.

Criminal investigators gather facts, collect evidence and build the cases that put criminals behind bars. Vital to law enforcement, investigators use advanced surveillance techniques and computer databases to stop illegal activity, provide evidence for prosecution or defense teams, protect assets and help find missing people. They also conduct interviews, examine records, observe suspects and participate in raids and arrests. Criminal investigators tend to specialize in areas such as computer crime, forensic psychology, crime analysis, crime scene investigation or fraud examination. The field is broad and nearly everyone can find a focus they're interested in.

Unlike other industries, criminal investigations is expected to increase in size, despite the economic downturn. As drug- and computer-related crimes rise and our society becomes more security-conscious, job opportunities for degree holders in criminal investigations will continue to increase. Individuals with criminal investigation degrees can choose from various jobs, from police detective to corporate investigator to loss prevention agent. Degree holders can expect to make, on average, between $45,000 and $80,000 with great benefits, stability and plentiful opportunities for advancement.
Criminal investigation degrees can be obtained in relatively little time and with minimal investment. New online degree programs allow more future criminal investigators to start their careers in less time and on their own schedule, most in two to four years.

To best way to choose an online degree program is to visit a free online information service like ClassesandCareers.com. This site lets you compare thousands of different programs, see financial aid options and even puts you in touch with a live representative from an online university. It can be an invaluable tool in planning out your path to a criminal investigations degree.

Click here for free information about what it takes to get a criminal investigations degree.

Copyright © 2008, ARAnet, Inc.