Online Class: How To Be Your Own Private Investigator

How To Be Your Own Private Investigator
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  • 13
    Lessons
  • 41
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 12
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.2
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

How would you like to be your own detective?    

 

Are you interested in tracking down someone who owes you money, or getting information from credit bureaus or locating lost children or friends, or finding out whether a spouse or lover is being faithful or do you want to learn more about one of the fastest growing careers?  If you answered "yes" to any of these questions then this is the perfect course for you!  Through this private investigator course you will be given the tools to perform searches over the internet, the skills to assess public records online and the methods for performing background investigations.  The class will include real life examples from actual private investigators.  So if sleuthing is something that intrigues you, join this self-paced online course.

                                                                     

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Course Motivation

Were you always a big fan of the detectives out there--Sherlock Holmes, Perry Mason, Dick Tracey?
 
Embarking on a career as a private investigator is a lot easier than you might think. If you spent your formative year immersed in mystery novels and classic movies following the adventures of sleuths and Private Eyes, it's never too late to turn pro!
 
Think of the possibilities...
  • Being able to track down companies or individuals that "skipped town" with your money.
  • Opportunities to easily access up-to-date credit reports and credit histories to avoid collection issues further down the road
  • Locating long-lost friends, relatives and biological parents
  • Learning to locate missing children and runaways
  • Never having to just "wonder" if a spouse is cheating, but having the tools to actually unearth the facts
If any of these benefits spark your interest, then you're a perfect fit for this online course on striking out as a private investigator.
 
Self-paced and completely self-contained, all you need in order to position yourself for success is a high school reading level. Across five comprehensive lessons, you’ll be armed with all of the essentials you'll need to ferret out anything and everything you're looking for.
 
Whether you're looking for a new line of work, or you're just hoping to add a few more skills and qualifications to your talent pool, there’s no need to look any farther.
 
Since enrollment is always open, there's no excuse to put things off any longer. Or, you can keep reading to find out even more...
In today's Information Age, there's hardly anything you can't find--as long as you know how and where to look!
 
Past and present addresses, telephone numbers (even unlisted ones), credit reports, criminal background information, credit card tracking, adoption records and access to vital and public records are just a few of the investigative tricks that all private eyes have up their sleeves.
 
While there are no prerequisite classes to take, or textbooks or software programs to invest in, it’s important to research your own local and state laws to become familiar with certification requirements or the legal loopholes you may have to leap through. Just a few of the items you may want to pay special attention to include licensing requirements, handgun permits, martial arts certification(s) and advertising restrictions.
 
With that little disclaimer under our belts, let’s take a moment to explore the rewards you can glean for your self-development efforts.
 
Over the course of your studies, you’ll cover a total of five self-paced and self-contained lessons. The only thing you might want to add is a spiral notebook you can dedicate to you class assignments and notes.
 
Along the way, you’ll learn:
 
Lesson 1: Why Become Your Own Private Investigator?

Lesson 2: Tools Needed to Be a Successful P.I.

Lesson 3: How to Do Searches on the Internet

Lesson 4: The Rich Sources of Information Found in Public Records, and

Lesson 5: Background Checks
 
To measure your performance in class, each lesson will include do-it-yourself practice assignments that will rely on Internet searches for completion. There is also a short 25 point quiz at the end of each section. Coursework must be completed sequentially (meaning you must finish all of Lesson 1 before moving on the Lesson 2) and an overall score of 70% or better is required for successful completion.
 
Unlike many of the other courses available out there, the assignments in this class will be based around your own customized P.I. searches and other personal exercises. However, your privacy is respected, and not every assignment will have to be submitted for grading.
 
You don’t have to get on Oprah or Maury Povich to find a long lost loved one. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars hiring a detective when you can do all of the legwork yourself. While you won’t walk away with college credit or any official certification, you will wind up with an in-depth understanding of unearthing the information you’re after--for personal use OR profit.
 
What mysteries are you hoping to solve? Who will you hunt down first?
 
Registration is open and available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Tap into your inner detective and enroll today!
  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

  • Lesson 1: The Real World of Private Investigation: Separating Fact from Fiction

    Despite its portrayal as an exhilarating profession, Private Investigation is typically a meticulous and research-intensive job that rewards those with strong observational skills and an aptitude for problem-solving. The field is expanding, with specialization options helping potential investigators leverage their unique backgrounds and interests for long-term career advancement.

  • Lesson 2: Essential Gear and Traits for Aspiring Private Investigators

    This lesson highlights the indispensable balance between equipping oneself with the right investigative gadgets and developing personal skills such as observation and intuition to thrive in private investigation. It underlines the non-necessity of stereotypical detective icons like fedoras and mustaches, pointing instead to practical readiness and personal steadiness.

  • Lesson 3: Developing Your Investigation Skills

    Investigation prowess is built on persistence and critical thinking, nurtured by exercises in patience, observation, and strategic games. Phone tactics and interviewing skills can be enhanced through practice and engagement in conversations with strangers.

  • Lesson 4: Eye for Detail: Training Your Observational Skills

    To excel as an investigator, cultivate an eye for detail and a robust memory through practice. Regularly challenge your observational prowess in busy environments and with memory-enhancing games to boost investigative acumen.

  • Lesson 5: Harnessing the Power of the Internet for Effective Investigations

    Private investigators benefit greatly from mastering web searches, utilizing resources like Google Local and online directories to acquire personal data. This lesson emphasizes strategic searching to navigate through vast information, enhancing investigative efficiency.

  • Lesson 6: Navigating the Public Domain: Essential Resources for Investigators

    As private investigators, accessing public records is crucial to find information not always available through standard search engines like Google. LexisNexis and Search Systems serve as primary resources, the former offering a vast paid database, while the latter provides a mix of free and paid public document access crucial for comprehensive investigations.

  • Lesson 7: The Art of Background Investigation

    For a Private Investigator, effective background checks hinge on the client's distinct requirements and the applicable legal framework. Diverse techniques, from strategic interviewing to examining organizational ties, aid in compiling an individual's trustworthiness and previous behaviors.

  • Lesson 8: The Art of Discreet Surveillance: A Practical Guide

    The lesson emphasizes the importance of practical and legal considerations in choosing surveillance equipment over unrealistic gadgets seen in movies. It advises on selecting affordable tools like binoculars, digital recorders, and inconspicuous vehicles, while maintaining compliance with legal regulations.

  • Lesson 9: Tips for Effective Home Surveillance

    Surveillance work often lacks excitement but remains crucial for private investigators who must practice patience and ethical methods to gather evidence effectively. Mastering discreet observation and law-abiding practices help mitigate risks of legal issues and increase chances of obtaining useful information.

  • Lesson 10: The Affair At a Glance

    Investigation of infidelity is delicate and demands the use of advanced skills and tools, such as surveillance and digital tracking. The responsibility of a private investigator is to discreetly uncover truth while respecting privacy and legal boundaries.

  • Lesson 11: Finding the Runaway

    Missing person cases range widely, but private detectives often intervene in teen runaway situations, where the individual has opted to vanish, complicating parental responses. Immediate action enhances recovery odds, with runaways frequently facing greater harm if not located quickly.

  • Lesson 12: Corporate Loss Prevention: Strategies for Detecting and Preventing Theft

    Expertise in tech can amplify a Private Investigator's ability to trace digital theft, while financial know-how aids in detecting embezzlement. Their proactive presence in businesses serves as both a deterrent and a solution against theft.

  • Lesson 13: Legalities for Private Investigators: A Comprehensive Guide

    The legal framework governing Private Investigators varies by jurisdiction, necessitating thorough research into local laws before commencing activities. Adhering strictly to legal boundaries is crucial, as operating outside them can lead to grave consequences.
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Describe various specializations within the private investigation industry and outline the skills and background needed for successful practice in these areas.
  • Recognize the realistic expectations of a career in private investigation by identifying common misconceptions and understanding the typical nature of investigative work.
  • Define the essential equipment, including high-quality digital cameras and note-taking tools, required for effective surveillance as a Private Investigator.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the key personal qualities—patience, persistence, observation, quick thinking, and intuition—that contribute to successful outcomes in private investigation scenarios.
  • Apply critical thinking techniques, such as playing strategic games, to analyze gathered information and make well-reasoned decisions based on detailed observations.
  • Demonstrate increased persistence by completing progressively difficult observation and patience exercises, maintaining focus and effort until objectives are met.
  • Apply memory improvement techniques to recall at least 80% of observed details after a second exposure to the subject within 24 hours.
  • Demonstrate enhanced observation skills by identifying at least five detailed elements in a busy environment following 20 minutes of observation.
  • Demonstrate the ability to refine search results by employing Boolean operators and quotation marks to narrow down information efficiently.
  • Recognize how to use online directories to locate essential information such as full names, addresses, and phone numbers.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using Search Systems to locate public records by successfully identifying at least one record related to a personal acquaintance.
  • Define the key differences between free and paid public record access and illustrate the practical uses of each resource.
  • Define the steps necessary to conduct a legal and comprehensive background check using multiple sources, including public records, interviews, and organizational affiliations.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Student Testimonials

  • "What was most helpful was the video at the end of each lesson." -- Emilio C.
  • "The course and the instructor were extremely helpful." -- Israel T.
  • "THANKS I WILL BE TAKING MORE CLASSES SOON." -- Oscar D.
  • "A good learning experience." -- Johnny P.
  • "What can i say? Fantastic course! Almost wish I could take it again!" -- Martin M.
  • "Great teacher. Always answered any questions you have." -- Mark C.
  • "All the material was very useful." -- Mark C.
  • "The instructor was a knowledgeable and capable instructor. I thoroughly enjoyed his class." -- Jerry F.
  • "I really enjoyed this class and I hope to keep learning on here in the future. The instructor was very nice as well." -- Joseph S.
  • "The website search. I was better my results when searching online. It has made finding things and people a lot easier." -- Joseph S.

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