If you are ready to take the next step in your life and start on a new path, you might be considering getting a criminal investigation degree. Before you start school and invest in an expensive education that requires lots of work and dedication, you should consider what your education is worth to you. The following points can help you set priorities and determine what you want to do in the future.

• Are you a good candidate for private investigator school?
  Two qualities that every personal investigator should have are a basic knowledge of technology and an interest in learning about others. If your technology skills are lacking, don’t worry because you can learn this when you get a criminal investigation degree. An interest in other people is critical though, because that can’t be taught.
• Do you like solving mysteries while staying within the bounds of the law?
  Private investigators are privately contracted, outside of the court, to gather facts and information. Once they uncover everything they can, they consider the facts together, analyze the situation, and draw conclusions. It isn’t easy to do all these things without breaking the law, but private investigators vow to conduct only legal investigations.
• Does your schedule permit you to spend time getting a degree?
  There are online private investigator courses, but they still require time and energy. If you are too busy to take on more responsibility right now, it’s okay to wait until you’re ready. Getting a criminal investigation degree is a critical step though, because there is a criminal investigator education requirement if you want to be professionally licensed.
• Are you prepared to deal with difficult and upsetting situations?
  People who hire private investigators and detectives do so because there is something wrong or because they don’t trust someone close to them. Common clients include parents who are concerned about child abuse, spouses who seek a divorce or suspect cheating, and employers or business owners who believe their employees are stealing from them. These situations are upsetting and you should evaluate your ability to handle emotionally taxing situations on a daily basis.
• Will you be dedicated to your job?
  Detectives and criminal investigators are a key part of court cases, because the evidence they gather is presented in court. Private detectives and investigators have a reputation for being able to find anyone and anything. They earned this reputation by not stopping until they find the truth. A successful criminal defense investigator puts their job first, so you must take your career seriously.