Private Investigator

Program Description

Private Investigators are hired to do investigative work involving legal, financial, or personal matters, and offer a variety of services including background verification, locating missing persons, conducting surveillance, and more. They must have a good understanding of federal, state, and local laws, as well as legal issues affecting their work. Private investigators work in many places, depending on their assignment or case. Some spend more time in offices, doing computer searches, while others spend more time in the field, conducting interviews and performing surveillance. They may work irregular hours. 

This Continuing Education Certificate prepares students for a job in the field of Private Investigation. The program will provide a combination of education and experience to assist a student in obtaining an entry-level position in a public or private organization.​ Students will learn the fundamentals of constitutional law and  criminal law, the relationship between private investigation and the criminal justice system, including regulations, scope of operations, ethics, civil law, and legal considerations. 

Students entering this program should have self-discipline, computer skills, strong interpersonal skills, strong problem-solving skills; the ability to analyze evidence; and be detail-oriented, organized, and resourceful.

Private investigator jobs can be found in the private and public sector, and in small and large organizations or companies​​. Additional career information may be found in Career Coach: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

1. ​gain entry-level employment in an investigative agency as a private investigator,
2. apply foundational professional skills and ethical standards in the field,
3. function effectively in a private investigator role, and
4. assume responsibility for continued professional and personal development through continuing education.​

CCBC Pathway

Criminal Justice and Law Pathway - Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs.  Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study.  You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.

Program Credentials

CCBC Credential:
Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).  

Students will be prepared to begin employment with a licensed agency and must pass a criminal background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the student can also apply for a Private Investigator certificate with Maryland State Police.

Certifying Organization:
Maryland State Police  https://mdsp.maryland.gov

Financial Aid and Payment Options

We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition,  the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.

Length of Training

1 year

Program Requirements

High School Diploma or GED

This program is not eligible for Baltimore County Public School Blueprint funding

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Continuing Education Workforce Certificate program application.  An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has potential options for waving select courses based on previous coursework or articulated coursework from an approved curriculum.  A maximum of 135 program hours may be earned from prior learning.

Program Course Sequence

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more.  View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA.  Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Contact Information

Coordinator: Greg Zuest |  gzuest@ccbcmd.edu |443-840-3037|​ Dundalk STAT 119

Program Support: Jessica Scoggins | jscoggins@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-3678  | Dundalk STAT 118