Private Investigator Online Certificate Program

TTC's Private Investigator Certificate Program consists of four courses of approximately seven weeks duration each, all online. Upon completion, participants should have the skills to be effective investigators. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) issues time credits to students who complete this program toward the three-year internship required before investigators can receive business licenses.

Note: A SLED criminal background check is required before employment as a private investigator.

Tuition Support: Tuition for the entire program, including books and materials, costs approximately $1,000 per student. If eligible, you can apply for WIA funds through Trident One-Stop Career Center.

The first three courses, Private Investigation Introduction, Criminal Justice Introduction and Judicial Process, will be offered Summer 2009.

Online access instructions:

1. On the day the course begins, go to http://conedonline.tridenttech.edu/.
2. Click on log in for continuing education students.
3. Follow the directions. 

This course introduces the various components of the criminal justice system emphasizing ethical investigative tactics and honestly reporting facts. Topics include the juvenile justice system, family court actions and the Department of Corrections including sentencing. Participants gain understanding of crime and justice in a multi-cultural society and demonstrate a practical knowledge of contemporary criminal justice systems. Criminal trial procedures within a historical context, prosecution and defense functions, trial and post-trial procedures, and punishment and sentencing are covered. Other topics include crime data collection, critical issues in policing and crime control policy including ethics. Books not included

This course introduces S.C. laws and regulations for private investigators including licensing and required contracts. Topics include a discussion of ethics in client relations, investigative procedures and reporting. The importance of customer relations, client communications and human resource issues is addressed. Other topics include information-gathering, purpose of investigation, research including the use of public records, database searches and the use of the FOIA, marital and child custody investigations, surveillance, insurance fraud, undercover investigation, and industrial fraud and court testimony. Participants will have project assignments, case studies and report preparation. Books not included

This course includes an overview of the interpretive function of the court, the growth of common law, the structure and organization of the courts, court processes and procedures involved in criminal and civil cases and the question of reform for the administration of justice. Topics include special issues involving ethics in investigations and court with specific attention to court testimony and procedure and evidence chain of custody. The role of private investigators in divorce and custody cases in family, general sessions and common pleas courts is emphasized. Books not included