week program is available entirely online to accommodate your busy schedule
as a ... licensed private investigators, and even a professional polygraphist.
Online Professional Investigation Certificate Program Professional investigators are an essential resource for most organizations today because they have the background and training necessary to seek truth and protect the innocent. From screening prospective employees and tracking down perpetrators of fraud and computer-related crimes to providing assistance in missing persons cases, investigative professionals are in high demand. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for this profession will continue to increase as much as 18% through 2016. Boston University’s Center for Professional Education offers a program designed to develop or enhance your career in professional investigation. The online Boston University Certificate in Professional Investigation provides you with an education based on the fundamentals of research, interviewing, and surveillance. This 16week program is available entirely online to accommodate your busy schedule as a working adult. All courses are taught by experts in their fields, including attorneys, licensed private investigators, and even a professional polygraphist. By completing this certificate program, you will gain valuable, hands-on experience that includes real investigative assignments.
• Earn your certificate online in 16 weeks • Participate in courses taught by experts in the field of professional investigation • Interact online with other students • Receive hands-on training and practical skills • Learn from real investigative assignments
Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a Certificate in Professional Investigation from Boston University. This certificate meets the educational requirements leading to a designation of Board Certified Criminal Defense Investigator (CCDI) from the Criminal Defense Investigation Training Council. (Additional requirements apply.)
Who can benefit from this program? • • • • •
Law enforcement professionals Paralegals Insurance adjusters Collections specialists Journalists
• Criminal justice and law students • Private investigators • Anyone interested in an exciting investigative career
Prerequisites In order to enroll in the Professional Investigation courses you must have the following: • High school diploma or GED • Solid command of the English language • Basic computer skills, including a working knowledge of word processing programs and web browsers
Professional Investigation Certificate
Course Descriptions Foundations of Professional Investigation
Internet Research
In this course, you will be given an overview of the investigative profession, including how professional investigators assist attorneys, businesses, and the public with a variety of cases. It covers the investigative process and the conduct, skills, and traits required of professional investigators. As the foundation for your certificate program, this course introduces a six-step methodology that investigators use in both civil and criminal cases.
Internet intelligence is one of the newest and most vital skill sets for the professional investigator to have. This cutting-edge curriculum will expose you to both the tools and the methods for conducting investigative research online. You will explore best practices for obtaining reliable information.
Investigative Interviewing
The Law and the Professional Investigator
Learn to conduct investigative interviews of various subjects, and how to plan, conduct, record, interpret, and present the results of your interviews. The training consists of video clips and role-playing to demonstrate and reinforce interviewing behaviors and techniques.
This course focuses on the role of the investigator within the legal system. You will learn to apply investigative skills to a range of legal matters, including civil, domestic, and criminal actions. The course examines how civil and criminal cases proceed, as well as legal strategies, terminology, and laws pertaining to investigative practices.
Investigative Surveillance
Investigative Research
In this course, you will learn about a variety of surveillance techniques and practice how to plan and conduct typical surveillance assignments. The course covers when to use a particular technique and how to select and use the appropriate technology. You will also learn how to prepare and present results of surveillance activities to clients.
Traditional library and public record searches are effective and vital aspects of any investigation. Through visits to courthouses and other public offices, you will learn techniques and best practices of public records research. You will also learn how to best apply and present the information obtained through this type of investigation.
Program Instructors Thomas Shamshak - Program Director; Instructor, Foundations of Professional Investigation and Investigative Interviewing Thomas Shamshak, president of Shamshak Investigative Services, is also a member of the Licensed Private Detectives Association of Massachusetts (President, 2004–2005) and a former law enforcement officer and police chief in Massachusetts. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Suffolk University, and a Master of Science from the Graduate School of Criminal Justice at Northeastern University, and has pursued doctoral studies at Boston College. He is often asked to provide investigative and consulting services to law enforcement agencies, municipalities, state criminal justice agencies, insurance companies, attorneys, and private investigators.
Marc Solomon - Instructor, Internet Research Marc Solomon is an established lecturer and author of twelve information management courses designed to enhance the professional stature and internal credibility of information consultants. He has served in a consulting capacity for several global companies, including BellSouth Telecommunications (AT&T), Hyperion Solutions (Oracle), and Cymfony (TNS Media Intelligence). He is a contributing columnist to several trade magazines on enterprise knowledge tools, practices, and business cases. He received a master’s in political management from The George Washington University and is currently working toward a Master’s of Education in Instructional Media from Boston University.
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Program Instructors Continued John LeClair - Instructor, Investigative Surveillance
John “Jack” LeClair, a retired Rhode Island police detective, received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Salve Regina College. He received his Master of Education in Public Service and Judicial Systems from Boston University. Mr. LeClair is also a graduate of the Rhode Island Crime Lab Criminalistic Course, where he was an assistant instructor. As an army criminal investigator, police detective, and private investigator, he has conducted hundreds of surveillance assignments. He taught crime scene photography and fingerprinting, as well as interview and interrogation techniques, and he developed and taught the first crime scene videography course. He attended the National Training Center for Polygraph Science and is now a practicing expert polygraphist. He is a member of the Licensed Private Detective Association in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts and is a member of the National Polygraph Association, the Academy of Certified Polygraphists, and the Pawtucket Lodge 4 Fraternal Order of Police.
Jessica Weiss - Instructor, Investigative Research
Jessica Weiss graduated from Cornell University in 1993, and subsequently earned her law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1996. She is a licensed attorney in both New York and Massachusetts. In 2001, she received her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Simmons College. Jessica currently works for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division as a project analyst. In this capacity, she helps manage the implementation of technology improvements for content management software used by web authors across state government. She is also engaged in promoting new web 2.0 initiatives. Additionally, she works with private clients as a web designer. Previously, Jessica served as the legal information director at InstaTrac, a private Massachusetts legislative tracking and analysis service, where she developed and authored proprietary bill summaries, and provided comprehensive legal research services for clients. Jessica has also worked as a law reference librarian in business and academic settings.
Pamela Hay - Instructor, Investigative Research
Pamela Hay is a retired special agent with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). During her tenure at the DEA, she conducted national and international narcotics investigations and supported non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances. Her responsibilities included working in an undercover capacity, conducting surveillance, executing search warrants, identifying viable investigative leads, and developing and implementing operational plans. She also served as New England’s public information officer by communicating DEA policy to public officials and media representatives. She currently works as a private investigator of government and pre-employment background investigations, civil investigations, fraud, insurance and worker’s compensation investigations, personal injury, and surveillance. She is also the president of Broad Range Investigations and serves on the board of directors for the Licensed Private Detectives Association of Massachusetts.
Sherry Rajaniemi-Gregg - Instructor, The Law and the Professional Investigator
Sherry Rajaniemi-Gregg earned her law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1999. She specializes in civil litigation at Kotin, Crabtree & Strong, LLP, particularly in the area of civil rights, including abuse of students in schools and police misconduct. Ms. Rajaniemi-Gregg also specializes in special education law, representing parents and their children in attempting to obtain appropriate services or placements. Throughout the litigation process, Ms. Rajaniemi-Gregg works with private investigators, from service of process to initiate the court action to asset investigation in order to satisfy judgments. Ms. Rajaniemi-Gregg has been an instructor for several years with the Boston University Center for Professional Education, teaching the Litigation module of its Paralegal Certificate program.
Frequently Asked Questions Q. Who may apply for the program?
Q. What are the technical requirements?
You may apply for this program as long as you meet the prerequisite criteria for the program. The Private Investigator Certificate is ideal for law enforcement professionals, paralegals, insurance adjusters, legal secretaries, collections specialists, criminal justice and law students, security professionals, or individuals wanting to make a career change.
You will need a high-speed Internet connection.
Q. Do I have to be online at a specific time every day? No. You will be able to log into the program any time of the day or night. However, you are encouraged to log in to the program daily to check in, participate in discussions, and see if there are any new program or course announcements. Your course grades will depend partially on your participation and time spent in the courses, so it is in your best interest to be involved on a regular basis.
Q. How do I apply? Contact a Program Advisor at 1-866-249-2131 to begin the application process.
Q. When do courses start?
Q. Is there a comprehensive final exam at the end of the program?
The online Professional Investigator Certificate program has various start dates throughout the year. Call 1-866-249-2131 for specific start dates.
Q. How long is the program?
No, there is no final comprehensive exam. Your program grade is based on the average of your six course grades.
Q. Who are the instructors and what are their qualifications?
The total length of the program is 16 weeks. It is composed of six courses—each lasting between two and three weeks.
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You will be taught by Boston University’s experienced instructors, who bring real-life experiences to the online courses.
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Application Process Admission into the Certificate in Professional Investigation program is based on your educational history, communication skills, maturity, previous work experience, and career potential. To apply, you will be required to complete an application consisting of background information, four short-answer questions, and a professional letter of reference. Students should be aware of the PI licensing requirements in their home state. Completion of the online Professional Investigation Program does not guarantee eligibility for licensure. You should check the license requirements in each state where you intend to apply for a private investigator’s license. Conviction of a crime may result in ineligibility for licensure.
Boston University Boston University is an internationally recognized research institution comprised of 17 schools and colleges. With more than 29,000 students from 135 countries and all 50 states, it is the fourth largest private university in the United States. For over 150 years, Boston University has anticipated the changing demands of its students while serving the greater needs of society. To meet the requirements of the current work environment, Boston University established the Center for Professional Education. It provides opportunities for professionals to update their current knowledge and acquire new skills. The Center offers short, high-quality, non-credit programs that are specifically designed to meet the continuing professional education needs of such industries as financial planning, publishing, fundraising, real estate, professional investigation, medical and legal interpreting, and law.
The College Network Since 1992, The College Network has provided educational solutions that enable working adults to enjoy the pride, prestige, and earning power that result from obtaining college degrees and professional certificates from highly acclaimed universities. As one of the nation’s leading educational services companies and a partner with several of the nation’s foremost institutions of higher learning, The College Network has helped more than 150,000 adults advance their education while balancing their personal and professional lives. For questions regarding this program, contact The College Network toll free at 1-866-249-2131 and speak with a Program Advisor.
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BOS-CPI-700 12/08/10 The program information in this publication is current at the time of printing. The most up-to-date information is available at www.collegenetwork.com, or you can speak with a Program Advisor at 1-866-249-2131.
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