Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Economic Crime Investigation
Majors Overview March 8, 2015Get information about bachelor’s degree programs in economic crime investigation and their coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education information.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Economic Crime Investigation
Students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in economic crime investigation are taught the principles of networking security, forensics, computer programming, accounting, and criminology. They learn the foundations of the criminal justice system, criminal behavior, crime prevention and deterrence, and crime.
The strong technical background needed for combating financial crime related to computer networking systems is also provided by computer courses. Few schools, if any, offer economic crime investigation bachelor’s degree programs; private, not-for-profit institutions are among the few that do offer them. Those who complete the program may obtain a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Economic Crime Investigation degree.
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma.
Coursework
Students enrolled in some bachelor’s degree programs in economic crime investigation are required to choose a focus area, such as accounting or computer science. The institution and program focus would determine the nature of coursework; however, standard core courses may include topic areas such as:
•Information security
•Computer science
•Forensic accounting
•Criminology
•Identity theft
Career Choices
Those who complete the program can choose from a number of available employment opportunities in the criminal justice system. They may seek jobs working for government agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Homeland Security, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). These professionals may also try to become self-employed by providing services to banking institutions and businesses. Graduates may also seek job titles such as:
•Cyber-crime analyst
•Computer networking analyst
•Insurance fraud investigator
•Fraud analyst
•Accountant
Job and Wage Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 11% employment growth for private detectives and investigators, including financial, corporate, and legal investigators over the 2010 – 2020 decade. In May 2012, these professionals took home an average annual wage of $45,740 (BLS).
Continuing Education Information
Graduates who seek continuing education can aim to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) by completing 150 hours of accounting coursework and taking the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Those who want to pursue careers in information technology may need certification in particular computer applications programs. Further training may have to be completed by those that want to work for government agencies, such as:
•The Department of Homeland Security
•The FBI
•The Secret Service
