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Bellweather College of Applied Technology
1400 Corliss Pike, Bellweather, Ohio 44683 · (330) 555-0140

Private Investigation

Technical Diploma · 32 credit hours · 3 semesters · Division of Investigative and Protective Services

Prepares students for licensure as a private investigator in Ohio. Surveillance, records research, service of process, interviewing, report writing, and testimony. Surveillance exercises are not conducted on College property or on persons affiliated with the College. The restriction dates from 2016.

Records instruction includes microfilm research; county records in the region are not all digitized. Students are expected to operate the reader-printer in Room 114 without assistance by the fourth week of the records unit. A per-session print charge is assessed and is published in the Schedule of Charges.

Curriculum

CourseTitleCreditsTerm
INV 130Introduction to Private Investigation31
INV 135Ohio Licensure Law21
INV 170Records and Database Research31
ENG 121Composition I31
INV 205Surveillance Operations42
INV 150Statement Taking I42
COM 110Oral Communication32
INV 245Service of Process23
INV 250Report Writing and Testimony43
INV 285Field Practicum43
Completion of this program does not confer licensure. Licensure under ORC 4749.03 requires two years of qualifying experience in addition to this credential. Applicants should review the statute prior to enrollment.

Licensure or employment in this field requires a criminal records check. The College does not advise on individual eligibility and does not refund tuition on the basis of denied licensure.

Student outcomes

MeasureRate
Completion within 150% of published length62.5%
Placement in field or related field77.8%

Rates are calculated under the methodology statement of record (rev. 2025-08-15).

Graduates

Half the county is not digitized. The microfilm course felt like a museum until I needed a 1994 deed and found it in twenty minutes while opposing counsel was still waiting on a request.

Lionel Frack, ’23 — Licensed private investigator, Canton

Facilities and instruction

Interview And Statement Suite.

Instruction is delivered in the facilities of the Division of Investigative and Protective Services. Additional photographs are collected at Campus photographs.

For more information

Responsible office: Office of the Registrar. Program information is published in the Catalog of record; where this page and the Catalog differ, the Catalog governs.
programs/private-investigation · Bellweather College of Applied Technology