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  • Private Investigations

    Earn your Certificate in Professional Private Investigations

    Work with educators and field experts while earning the new Certificate in Professional Private Investigations from PDI of the University of North Texas. This new program prepares students to enter the field of private investigations.


    Every program is taught by professional faculty, attorneys and practitioners in the field. This curriculum offers over 200 hours of instruction broken down into 11 classes, including special topics. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a Certificate in Professional Private Investigations from PDI and be automatically eligible to sit for the licensing PI exam in Texas. (after meeting all other PSB licensing requirements)

    Features of the Private Investigations Program

    • Over 200 hours of live instruction
    • Taught by seasoned experts who have both practical and teaching experience
    • Only program approved by the state that allows you to immediately sit for the licensing exam, without having to meet the 3 year work experience requirement (after meeting all other PSB licensing requirements)
    • Convenient locations in Dallas, Houston and Central Texas
    • All inclusive tuition includes texts and materials

    Financial Assistance

    Private Student loans are available from Sallie Mae.  To apply, follow these steps:
    Go to www.salliemae.com.  Click on the orange "apply now" button.  Select Texas and then Professional Development Institute from the drop down menus.  Accept the terms and proceed with completing the application.
    If you have any questions, please contact Tami Russell at 866.374.0876 or trussell@pdi.org.

    Attend a Free Information Session
    Open House Date: February 18, 2012 at 10 a.m.

    Location: University of Dallas, Haggerty Science, Room 212
    Qualifications for becoming a PI
    A person may be eligible to sit for the licensing exam, provided he/ she meets one of the following five criteria:

    - 3 consecutive years as an investigator
    - A bachelors degree in criminal justice
    - A bachelors degree with 6 months of investigative experience
    - An Associates degree with 12 months of investigative experience
    - Completion of a specialized course that's taught in affiliation with an accredited University in Texas and features at least 200 hours of instruction in investigative techniques, ethics and statutes related to the industry.


    For more details on the qualifications, view the Texas Administrative Code.
    Spring 2012 Dallas Private Investigations Program
    Register Now
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    Date: March 9, 2012
    Location: University of Dallas, Dallas TX
    Cost: $3125

    The class is held on Friday evenings from 6 to 9 pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm.


    Work with educators and field experts while earning the new Certificate in Professional Private Investigations from PDI of the University of North Texas. This new program prepares students to enter the field of private investigations.

    Every program is taught by professional faculty, attorneys, and practitioners in the field. This curriculum offers over 200 hours of instruction broken down into 11 classes, including special topics. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a Certificate in Professional Private Investigations from PDI.
    Fall 2012 Houston Private Investigations Program

    Register Now!
    View Brochure


    Dates: Begins September 18, 2012,
    Open House - September 6
    Cost: $3125
    Location: Norris Conference Center Houston, 9990 Richmond Ave Ste 102 Westchase Houston, TX 77042

    This class will meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6 to 9pm and every other Saturday 9am to 5pm.

    Description: Work with educators and field experts while earning the new Certificate in Professional Private Investigations from PDI of the University of North Texas. This new program prepares students to enter the field of private investigations.

    Every program is taught by professional faculty, attorneys, and practitioners in the field. This curriculum offers over 200 hours of instruction broken down into 12 classes, including special topics. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a Certificate in Professional Private Investigations from PDI.
    Private Investigations Certificate program featured on ntTV
    ntTV, the University of North Texas television station, recently ran a piece on the Private Investigations certificate program and featured program director Scott Belshaw.

    Watch this informative piece now.
    A Few Words About Our Instructors
    Executive Director
    Dr. Scott H Belshaw, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
    University of North Texas, Denton

    Brad Bacom

    Scott Baldwin
    Owner, Houston PI.com

    Brian Benken

    Clyde Burleson
    Attorney, State of Texas

    Frances Cowden
    Founder, Hewitt & Cowden Investigations

    Leah Harbour

    Karen Hewitt
    Texas Licensed Private Investigator
    President/Chairman, Board of Texas Association of Licensed Investigators

    Sonja Raffeet
    Texas Certified Investigator

    Sheldon Reichstein

    Bradley A. Smith

    Full Biographies available here