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Investigation clerk education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an investigation clerk. Investigation clerks usually study business, accounting, or criminal justice. 54% of investigation clerks hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 213 real investigation clerk resumes to see exactly what investigation clerk education sections show.

The most common colleges for investigation clerks are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online investigation clerk courses to help get the education required to be an investigation clerk.

What education do you need to become an investigation clerk?

What degree do you need to be an investigation clerk?

The most common degree for investigation clerks is bachelor's degree, with 54% of investigation clerks earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 21% and associate degree degree at 14%.
  • Bachelor's, 54%
  • Associate, 21%
  • High School Diploma, 14%
  • Master's, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become an investigation clerk?

You should major in business to become an investigation clerk. 19% of investigation clerks major in business. Other common majors for an investigation clerk include accounting and criminal justice.

Most common colleges for investigation clerks

Investigation clerks often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of Memphis, and University of the District of Columbia. Here are the most common colleges for investigation clerks in the US based on their resumes.
Investigation clerk common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix14.71%
University of Memphis14.71%
University of the District of Columbia5.88%
Wichita State University5.88%
Villanova University5.88%

Best majors for investigation clerks

RankMajorPercentages
1Business18.6%
2Accounting15.5%
3Criminal Justice12.4%
4Psychology5.2%
5Political Science5.2%

Best colleges for investigation clerks

The best colleges for investigation clerks are Boston University, Northwestern University, and George Washington University, The.

An investigation clerk with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for investigation clerks. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become investigation clerks.

1. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

2. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

5. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

6. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

7. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

8. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

9. SUNY College at Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,369

Enrollment

5,229

10. SUNY College at Oswego

Oswego, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,440

Enrollment

7,039

20 best online courses for investigation clerks

Advertising disclosure

1. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes

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‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...

2. Threat Investigation

coursera

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand how threat-centric SOC must prepare for analyzing new and emerging threats by implementing robust security investigation procedures • By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Understand cyber-threat hunting concepts • Describe the five hunting maturity levels (HM0–HM4) • Describe the hunting cycle four-stage loop• Describe the use of the Common...

3. Investigative Journalism

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4.4
(379)

How to find hidden sources. How to look for documents and people...

4. Forensic accounting, fraud investigation and fraud analytics

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4.3
(657)

The 14 hour course(50casestudies) helps to understand fraud examination, forensic audit,financial crime, data analytics...

5. Investigating Epidemics like COVID-19: An Analyst's Guide

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Do you want to learn how to detect, identify the cause, and decrease the morbidity and mortality from outbreaks or pandemics like COVID-19? Are you considering a career in public health practice, but aren’t sure how health departments collect and use outbreak data? Are you working in public health, but interested in moving into analytical and/or technical roles or curious how health departments investigate outbreaks? If so, this course is for you. After taking this course you be able to define...

6. International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague

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International Law in Action explains the functions of each international court and tribunal present in The Hague, and it looks at how these institutions address contemporary problems. On the basis of selected cases, and through interviews with judges and lawyers, you will explore the role of these courts and tribunals and their potential to contribute to global justice. The first module of the course will investigate how judicial settlement is different from other more political forms of...

7. IFCI Expert Cybercrime Investigator's Course

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4.6
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Protect your network - Put cybercriminals in jail. Learn computer forensics, malware analysis and hacker investigations...

8. AML Case Investigation Skills

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4.5
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A guide to conducting AML case investigations, writing quality case narratives and the submission of STRs (STR filing)...

9. Digital Forensics and Cyber-Crime Investigation

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4.2
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Computer Forensics...

10. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+

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4.1
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Learn digital forensics and be computer forensics investigator / Certificate after completing course / DFMC+ / DFIR 2023...

11. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement

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4.6
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Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...

12. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries

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4.4
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Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...

13. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals

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4.5
(580)

Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...

14. The Complete Computer Forensics Course for 2023 PRO: CFCT+

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4.2
(328)

Start Computer Forensics Career now and see your Growth step by step and Unlock your potential. Digital Forensics Police...

15. Excel Data Analytics in AML Financial Intelligence Analysis

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4.5
(1,254)

Applying Excel Data Analytics in Anti-Money Laundering/Combating Financing of Terrorism Analysis & Investigations...

16. Forensic Psychology - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE

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4.6
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Become a specialist in criminal investigations and forensic profiling, start your career and add certificate to resume!...

17. Financial Accounting & Excel-Comprehensive Accounting Course

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4.3
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Comprehensive accounting course to learn the accounting cycle in a practical way and pick up critical Excel fundamentals...

18. Principles of Financial Accounting

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4.5
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Learn the complete accounting cycle -recording business transactions to presenting the Balance Sheet & Income Statement...

19. Financial Accounting: A Comprehensive Guide with E-book

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Unlock Financial Accounting Mastery: Comprehensive Course for Students, Professionals, and Business Owners...

20. Computer Forensics and Digital Forensics Masterclass 2023+

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4.2
(303)

Learn computer forensics, digital forensics, mobile forensics, windows forensics, linux forensics and other forensics...

Top 10 most affordable universities for investigation clerks

The most affordable schools for investigation clerks are SUNY Farmingdale, usf sarasota-manatee, and california state university - dominguez hills.

If the best universities for investigation clerks are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for investigation clerks.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

3. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

7. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

8. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for investigation clerks

The hardest universities for investigation clerks to get into are Boston University, Northwestern University, and George Washington University, The.

Some great schools for investigation clerks are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for investigation clerks based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

4. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

5. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

6. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

7. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

9. University of Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,300

10. American University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,320

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for investigation clerks

The easiest schools for investigation clerks to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, nyack college, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an investigation clerk without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for investigation clerks.

1. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

2. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

5. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

6. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

7. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

8. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

9. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

10. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

Average investigation clerk salary by education level

Investigation clerks with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $76,696 annually. With a Doctorate degree, investigation clerks earn a median annual income of $71,468 compared to $63,003 for investigation clerks with an Bachelor's degree.
Investigation clerk education levelInvestigation clerk salary
Master's Degree$76,696
High School Diploma or Less$50,785
Bachelor's Degree$63,003
Doctorate Degree$71,468
Some College/ Associate Degree$54,255

Investigation clerk education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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