Students are now able to complete a master’s degree in economic crime investigation online and learn a wide range of high-tech methods. Courses may blend criminal justice and instruction in criminology with computer information systems training, as well as the analysis of different types of evidence.

While some master’s degree programs specifically focus on economic crime investigation, other programs that are available include a Science in Digital Forensics program, which emphasizes fraud management.

A few institutes that offer these programs also offer certain specialization alternatives within the program, such as criminal justice, computing, forensic science and legal studies. Most of these programs do not require any additional education prerequisites that would hamper admissions, apart from an undergraduate degree.

Graduate-level economic crime investigation programs may include courses such as wireless systems forensics and security, legal concepts of a financial investigation, advanced computer security systems, fraud investigation strategies and methods, and economic crime investigations research and analytical techniques

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates who earn a master’s degree in economic crime investigation often choose to enter an investigative career that involves finance, such as becoming a government accountant, forensic investigator, forensic accountant or internal auditor.

Most economic crime investigators end up working in more than a few fields that include information systems, security and forensics. Investigators who concentrate on white collar-type crimes often end up working for financial institutions, government, retail merchandising, law enforcement, or they become self-employed.

Investigators who work for the government earned an average annual salary of $50,600 in 2009. The average annual salary of investigators who actively worked in the field of scientific and technical consulting was $90,030 in the same year.

Finding a suitable college or organization that offers a master’s degree in economic crime investigation is easy to do online. Everything, from the application to completing the degree program by way of distance learning can be done online. It has never been easier to obtain a degree in economic crime investigation or management.

Vera Mosley is an expert on accounting and economic crime and works closely with many universities to help educate readers on the career possibilities and educational opportunities available. She frequently writes about topics related to education and the classroom with a focus on fraud prevention. This article was provided by Utica College, which offers an online master's degree program in economic crime management and fraud prevention at www.onlineuticacollege.com/programs/exec-master-crime-management.asp.