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What You Need To Know Now!
Starts March 27, 2021 and ends Nov 8, 2021. Class is online with multiple Zoom meetings. Click any link above for full details, registration info or to view a comprehensive brochure. Or call Program Director Tami Russell at 940.783.7270, email is trussell@pdi.org.
About the Private Investigation Certificate Program
Work with educators and field experts – including Executive Director Dr. Scott Belshaw, while earning the Certificate in Professional Private Investigations from PDI of the University of North Texas. This exciting 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 10 classes over 33 weeks, including special topics. The program is exclusively online. Call for complete details.
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)
Questions About the Program or About Financial Assistance?
If you have any questions, please contact Tami Russell at 940.783.7270 or trussell@pdi.org.
A person may be eligible to sit for the licensing exam, provided he/ she meets one of the following five criteria:
For more details on the qualifications, view the Texas Administrative Code
Program Executive Director
Dr. Belshaw holds a Ph.D. in Juvenile Criminal Justice and is Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of North Texas. He owned a private investigations firm licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. His primary investigative experience is in criminal investigations. He is an expert in the field of criminal mitigation and investigations.
Ms. Hewitt is a UNT graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and is a Texas Licensed Private Investigator. She spend years as a criminal investigator and as a staff investigator with a civil law firm. She graduated from East Texas Police Academy and has her Basic and Intermediate Peace Officer certificates. She served as President and Chairman of the Board of Texas Association of Licensed Investigators, is a member of the Public Affairs and Community Service board of UNT. She obtained the distinction of Texas Certified Investigator.
Mr. Ramirez, QL TT University of Oxford, Ox Brooks, has taught law, as an adjunct law professor, at Texas Southern University’s law school for several years. In the past 15 years of academic instruction, he has published numerous law review articles, and presented papers for peer review. He is the author of the “Texas Traffic Ticket Dismissal” book, currently available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. One of his academic articles was recently cited by the Tennessee Supreme Court, in a published state decision regarding effective assistance of counsel. With regards to criminal law, he has been a Chief Prosecutor, a Chief Public Defender in Webb County, as well as Chief of the Harris County Public Defenders Mental Health Division. With regards to civil and business matters, he has held the position of corporate counsel for the Texas Mexican Railway, as well as other transportation and fortune 500 companies. He has also represented investigatory and security entities, during his extensive legal career. He currently practices civil and criminal law in Houston, Texas and holds the position of chief counsel to the Mexican American Sheriffs Association in Harris County, Texas.
Mr. Wall has a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas. He is a lecturer at the University of North Texas and was formerly an adjunct instructor at Tarrant County College. He is also a retired police officer with more than 28 years service with the Grapevine and Haltom City Police Departments. His law enforcement experience includes investigations, crime scene search, traffic investigation and reconstruction. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Criminology at the University of Texas-Dallas.
Steve Tapper is Manager and President of Hewitt & Cowden Investigations. A native of San Diego, CA., Steve has more than 23 years experience as a licensed Private Investigator in California and Texas. He has an Associate’s Degree in the Administration of Justice from Grossmont College, San Diego, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Military Police Academy in Fort McClelland, AL. He served in the Military Police at Fort Sill, OK. He has a business management background as well as experience in surveillance, videotaping, domestic, criminal defense, child custody, insurance fraud, sexual and physical abuse, lost and missing persons, asset search and missing heirs. He is a member of Texas Association of Private Investigators.
Read About Ongoing Project From Director Dr. Scott Belshaw
