what college course to be an fbi agent

by Alessia Kuhlman 4 min read

All FBI agents must hold a bachelor's degree at minimum, and many possess a master's degree or higher. FBI agents often earn degrees in fields such as criminal justice or political science, though the Bureau does not maintain any specific academic major requirements for applicants.Jul 8, 2021

What is the best major to become a FBI agent?

Apr 05, 2022 · You can also qualify with a graduate degree and 1-2 years of experience, according to the official Federal Bureau of Investigation website. Your options for FBI degrees depend on what role you’d like to fill in the agency. For example, FBI agents working in cyber security have degrees in: computer science; engineering; IT; math

What college do FBI agents go to?

To become an FBI agent, it is necessary to obtain a Bachelor's degree and gain 3 years of work experience or obtain a Master's degree which requires only 2 years of work experience. There is no limit to the specific field one can decide to major in …

What qualifications are needed to become a FBI agent?

Sep 24, 2020 · Graduate degrees in law or social science fields like psychology tend to make people more competitive for FBI agent positions, says Pelfrey, who has a Ph.D. in criminal justice.

What are the best colleges for FBI?

FBI Special Agent candidates are required to hold a bachelor’s degree at minimum, while the different career paths for both Special Agents and the various support professionals within the FBI draw on specialized skills and often require other specific education qualifications to be met.

What should I major in if I want to be an FBI agent?

Criminal JusticeCriminal Justice When it comes to those working at the FBI, the most common degree is a bachelor's in criminal justice. This degree gives you an overview of the tasks you will complete and how to do them.

What type of education is required to be a FBI agent?

bachelor's degreeThe minimum FBI education requirement is a bachelor's degree. Many agents possess master's degrees or higher, especially those working in leadership and technical positions. While some employers may skim over a GPA, the FBI requires a 3.0 or higher.

Do FBI agents get paid well?

Yes, FBI agents get paid moderately well. FBI agents are by no means wealthy, but they earn enough to live comfortably. They also can travel, qualify for promotions and develop their skills. FBI agents are paid according to the General Schedule (GS) payscale and receive a generous FBI agent benefits package.Feb 8, 2022

How many years of college does it take to be a FBI agent?

How Long Does It Take To Become an FBI Agent? It can take you as long as 5-6 years to become an FBI agent. After high school, you will need to spend 4 years in college to earn a bachelor's degree. Apart from this, you will spend an additional 6-12 months applying and training for the position.

How long does it take to become an FBI agent?

Training lasts 20 weeks.

How many years of experience do I need to work for the FBI?

Attaining any position with the FBI requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and three years of work experience or a graduate degree and two years of experience, according to the official Federal Bureau of Investigation website. What degree you should pursue depends on what role you would like to fill in the agency.

What do FBI agents need to be in cyber security?

For example, FBI agents in cyber security typically have an education in computer science, information technology or systems, computer or cyber security, mathematics, or a discipline of engineering.

What are the qualities of an FBI agent?

Good judgment skills: A good FBI agent has superior judgment skills. Judgment skills enable agents to solve problems in unique ways and carry out investigations that lead to arrests. Leadership skills: As an FBI agent, one must lead teams and cases. Agents must be comfortable with being visible members of teams.

How old do you have to be to be an FBI agent?

The first step in pursuing a career as an FBI agent is to hold U.S. citizenship, be between the ages of 23 and 36 years old, and have a clean criminal record with no felony charges.

How much does an FBI agent make?

In fact, data compiled from Pay Scale showed that an FBI agent with 10-19 years on the job earns an average salary of approximately $66,000 per year.

What is the job of a linguist?

The primary duties of a linguist are to use their linguistic and cultural knowledge and skills to identify suspicious communication and information. Their skills in foreign counterintelligence help solve crimes, including cases of cybercrime, hacking, and other offenses. New hires with the FBI are required to pass aptitude tests for a chosen language. Linguists often work domestically and internationally.

What degree do I need to become an FBI agent?

To name a few, a job candidate needs to possess a bachelor's degree, some post-college work experience and U.S. citizenship.

How do I become an FBI agent?

How to Become an FBI Agent and Why. To qualify for an FBI agent position, you must have a college degree, according to the law enforcement and intelligence agency. Persistence when searching for answers to puzzling questions is key component of the job. (Getty Images)

What are FBI agents expected to do?

FBI agents are expected to maintain physical fitness throughout their careers as agents, Sursi notes. Sursi says he looks for the following character traits when evaluating potential special agents: commitment to performing public service, communication skills, integrity and empathy.

What are the traits of FBI agents?

One trait that FBI agents tend to share, he says, is a desire to have a positive influence on society. "They want to feel connected to a bigger whole and a huge sense of purpose and a sense of mission.".

What attracts people to the FBI?

One thing that attracts many people to the FBI is the excitement and "variability" inherent in those careers, Pelfrey says. "That's part of what makes the FBI such an interesting agency.

How old do you have to be to retire from the FBI?

Because the mandatory retirement age for FBI special agents is 57 and agents must complete 20 years of service to qualify for retirement benefits, job applicants who previously have not worked for the FBI typically must be between 23 and 36 years old, but this rule doesn't generally apply to military veterans.

Does the FBI have a hostage rescue team?

Pelfrey notes that although the FBI does have a renowned Hostage Rescue Team, it is unlikely that any particular FBI agent will get placed on that team, and the same is true of the FBI's prestigious National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, which focuses on criminal profiling.

What is FBI agent?

FBI Agents are a skilled, talented, educated, and diverse group of individuals who possess personal integrity, professional leadership, compassion, fairness, and respect for all people of the United States. FBI Agents come from all backgrounds and areas of expertise and perform a wide range of work and missions.

What degree do you need to be a special agent?

FBI Special Agent candidates are required to hold a bachelor’s degree at minimum, while the different career paths for both Special Agents and the various support professionals within the FBI draw on specialized skills and often require other specific education qualifications to be met.

How many years of college do you need to be a SWAT team member?

In particular, all Special Agents must possess, at a minimum, a four-year degree from an accredited college or university and two years of professional work experience.

How many years of experience do you need to be a supervisory special agent?

Because of the competitive environment of this field, most individuals selected as Supervisory Special Agents have at least 8 to 10 years of experience as an FBI Special Agent. Experience as an investigator of violent crimes is one of the most important qualifications for a job as an FBI Supervisory Special Agent.

What is intelligence analyst?

Intelligence Analysts use their knowledge of language, history and culture to identify international and domestic threats. They are often found in tactical settings, where they work in investigative and operational squads; collection/reporting settings, where they must understand and assess intelligence; and strategic settings, where they must understand and study threats and trends and provide strategic analyses.

What is the role of the FBI?

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the dedicated investigative agency responsible for everything from national security and counterterrorism, to criminal investigations and law enforcement. From dismantling organized crime networks to protecting our country from terrorists, the role of the FBI is one of great importance to our nation.

How long does it take to become an intelligence analyst?

However, the minimum employment requirement for Intelligence Analyst training is a four-year undergraduate degree.

What degree do I need to become an FBI agent?

A degree in finance is another thing that can help you reach your goal of becoming an FBI agent. All organizations have a budget and need to stay on track so that they don’t go under, and the FBI is no different. A degree in finance allows you to handle the financial aspects of each field operation your division handles. You learn to anticipate and justify spending, but you also discover how to keep accurate records. Having a degree in this field makes you a valuable asset and lets you serve a central role in the enforcement of federal crimes.

What degree do I need to work for the FBI?

1. Criminal Justice. When it comes to those working at the FBI, the most common degree is a bachelor’s in criminal justice.

What is the job of an FBI agent?

The most common title at the FBI is special agent, and these experts work hard to investigate crimes and enforce laws at the federal level.

How much is cybercrime worth?

Cybercrime is so common across the globe that it has become a $600 billion industry. As people and company’s struggle to stay ahead, the cat-and-mouse game continues. As an FBI agent specializing in cybercrimes, you discourage such crimes by bringing the ones who commit them to justice.

Why do FBI agents use computers?

As technology continues to advance, more people than ever use computer systems and servers to store and retrieve data. Agents at the FBI must also use technology during their daily obligations, so knowing how to use computer systems and servers is vital.

What is public safety administration?

Rather than covering criminal investigations or red tape, this program shows you how to respond to different emergencies. If there is an active shooter or another emergency on federal property, you will learn how to secure the area and approach the situation in a way that minimizes the number of injuries or deaths.

What can I do with a forensic accounting degree?

Credit card theft, money laundering and embezzlement are among the crimes you can investigate with a degree in forensic accounting. In simple terms, you will play a vital role in bringing the perpetrators of fraud to justice. If you choose this career path, get ready to investigate financial crimes and provide the court with enough evidence to prepare a solid case. You will also go to court to testify about your findings and the conclusions you reached during your investigation.

What can I do with a degree in FBI?

A degree can help you improve reading, writing and research skills as well as a strong foundation in critical thinking, which is necessary for FBI agents.

How do I become an FBI agent?

To begin the application process to become an FBI agent, you'll need to submit a federal resume and a college transcript. You can contact a recruiter at a local FBI field office or use an online portal through the official FBI website.

What is BFTC training?

When you complete BFTC training, you're officially part of the FBI. New agents are assigned to a field office within the United States or sometimes overseas. About half of the new recruits who request a specific field office are granted their first choice. Once you move to your new location, you can begin work as an FBI agent in the field.

How long does it take to accept a physical fitness test?

Once you pass the physical fitness test, you'll receive a conditional appointment offer that you have to officially accept. You have a week to make a final decision and submit your acceptance form.

Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor's Degree

The first step in how to become an FBI agent is earning a bachelor's degree. The type of degree is up to the individual to decide, yet the FBI does desire experience and knowledge in specific areas of study. Currently, the FBI is seeking individuals who are in the following special agent candidates:

Step 2: Gain Work Experience

A key part of how to get into the FBI involves work experience. The average work experience required for a potential FBI special agent position is three years in a field related to his or her degree.

Step 3: Complete the FBI Application Process

Because of the sensitivity of FBI special agent work, all applicants must pass an extensive background check, a polygraph, and a drug test. Individuals also cannot have a felony conviction or default on student loans.

Step 4: Complete FBI Academy Training

Once an applicant has passed all the requirements and tests, he or she then must complete 20 weeks of on-campus training at the FBI Academy. This training shows individuals how to be an FBI agent. FBI special agent training consists of classroom time and hands-on instruction, such as firearm training, as well as online instruction.

How many years of college do I need to become a FBI agent?

There is no single degree that a trainee needs to successfully apply to the FBI. With very few exceptions, any four-year degree from an accredited college will be considered as long as the applicant has the kind of work experience required to apply for any open positions.

How long does it take to become an FBI agent?

The process of becoming an FBI agent i s typically something that hopeful agents undergo after they have already graduated from a four-year college, and most agents who begin training with the FBI have completed at least three or four years of work experience in their particular field.

What do FBI hopefuls need to do to enter the FBI?

FBI hopefuls who are planning to enter the bureau as employees must demonstrate work experience that pertains to the particular area of investigation or casework that they are planning to pursue within the bureau.

What is a diversified entry program?

This is known as the diversified entry program, and it is built on the understanding that skilled agents may come from a variety of backgrounds and fields of study, and that even those who did not pursue traditional law enforcement degrees during their undergraduate years may become valuable agents.

What does a law degree mean?

A law degree means that the agent is well-versed in what types of potential corruption or federal offenses may be committed. It also means that agents are also aware of the statutes of limitations as it pertains to their own department's ability to extract information from parties of interest.

What is a foreign language agent?

Agents who majored in a foreign language or multiple foreign languages may be extremely useful to the FBI in gathering intelligence, running counterintelligence operations or acting as agents placed in other nations in order to conduct surveillance on behalf of the United States. Agents must demonstrate fluency in this foreign language prior ...

How does FBI training affect security?

As FBI agents move up through the ranks of their specific discipline, they achieve additional training and additional security clearance. The longer an agent has spent with the bureau, the higher his or her security clearance. As agents' training and education in their particular field increases, they have the opportunity to take control ...

What is the FBI Academy?

It’s one of the most important missions of the FBI Academy: minting new agents. Each special agent must have the knowledge, skills, commitment, and fortitude to investigate terrorists, spies, and a raft of dangerous criminals—all while wielding their law enforcement powers with compassion for those they encounter and respect for the U.S. Constitution and the laws they enforce.

What do FBI agents do after leaving the academy?

As they leave the Academy, the new agents pick up their firearms and ammunition. They are now ready to head out to their first office of assignment and begin work as FBI special agents. They will return to the Academy often for specialized training and refresher courses throughout their careers. Applying to become an FBI Agent.

What firearms do FBI agents carry?

As part of the preparation for potential deadly force encounters, all new agent trainees currently receive training with a Bureau-issued pistol, carbine, and shotgun. The FBI’s basic law enforcement firearms training curriculum is grounded in the fundamentals of marksmanship and includes instruction on firearms safety, weapons orientations, weapon handling skills, and live fire training emphasizing marksmanship and practical shooting techniques. To demonstrate proficiency, trainees must successfully qualify with both the pistol and carbine, and participate in live-fire familiarization with the shotgun. The present firearms curriculum is comprised of 28 sessions totaling 110 hours of instruction, and includes approximately 5,000 rounds of ammunition.

How long does it take to become a new agent?

Currently, new agent training lasts approximately 20 weeks. It’s a tough regimen, but trainees don’t go it alone.

How many hours of training does a police officer receive?

Trainees also receive more than 90 hours of instruction and practical exercises focused on tactics, operations planning, operation of cooperating witnesses and informants, physical and electronic surveillance, undercover operations, and the development and dissemination of intelligence.

How many points do you need to pass the PFT?

To pass the test, trainees must achieve a minimum cumulative score of 12 points with at least one point in each of four areas: sit-ups in one minute, timed 300-meter sprint, push-ups (untimed), and timed 1.5-mile run.

What is defensive tactics training?

Defensive tactics training focuses on boxing and grappling, handcuffing, control holds, searches of subjects, weapon retention, and disarming techniques. Safe driving techniques are provided at the Academy’s Tactical Emergency Vehicle Operations Center.

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