How to become a DEA Agent

1) Earn a bachelor's degree (required). Specialized consideration is given to applicants with a bachelors degree in criminal justice
2) Review the additional requirements below to make sure you qualify
3) For application materials call 1-202-307-4077

DEA Special Agents come from a variety of backgrounds and enforce controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States of America.  DEA Agents bring to justice the organizations that are involved in terrorism, controlled substance growing, manufacturing and distribution.  To accomplish this DEA Agents work to dismantle drug trafficking rings, prosecute drug traffickers and destroy the financial infrastructure of the organizations involved in drug trafficking. 

DEA Special Agent Qualifications

To apply and be considered for a job as a DEA Agent one must be a U.S. Citizen, in excellent physical condition, 21 years of age and no older than 36 years of age, a bachelor’s degree is required and special consideration is given to those applicants that possess degrees in Criminal Justice / Police Science or a related field.  Finance, accounting, economics and foreign language degrees are also receive special consideration.

Request free information from Kaplan University to learn how a degree in criminal justice will help you succeed as a DEA Agent.

DEA Agent Training

The DEA Agent training facility is located in Quantico, Virginia and is used by both the FBI and DEA for training their agents.  New agents attend training for 16 weeks where they are educated in report writing, law, drug recognition, leadership and ethics.  New DEA Agents are also trained in marksmanship, weapons safety, tactical shooting and deadly force decision making.

DEA Agent Salary

New DEA Agents are hired on at the GS-7 ($35,369 to $44,729) or GS-9 ($39,448 to $50,905) level depending on experience and education.  Within three years it is very possible to reach the GS-12 pay level. 

Request free, no obligation information from the fully accredited degree programs below and learn more about how these degrees will help you succeed in a DEA Agent career.

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Online Criminal Justice and Related Degrees

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Click Here to request free information from all of our Criminal Justice Degree Programs

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starUniversity of Phoenix Online:

Associates of Arts Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice

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starKaplan University:

BS in Criminal Justice
Advanced BS in Criminal Justice

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Click here for more Criminal Justice Degree Programs