• FBI Special Agent Interview
• Recent FBI Agent Desired Skill Sets
• FBI Career Tracking Article
• Online Criminal Justice Degrees
• Official FBI Website

How to Become an FBI Agent

1) A Bachelor's Degree is required (Common degrees for FBI Agents to posses are Computer Forensics, Information Security, Computer Crime/Cyber Crime, Biology, and Criminal Justice Degree ) Currently, the most desired skill set for special agents is in the computer forensics, information security and cyber crime area. These applicants have the greatest chance of being hired by the FBI without additional work experience.
2) Review the requirements and qualifications below to make sure you qualify
3) Go to the FBI Web site and find the Special Agent Employment section where you will find application information as well as FBI field office contact information.
4) Find your local FBI field office and contact them for more application and testing information.

Find Online Schools with Criminal Justice and Related Bachelor's Degrees

FBI Special Agent  Job Information

The FBI was founded in 1908 and has, since then, evolved into the one of the most specialized and sophisticated investigative agencies in the world.  The primary goal of the FBI is to provide national security to the citizens of the United States.  The FBI’s major investigative priorities are counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cyber security, public corruption, civil rights, organized crime, white collar crime, major thefts and violent crimes.  An FBI Special Agent’s primary role is as an investigator and to provide criminal justice and leadership services to federal, state, county, and international law enforcement agencies.  In the majority of cases the FBI Special Agent assisting another agency will not usually be involved in the arrest and prosecution phase of law enforcement.  Many times the FBI Special Agent will have moved on to a new investigation before an arrest has officially taken place.  Most importantly, special agents are responsible for protecting the United States from terrorist and foreign intelligence threats.  The Special Agent job is not a typical 9-5 job.  It can require many hours away from home and family, sometimes weeks on end during an investigation.  Though being an FBI Special Agent is a very demanding job, the challenges and rewards are well worth all the work and family time can always be found.

FBI Special Agent Job Qualification Requirements

The application process is rigorous and competitive and some of the best advice out there  is to have a skill that sets you apart from the other applicants, like speaking another language fluently, having specialized computer skills or to have an advanced college degree.  The specific qualification requirements for an FBI Special Agent are: Must be a United States Citizen, must be between 23 and 37 years of age, an accredited four-year college or university degree (no exceptions), three years professional work experience, have a valid driver’s license and be available for assignment anywhere in the FBI’s jurisdiction.  FBI Special Agent applicants must also meet FBI physical requirements and an in-depth background check.  When all these qualification requirements are met the new special agent will attend an intensive 22-week training program at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

What Salary Can an FBI Special Agent Expect to Make the First Year?

An entry level FBI Special Agent can expect to earn about $51,000 a year while in training at Quantico, VA.  A Special Agent in their first field office assignment after training will earn between $61,000 and $69,900 depending where they are stationed. With experience and an advanced education an FBI Special Agent can earn significantly more. 

4-Year College or University Degree Requirement

The FBI does not have a preference for educational background or what an applicant’s four-year degree is in.  Though, an education that develops analytical and research skills is desirable.  Example degrees the FBI mentions on their website are a law degree, an accounting degree or an engineering degree.  Many colleges and universities have developed specialized criminal justice and homeland security degree programs to prepare students for jobs with agencies like the FBI.  The following schools offer 4-year degrees in criminal justice, homeland security, accounting, engineering and Concord University is an online law school.

Online Criminal Justice and Related Degrees for FBI Careers

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Short on time? Click Here to request free information from all of the fully accredited Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Liberty University Online: Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The Online Education Database has ranked Liberty University among the top 10 online colleges in the nation for two years in a row.

Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Walden University Online: Regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, which is one of six accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

B.S. in CJ - Homeland Security
B.S. in CJ - Management & Administration
B.S. in CJ - Crime and Criminals
B.S. in CJ - Information Systems Security
M.I.S.M. - Enterprise Information Security
M.P.A. - Homeland Security, Law and Public Policy, or Local Government Mgmt
M.S. in Psychology - Terrorism & Security or Crisis Mgmt and Response
Ph.D. in Human Services - CJ
Ph.D. in Public Policy & Admin - CJ, Homeland Security Policy, or Public Safety Mgmt

University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix can help prepare you for careers in the field of criminal justice wherever you choose to reside. University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the country and is dedicated to their students.

Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
MS in Administration of Justice and Security
Information Systems Security Certificate

American InterContinental University:

Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
Bachelor's - Computer Forensics
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations

Capella University: The FBI considers Capella University to be a preferred provider of higher education for the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA). There are only a handful of schools that hold this distinction.

BS in Public Safety - Criminal Justice
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
BS in Public Safety - Homeland Security
BS in Public Safety - Security Management

Request free information from Capella University to learn more.

Colorado Technical University Online:

AS in Criminal Justice - Stonecliffe College Online
AS in Paralegal Studies
BS in Criminal Justice

Concord Law School: Concord Law School is the first institution to offer a Juris Doctor (JD) degree earned wholly online via state-of-the-art technology. With the latest Internet-adaptive technologies, the Concord program offers excellent course instruction combined with maximum flexibility, specifically designed to fit into today's busy lifestyles.

Juris Doctor Program
Executive JD Program