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.

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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

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starUniversity of Phoenix Online:

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

Click Here for information about University of Phoenix's Programs.

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

BSCJ - Homeland Security
BSCJ - Crime and Criminals
BSCJ - Computer Information Systems & Security
BS CIS - Information Systems Security
BS CIS - Human Computer Interaction
BS CIS - Self Designed
MPA - Homeland Security and Policy Coordination
M.S. in Psychology - Terrorism and Security
M.S. in Psychology - Crisis Management and Response
M.I.S.M - Enterprise Information Security

Click Here to learn more about Walden University's programs today.

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starCapella 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 Criminal Justice
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Criminal Justice
MS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Public Safety Leadership
PhD Programs - Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, and Public Safety Leadership

Click Here for information about Capella's CJ and Public Safety programs.

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Florida Tech University Online:

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

Click Here for information about Florida Tech University's Criminal Justice programs.

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University of the Rockies:

Master of Arts in Psychology - Criminology and Justice Studies
Doctor of Psychology - Criminology and Justice Studies

Click Here for information about the programs offered at the University of the Rockies.

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Virginia College Online:

AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Cybersecurity

Click Here for information about Virginia College's CJ and related programs.

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American InterContinental University:

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

Click Here for information about AIU's Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement programs.

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Kaplan University:

AAS in Criminal Justice
AASCJ - Corrections, Law Enforcement, Private Security
BS in Criminal Justice
BSCJ - Law Enforcement, Computer Crime, Corrections, Homeland Security...
MS in Criminal Justice
MS in Criminal Justice Global Issues

Click Here for information about Kaplan University's school of Criminal Justice programs.

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Strayer University: Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

B.S. in Criminal Justice: Computer Security and Forensics
B.S. in IS: Computer Security
B.S. in Accounting
B.S. in IS: Security Administration

Click Here to request information about Strayer University's programs.

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Herzing University:

AS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Homeland Security

Click Here for information about Herzing's online programs.

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ITT Technical Institute: Online Criminal Justice and Information Technology Degree programs. ITT is accreditated by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS is recognized as an independent accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

AA - Computer Forensics
AA - Criminal Justice
BS - Information Systems Security
BS - Cyber Security
BS - Criminal Justice

Click Here to learn more about the ITT Technical Institute programs.

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Colorado Technical University Online:

AS in Criminal Justice - Stonecliffe College Online
BS in Financial Forensics
BS in Criminal Justice
MS in Management - Criminal Justice

Click Here for information about CTU's Criminal Justice programs.

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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

Click Here for information about Concord's Law Degree Programs.

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Everest University Online:

Criminal Investigations Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Associate's Degree
Homeland Security Bachelor's Degree
Criminal Justice Associate's Degree
Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree

Click Here for information about Everest University's online programs.

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Keiser University Online :

AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Master's in Criminal Justice

Click Here for information about Keiser's programs.

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Rasmussen College Online:

Associate's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
Associate's in Criminal Justice
AACJ - Corrections
AACJ - Crime Scene Evidence
AACJ - Law Enforcement
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Click Here for information about Rasmussen College's programs.

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