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How to Become a Secret Service Agent

1) Earn a 4-year degree in any subject (Required) The most common degree is a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, which will give you a foundation in law, criminal theory and related areas pertinent to a career with the Secret Service.
2) Review the additional requirements below to make sure you qualify.
3) View the United States Secret Service website application page, download the application forms and follow the directions for filling them out and submitting your application. The website is: secretservice.gov/opportunities_forms.shtml

Secret Service Agent Job Information

Secret Service Agents work under the Department of Homeland Security.  Prior to 2003 the Secret Service used to fall under the department of the treasury.  Secret Service Agents still have primary jurisdiction over counterfeiting of US currency, treasury bonds and notes.  Secret Service Agents are best known for the protective services provided for the President and Vice- President of the United States as well as their families.  Secret Service Agents also provide protective detail for past presidents, their spouses, foreign heads of state and some candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States.  Secret Service Agents also investigate fraud, identity theft and sometimes works with local law enforcement to investigate local crimes.

Qualifications and Requirements to Become a Secret Service Agent

Request information from University of Phoenix to learn how a bachelor's degree can help you succeed in a Secret Service Agent career.

A Secret Service Agent applicant must possess a 4-year college degree, Must be at least 21 years of age and no older than 37 years of age, three years of work experience In criminal investigation or law enforcement, and most importantly a combination of education and work experience, 20/20 vision (corrective eye surgeries ok), excellent health, and a background investigation.

Get a four-year college degree in any subject but a degree in criminal justice or related field will give you a leg up on the competition.

New secret service agents spend 11 weeks in Glynco, Georgia or Artesia, New Mexico at the Law Enforcement Training Center. After completion of these 11 weeks agents spend an additional 11 weeks training at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland.

Secret Service Agent Salary and Job Outlook

New secret service agents are hired on at the GS-5, GS-7 or GS-9 government payscale depending on education and or prior work experience.  Job opportunities in the secret service field are projected to grow along with the average in the law enforcement field.  Secret Service jobs are competitive so anything that sets an applicant apart is very important including fluency in a foreign language and education.

Request free info from the fully accredited criminal justice schools below to learn more about how a degree in criminal justice or a related degree will help you succeed in a Secret Service career.

Online Criminal Justice Degrees

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

University of Phoenix Online:

Kaplan University:

BS in Criminal Justice

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