Interested in Becoming an FBI Agent?

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents are the Government’s principal investigators, responsible for investigating violations of more than 200 categories of Federal law and conducting sensitive national security investigations.

Agents may conduct surveillance, monitor court-authorized wiretaps, examine business records, investigate white-collar crime, or participate in sensitive undercover assignments. The FBI investigates organized crime, public corruption, financial crime, and fraud against the Government, bribery, copyright infringement, civil rights violations, bank robbery, extortion, kidnapping, air piracy, terrorism, espionage, interstate criminal activity, drug trafficking, and other violations of Federal statutes.

To be considered for appointment as an FBI agent, an applicant must be a graduate of an accredited law school or degree with a major in engineering, or information technology. Additionally, there are FBI degree programs and criminal justice degrees that will give you the knowledge and training you need to join the ranks of the FBI. All new agents undergo 18 weeks of training at the FBI Academy on the U.S. Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia.

The following schools offer accredited criminal justice degrees which can help you gain the skills to become an FBI Agent:

We recommend getting information from several schools so you can compare the programs, costs, time commitments and financial aid options.

Walden University

• B.S. in Criminal Justice - Crime and Criminals

As an accredited institution with 40 years of experience, Walden has graduated more than 31,000 alumni, all of whom now have the credentials and desire to make a real difference and be a force for good.

University of Phoenix

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration

With convenient class locations as well as online learning, University of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible. For those seeking a Criminal Justice education, University of Phoenix can help you reach your goal while you work—and much sooner than you might expect.

Kaplan University

• B.S. in Criminal Justice/Home Security & Counterterrorism

Examine the roots of terrorism; response methods to WMD or disaster incidents; crisis negotiation; and conflict resolution. Prepare for careers in law enforcement, security and government agencies, disaster relief agencies, corrections, private investigation and more.

University of the Rockies

Master of Arts in Psychology, Criminology and Justice Studies

Take your education to the next level by following an advanced track of courses and seminars in correctional philosophy, law enforcement, victimology, juvenile delinquency, and modern theories of crime.

Grand Canyon University

• Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Legal Studies

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Legal Studies is designed for students seeking to expand their understanding of the law, social order, and justice.

There are online degree programs that will teach you about the US criminal justice system, criminal law and procedure and other topics relevant to your work with the FBI. You can earn an online criminal justice degree in just two years, then start your lifetime career with the FBI!

Earnings
Federal special agents and inspectors receive law enforcement availability pay (LEAP) - equal to 25 percent of the agent’s grade and step - awarded because of the large amount of overtime that these agents are expected to work. For example, in 2005, FBI agents entered Federal service as GS-10 employees on the pay scale at a base salary of $42,548, yet they earned about $53,185 a year with availability pay. They could advance to the GS-13 grade level in field non-supervisory assignments at a base salary of $64,478, which was worth $80,597 with availability pay.

Job Outlook
The growing emphasis on homeland security has created an unprecedented demand for criminal justice and security professionals. The U.S. Department of Labor predicted that by 2010 there will be more than a 29% increase in the demand for Homeland Security Officials, FBI Officers, Police Officers, Private Detectives, U.S. Customs Agents and many others.

Related Entries:

• What is FBI Due Process for a Suspected Terrorist in Custody?
  The specifics around procedures for detaining an enemy combatant in the U.S. we recently made clear by the president's top counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan in an interview discussing the attempted attack on the Northwest airline in December, 2009.
• Employment Opportunities in Homeland Security on the Rise
• Combat Terror with a Homeland Security Career

Find out more about your criminal justice degree.