FBI Education Requirements & Suggestions
The FBI may claim that any four year college degree is enough schooling to become an agent, but that doesn't mean that all college degrees are valued the same in their eyes. In fact, the FBI has stated that attaining an educational
background in the field of engineering, computer science, behavioral sciences, business, and information technology highly favors applicants simply because those areas of study are most applicable to the goals and objectives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If your desire is to become a special agent that works in the field (as seen in many popularTV shows and movies), then you would fare better pursuing a higher education in either a foreign language, accounting, computer forensics, law, or possibly criminal justice. Since the FBI primarily deals with conducting investigations and problem solving, it is imperative to master effective study habits and develop strong critical thinking skills which will be applied on a daily basis. Try to work in various group projects throughout your schooling so that you gain invaluable experience working and collaborating with other people, as well as learn how to communicate effectively.
What You Can Do:
- Develop good study habits and strive for a GPA of at least 3.5 or better
- Participate in group projects and enhance your verbal communication skills
- Take at least one criminal justice course
- Take at least one foreign language class (consider minoring in a language)
- Take at least one psychology or public relations class
- Learn the pertinent background info about the FBI, such as their motto, history, and goals
- Attain a bachelor's degree, preferably in one of these education fields:
- Accounting*
- Behavioral science
- Computer science*
- Criminal Justice
- Engineering
- Human resources
- Information technology*
- Mechanics [automotive]
- Law*
- Foreign language*, preferably in one of the following:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Farsi
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Japanese
- Korean
- Pashtu
- Punjabi
- Russian
- Spanish
- Urdu
- Vietnamese
- Pursue a masters degree in one of the fields listed above
*Required in order to become a special agent, or any college degree plus 2-4 years of related work experience