Best Degrees for FBI Agents
If you’ve ever watched crime dramas, you’ve probably noticed that the FBI plays a big part in solving crimes. FBI agents lead a dangerous yet very challenging life. Becoming an FBI agent requires a degree and some special training. If this is something that interests you, read on and learn more about this career. You’ll also find a list of some of the best degrees for FBI agents, many of which can be done online.
15 Best Degrees for FBI Agents
When choosing a degree, there are various things you want to keep in mind. Make sure the program is accredited. Accreditation may not seem important to you, but it could make a difference to a potential employer. Is the tuition affordable? Does the school offer scholarships?
Does the program offer you the type of training and courses that you need to become an FBI Agent? What type of degree do you want to pursue, and does it line up with your career aspirations? With these facts in mind, here is a list of what we consider 15 of the best degrees for FBI agents.
- Criminal Justice
- Cybersecurity
- Computer Science
- Forensic Science
- Forensic Accounting
- Finance
- Public Safety Administration
- Psychology
- Law
- Sociology
- Public Security
- Foreign Language
- Criminology
- Political Science
- International Studies
1. Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice is a field that’s very popular among law enforcement and FBI agents because it teaches students the process of arresting, prosecuting, and convicting a criminal. It also teaches them how the criminal justice system works. A criminal justice degree prepares students to work as profilers, crime analysts, or as field agents.
Why it’s the best: It’s available online, and it covers a wide range of criminal justice and law enforcement areas.
2. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is probably one of the best degrees for FBI agents because it teaches students about security and working with online systems. The internet is huge today and loaded with hacks, viruses, and malware. A cybersecurity degree prepares students with the skill and knowledge to diagnose problems and prevent them from happening in the future.
Why it’s the best: It’s offered through distance learning at many colleges and is an affordable program. Graduates of this major may work in various areas, including counterintelligence or intelligence analysis.
3. Computer Science
Computer Science is another popular degree choice for aspiring FBI agents. It’s particularly beneficial for agents interested in working in counterintelligence. With almost everything computerized today, a degree in computer science can offer many career opportunities. Students also learn how to submit, maintain, and secure confidential files.
Why it’s the best – Many colleges offer computer science programs online. This is another field that offers many areas of concentration, such as cybersecurity, law enforcement, forensics, and more.
4. Forensic Science
Forensic science is also probably one of the best degrees for FBI agents. Students learn how to examine and store evidence without contaminating it. They also learn how to test evidence and interpret what it represents or means. A graduate of the degree may be able to work as a field agent gathering evidence and in the lab studying the evidence.
Why it’s the best: Forensic scientists may have several roles as FBI agents because this degree covers so many areas of law enforcement. This is offered as an online program so students can work while earning the degree.
5. Forensic Accounting
Forensic accounting may be a field unfamiliar to many, but it’s a field that is highly beneficial to the FBI. There are many crimes committed over the internet with most of them involving money. Forensic accountants are professionals that detect and solve financial crimes using both investigative and accounting techniques.
Why it’s the best – It’s offered online, and it’s a field that can lead to good-paying jobs. Many online forensic accounting programs can be completed in less than four years.
6. Finance
You wouldn’t think finance has much to do with law enforcement, but it can play a big part in many crimes. A finance degree prepares students for careers in finance or in forensic accounting. Students learn not just about finance and money but also about legal issues. Graduates of this degree may find work in many fields, including as an FBI agent. Read our article on if a finance degree is worth it for even more evidence as to the benefits of this program.
Why it’s the best: It’s offered as an online program with flexible options. It’s an affordable program for many programs.
7. Public Safety Administration
Public Safety Administration degrees are the ideal choice for FBI agents who want to work with analysts working on improving public safety or in administration positions. Students learn about strategic planning, public policies, and risk management. Graduates gain the skills needed to work in positions dealing the public safety as well as in counter-terrorism work. They also learn how their decisions affect the public.
Why it’s the best – This is one of the easier degrees to work in the FBI, but it offers good career opportunities. It’s offered as an affordable program and an online program.
8. Psychology
A psychology degree is a very good choice for an aspiring FBI agent. Its focus is on how the mind and behavior connect. The psychologist’s knowledge can help them recognize certain behavior patterns in criminals. They learn about issues with the brain and thought process. Graduates can work as psychologists, behavior analysts, profilers, or field agents.
Why it’s the best: There are many online psychology programs that are flexible enough that you can also work. Psychology majors are valuable to the FBI.
9. Law
A law degree is also a great choice if you want to work in the FBI. Law students learn how the criminal justice system works, and the various laws in place today. A law degree also provides students with experience working with crime analysts or criminal profilers. There are also online LLM degrees which give a good taste of the legal field but don’t lead to becoming a lawyer that can be a good segue to working in the FBI.
Why it’s the best: Except for some testing, a large portion of a law degree can be completed online. Law degrees offer various areas of concentration, so students can find the major that coincides with the area of FBI work they wish to do.
10. Sociology
A sociology degree works well with an FBI career. The program teaches students how groups and social institutions join in a society and what type of patterns they follow. This can be very helpful in an FBI job. A sociology student in the FBI can analyze an individual or group’s behavior and make predictions relating to crimes and criminal behavior. This is especially true in the counter-terrorism department.
Why it’s the best: There are many online sociology programs with various areas of study that fit well with the FBI. A sociology degree can lead to careers in several fields.
11. Public Security
A public safety degree is a popular degree for not just FBI agents but anyone wishing to work for the public. It’s also a degree that offers many areas of specialization, such as law enforcement tactics, disaster management, and public safety policy, among other things.
Why it’s the best: This degree can be earned online in less time than at a regular college. Graduates of this degree program usually experience positive job growth because this field offers many public safety jobs, including law enforcement professionals like FBI agents.
12. Foreign Language
Foreign Language is a degree not typically thought about in terms of a career as an FBI agent, but knowing different languages can be a bonus for an FBI agent. Students learn to write, speak, and read in a language other than their native language. The most common are Spanish, Mandarin and Arabic. The FBI has a fairly high demand for agents who can speak more than one language. It allows them to investigate international threats and communicate with foreign diplomats.
Why it’s the best: Foreign language degree programs are available online at many colleges, and they’re very affordable programs. The ability to know foreign languages is a bonus on anyone’s resume.
13. Criminology
Like a sociologist, a criminology degree is about criminal behavior. It teaches students how to study criminal behavior and analyze different personality traits that help determine why people commit crimes. By having this knowledge, they can help to prevent crimes. FBI agents with a major in criminology have the option to specialize in different areas such as criminal profiling or forensic psychology.
Why it’s the best: A criminology degree is a good choice because it offers an FBI agent many career choices. It’s also a popular online choice for someone interested in law enforcement.
14. Political Science
Political Science is a field that offers many career opportunities, including working for the FBI. The curriculum teaches students about the administration of justice, political philosophies, voting behavior, and law enforcement policies.
Why it’s the best: This field is offered through distance learning in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. It’s a program that can be taken at your own pace.
15. International Studies
An International Studies degree is not a well-known degree but it’s a beneficial degree for FBI agents who work internationally. The program teaches them about foreign policies, U.S. laws overseas, and how to handle a situation where a U.S. law is broken by an international individual or company. An FBI agent with an international studies degree can help break through the red tape and prevent additional laws from being broken. This degree program also teaches students different languages.
Why it’s the best: The widespread use of the internet has put international studies degree holders very much in demand. The program is also offered online.
Admission Requirements
Online degree programs generally have fewer admission requirements, but they still have some admission requirements. Applicants must have completed the required amount of courses like math, English, sciences, and fine arts. The specific courses will vary by school and program. They must also have a high school diploma with a high GPA and be able to submit transcripts and test scores. Students enrolling in an online program must submit a completed application.
Why an Online Program
Online programs are very popular today for various reasons. They’re often more affordable than on-campus programs. You can attend any college that offers an online program without having to worry about living in that state. Online programs also offer convenience and flexibility that you won’t find with on-campus programs. This is especially true with an FBI or law enforcement program. To become an FBI agent, you must have at least two years of work experience. Online programs allow you to gain work experience while earning your degree.
Getting Started
Becoming an FBI agent can be a big career move. Many people think if they’re already a police officer they can just transfer to the FBI division. Unfortunately, there is a lot more to becoming an FBI agent than that. At the very least, the individual needs at least a bachelor’s degree. Of the many applicants the FBI receives every year, only a small amount is actually accepted, which is why it’s so important to know the steps and requirements towards becoming an FBI and follow them to the letter.
- Must be U.S. Citizen
- Must be at least 23 but younger than 36 when applying
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Must have at least two years of full-time work experience in law enforcement
- Must meet the agency’s physical fitness requirements
- Must pass a criminal background check and a drug test
- Must have the FBI’s Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information Clearance
Some of the requirements are easy to satisfy right away. The degree is the first real step towards becoming an FBI agent. The FBI isn’t too particular about the major you choose to study. Some common degree majors are computer science, Homeland Security, criminal justice, cybersecurity, sociology, forensic science, law enforcement, and more. Research the various programs and concentrations to find the one that best meets your career goals.