fbi special agent
Pop Quiz: How many departments comprise our country’s Department of Justice? Give up? The answer is six, with the most glamorized being the Federal Bureau of Investigations, also known as the FBI. Despite being a constant source of inspiration for Hollywood filmmakers, the FBI is a dedicated law enforcement agency comprised of real-life professionals focused on upholding and protecting this nation’s laws on a national level. So what does it take to become a member of one of the most recognized agencies in the world? Let’s start with the bare-bones minimum.
Minimum Qualifications for Special Agents
Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for the position:
1. Be a United States citizen or a citizen of the Northern Mariana Islands.
2. Be completely available for assignment anywhere in the FBI’s geographic jurisdiction.
3. Be at least 23 years of age but not yet 37 at the time of hire (due to the length of time it takes to test, process and hire new agents, it is advisable not to begin testing if an applicant is over 36 ½ years of age).
4. Possess a valid driver’s license.
5. Be deemed by the FBI’s Chief Medical Officer to be physically able to engage in firearms use, raids, defensive tactics and other essential functions of the job.
6. Possess a bachelor’s degree from a four-year program at a college or university that is certified by one of the six regional accrediting bodies of the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. (www.fbi.gov)
Once you’ve decided that this is the career for you, the first step is to obtain the proper education. Below is a list of schools qualified to supply you with the educational tools needed to begin your journey towards a decorated career within the FBI.
Atlanta
Georgia State University
Clark Atlanta University
Chicago
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles
UCLA
New York
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
For more information about the FBI, visit www.fbi.gov.
