2 answers
melanie
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
1
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How do you get into the BAU or CIA in the FBI and how long does it take to get into?
What majors or credits do you need to be in the FBI?
#fall22
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2 answers
Daniel Dunnigan
Lieutenant
8
Answers
Corona, California
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
A lot federal FBI agents have law degrees. I would imagine getting into the BAU takes many years of training once hired by the FBI and a background in some type of psychology.
Michelle Flahive-LeFebvre
Latent Print Examiner
63
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El Paso, Texas
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
In order for the FBI to investigate the various crimes they do; they prefer having agents who have different degrees, meaning not all will have law degrees. They look for individuals who are lawyers, doctors, nurses, engineers (in various fields), accounting and other technical areas. Psychology degrees are preferred for the BAU, usually those who have been in clinical careers where they have dealt with various mental health patients/clients and with various ranges of acute behaviors and diagnoses.
The reason for such focused degrees allows the agents to be able to apprehend offenders within those fields; or they identify other potential crimes that the offender committed. For example: Al Capone evaded taxes and possibly had many individuals killed, but they lacked evidence on those killings. So, he was apprehended for the crimes he did commit and was found guilty of tax evasion. That was how they justified locking him up.
They do have agents that are basically law enforcement officers, but all agents have degrees, preferably master's and Ph.D in the fields they excel at or worked in. I hope that helps you map out your educational goals and future in the FBI. Best of luck.
The reason for such focused degrees allows the agents to be able to apprehend offenders within those fields; or they identify other potential crimes that the offender committed. For example: Al Capone evaded taxes and possibly had many individuals killed, but they lacked evidence on those killings. So, he was apprehended for the crimes he did commit and was found guilty of tax evasion. That was how they justified locking him up.
They do have agents that are basically law enforcement officers, but all agents have degrees, preferably master's and Ph.D in the fields they excel at or worked in. I hope that helps you map out your educational goals and future in the FBI. Best of luck.