Does The FBI Accept Online Degrees?

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, more commonly known as the FBI, is a federal government agency that seeks to protect citizens, communities, businesses, and the country from threats, including domestic and international terrorism, organized crime, cyberterrorism, public corruption, and more. The agency employs over 35,000 people in various capacities, including special agents, intelligence analysts, language specialists, IT professionals, and more.

Qualifications for jobs with the FBI vary, but most require a college degree. Whether students earn their degree online or in a traditional classroom setting, as long as it is from an accredited post-secondary institution, the FBI will accept your degree as part of the application process.

How to Find a Respectable Online Degree Program

It’s important to find a program at a respected, accredited school when seeking an online degree program. Some online institutions operate as “diploma mills,” which offer sub-standard education and award degrees with little real-world value. Most employers, including the FBI, do not accept degrees from these institutions.

The best way to determine whether an institution is a legitimate college or a diploma mill is to verify its accreditation status through an oversight body like the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Students interested in pursuing a career with the FBI should seek a regionally accredited online college, as these schools must meet the most rigorous standards for post-secondary education. Attending a non-accredited institution can not only impact your employability post-graduation, but it can also affect your eligibility for financial aid and future educational opportunities.

You’ll also want to give preference to nonprofit schools instead of those that operate for profit. For-profit schools are primarily meant to earn money for their owners or stockholders. To do this, they may cut corners when hiring faculty and supplying students with adequate support services. On the other hand, nonprofit institutions channel all their funding back into support for the school itself and generally provide better quality education to post-secondary students.

FBI Eligibility and Hiring Process

There are a few requirements that the FBI asks of all applicants. You must be a U.S. citizen in good standing, and with no felony convictions, outstanding child support payments, or unpaid taxes. You’ll need to adhere to the FBI’s drug policy and pass urinalysis and a background investigation.

From an educational standpoint, defaulting on a student loan insured by the U.S. government is not allowed. Most applicants, including FBI special agents, must have a valid four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited school and a minimum of three years of professional experience.

5 Best Degrees for the FBI

With more than 35,000 employees at hundreds of locations throughout the U.S., the FBI represents a broad range of job types. Most of these jobs call for a bachelor’s degree, but this can be either in-person or online. If you are considering a job in the FBI, the following areas of study are good options to advance your FBI career.

1. Criminal justice

A good point of entry into the FBI is a degree in criminal justice, either at the bachelor’s level or, for more advanced positions, with a master’s degree. With a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you may work as a police officer, sheriff, intelligence analyst, or special agent with the FBI. Eligibility for special agents is reserved for individuals between the ages of 23 and 36, who must have at least two years of full-time professional work experience. Special agents make an average salary of $78K to $153K annually, although supervisory special agents can make up to $170K.

Working as a special agent has perks: agents often travel or work abroad, with an opportunity for international assignments. Relocation benefits are covered, and agents are given three hours of paid time a week to exercise to ensure that they stay fit and healthy.

2. Crime scene investigation

Numerous federal agencies, including the FBI, employ crime scene investigators and forensic science technicians. In this growing field, online degrees are available at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

The FBI’s crime scene investigators may work in laboratories or at crime scenes, where they analyze and record information to help determine the crimes committed and possible suspects.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for forensic science technicians are projected to grow by 14 percent over the next decade. The median annual salary for this type of work is $64,940.

3. Homeland security

In an era of international terrorism, natural disasters, and more, the FBI is increasingly looking for individuals who have training at the bachelor’s and master’s levels in homeland security. In addition to the FBI, specialists in homeland security are often recruited by the Coast Guard, Secret Service, FEMA, Customs and Border Patrol, and other organizations within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The FBI supports the Department of Homeland Security’s mission by addressing threats in its role as the nation’s principal law enforcement agency.

4. Forensic psychology

Forensic psychology is a relatively new sub-field of psychology in which professionals apply psychological concepts within the criminal justice system. Individuals with a forensic psychology background often work as profilers, providing psychological assessments of people involved in legal cases. They typically work closely with judges and legal specialists in offices and courtrooms.

According to the BLS, psychologists who work for the government earn a median annual salary of $115,400. Employment of forensic psychologists is expected to grow by 5% through 2033. Educational requirements for this type of role vary. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry-level positions, while a master’s or a doctorate is required to become a licensed psychologist.

5. Cybersecurity

The FBI is the leading federal agency investigating cyberattacks, collecting data, working with victims, and leading initiatives designed to unmask cybercriminals in this country and abroad. The FBI has cyber squads in all 56 of the agency’s field offices and a rapid-response cyber action team that deploys where needed to address major incidents.

Students can earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in cybersecurity, preparing them for roles in preventing and investigating cyber attacks. The BLS reports that cybersecurity professionals, also known as information security analysts, can earn a median annual salary of $120,360 and can expect employment opportunities to grow by 33% through 2033.

Learn More About Criminal Justice Online Degrees and Jobs

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