Keith Mack
The FBI is interested in applicants with a wide range of educational backgrounds, including law. A law degree can be advantageous when applying to the FBI, as legal professionals can serve in various roles, including as special agents, attorneys, and paralegal specialists. The FBI's Collegiate Hiring Initiative is an entry-level hiring program that accepts applicants with undergraduate, graduate, or PhD degrees. The FBI's eligibility requirements prioritize an individual's alignment with the Bureau's core competencies, such as leadership, oral communication, and adaptability, over specific academic experiences. Applicants with a law degree can leverage their legal expertise and skills to contribute to the FBI's mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | All applicants must be U.S. citizens and have attended college or university full-time as an undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral student. |
| GPA | Students must have and maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) throughout the application process. |
| Tests | Applicants must be able to pass a polygraph exam, drug screen, and background investigation, and be able to receive a Top Secret security clearance. |
| Core Competencies | Leadership, Oral Communication, Initiative and Motivation, Adaptability and Flexibility, Organizing, Planning and Prioritizing, Interpersonal Skills, Evaluating Information and Making Decisions, and Writing. |
| Work Experience | The FBI requires 3 years of work history for new agents. |
| Age | The average new agent is around 30 years old. |
| Mental Health History | Applicants with a history of mental illness may not be eligible. |
| Skills | Foreign language fluency, military intelligence, international studies experience, engineering, information technology, and physical sciences are all in high demand. |
| Hiring Process | The FBI's hiring process consists of multiple phases, including a computerized exam, a self-assessment, a "meet and greet", a writing exam, a panel interview, and a PT test. |
| Internships | The FBI offers a paid, 10-week summer Honors Internship Program for college sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students, which provides an inside look at the organization and can open doors to future opportunities. |
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What You'll Learn
FBI core competencies
The FBI has eight core competencies, which are soft skills required of all special agents. These core competencies are the traits that hiring committees expect from special agent candidates. They include:
- Leadership skills: The ability to make important decisions without guidance and inspire your team to complete tasks. Since FBI agents help with national security concerns, they're often placed into leadership roles that require quick judgment.
- Critical thinking: The process of gathering and analyzing information before making an informed decision. This involves gathering relevant information from credible sources, avoiding logical fallacies, and explaining your reasoning to others.
- Adaptability: The ability to handle changing conditions, such as taking on a new project, experiencing extreme changes to an existing project, or travelling to a different country for an extended period. Signs of strong adaptability include the ability to quickly revise long-term plans and inform team members of sudden changes.
- Self-discipline: The motivation to perform quality work in an efficient manner, even without a supervisor present.
The FBI is interested in applicants with a wide range of educational backgrounds, including law, accounting, STEM, finance, human resources, information technology, and journalism. Foreign language fluency, military intelligence, and international studies experience are also highly sought after.
The FBI's Collegiate Hiring Initiative is an entry-level hiring program for graduating seniors or those who have received an undergraduate, graduate, or PhD degree. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have attended college or university full-time, and have a GPA of at least 3.0. They must also be able to pass a polygraph exam, drug screen, and background investigation and be able to receive a Top Secret security clearance.
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FBI eligibility requirements
The FBI is looking for applicants with a broad range of backgrounds, expertise, and professional experiences. A law degree is one of many degrees that can be useful for a career in the FBI, along with degrees in accounting, STEM, finance, human resources, information technology, journalism, and more. Foreign language fluency is also highly sought-after, as are military intelligence and international studies experience.
There are several FBI eligibility requirements that must be met before your application will be considered. You must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have no felony convictions.
- Adhere to the FBI drug policy.
- Pass a urinalysis and a background investigation.
- Have your student loan repayments in good standing.
- Have filed all required annual federal, state, and local taxes.
- Be current with any court-ordered child support payments.
- Have no engagement with organizations designed to overthrow the U.S. government.
- Be registered with the U.S. Selective Service (for males only).
Additionally, to be eligible for the FBI's Collegiate Hiring Initiative, which is the FBI's full-time, entry-level hiring program, you must be a graduating senior or have received an undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. degree. For the 2021 Collegiate Hiring Initiative, students must graduate by June 2021. All applicants must be U.S. citizens, have attended college or university full-time, and have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) throughout the application process. Applicants must also pass a polygraph exam, drug screen, and background investigation, and be able to receive Top Secret security clearance.
The FBI also offers an Honors Internship Program, a paid, 10-week summer program that offers the opportunity to work in one of the FBI's investigative, intelligence, or support divisions.
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FBI selection process
The FBI is interested in applicants with a wide range of educational backgrounds, including law. Foreign language fluency, military intelligence, and international studies experience are also desirable.
The FBI's selection process for special agents is rigorous and multi-step. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be under the age of 36, unless they have veteran's preference or federal law enforcement experience.
- Possess a valid driver's license.
- Meet the physical fitness requirements, including completing medical examinations, providing proof of vaccinations, and passing the Physical Fitness Test (PFT).
- Be able to obtain a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance.
- Have a bachelor's degree and at least two years of full-time professional work experience, or an advanced degree and at least one year of full-time professional work experience.
- Pass a polygraph exam, drug screen, and background investigation.
The Special Agent Selection System (SASS) is a thorough evaluation process that ensures that special agents meet the high standards of the FBI. The multi-step application process can mirror the demands and expectations of rigorous investigations, including integrity, attention to detail, patience, flexibility, and accountability. Applicants are evaluated based on the FBI's Core Competencies.
If selected, applicants will receive 850 hours of instruction through the BFTC course in defensive tactics, investigative techniques, and firearms skills during an 18-week immersion to prepare for their career as an agent.
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FBI internships
The FBI welcomes applicants with a wide range of educational backgrounds, including law. In fact, the FBI has legal professionals in various roles, including attorneys and paralegal specialists. Attorneys provide counsel to FBI investigative, intelligence, and administrative programs, while paralegal specialists assist attorneys in conducting research and reviewing case material.
The FBI also offers internships for students and recent graduates, including the Honors Internship Program (HIP), which is a paid, 10-week summer program that offers the opportunity to work in investigative, intelligence, or support divisions. The HIP is open to undergraduate students between their junior and senior years, as well as graduate students pursuing a master's degree, JD, or PhD. To be eligible, applicants must be attending a U.S.-accredited college or university full-time and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Additionally, interns must pass an FBI background investigation and be able to receive Top Secret security clearance.
The FBI also offers the Collegiate Hiring Initiative (CHI), a full-time, entry-level hiring program for graduating seniors or individuals with undergraduate, graduate, or PhD degrees. This program is open to students in a variety of fields, including STEM, accounting, finance, human resources, information technology, journalism, and law. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and pass a polygraph exam, drug screen, and background investigation. They must also be able to receive Top Secret security clearance.
Another opportunity for early-career professionals and recent graduates is the FBI Laboratory's research program in forensic science. This program offers a unique work experience under the guidance of leading Forensic Scientists at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. Participants receive a monthly stipend and a training and travel allowance. To be eligible, applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher from a U.S.-accredited college or university in an appropriate science field, such as chemistry, biology, statistics, or forensic science.
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FBI cyber investigations
The FBI is interested in applicants with a wide range of educational backgrounds, including law, accounting, STEM, finance, human resources, information technology, and journalism. Foreign language fluency, military intelligence, and international studies experience are also highly sought after.
The FBI has a Collegiate Hiring Initiative, which is a full-time, entry-level hiring program. To be eligible, you must be a graduating senior or have received an undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. degree. All applicants must be U.S. citizens, have attended college or university full-time, and have a GPA of at least 3.0. They must also pass a polygraph exam, drug screening, and background investigation and be able to receive Top Secret security clearance.
The FBI also offers an Honors Internship Program, a paid, 10-week summer program that provides an inside look at the FBI and its investigative, intelligence, or support divisions. This program is open to full-time college sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate students.
The FBI's Cyber Division (CyD) is responsible for investigating and prosecuting internet crimes, including cyber-based terrorism, espionage, computer intrusions, identity theft, and major cyber fraud. The Cyber Division works through the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force (NCIJTF) and has cyber investigative squads in each of its 56 field offices across the United States. These squads are staffed with agents and analysts who protect against computer intrusions, theft of intellectual property and personal information, child pornography and exploitation, and online fraud. The FBI also has rapid-response Cyber Action Teams that can deploy across the country within hours to respond to major incidents.
Legal professionals within the FBI provide services in a wide range of areas and serve in various roles. Attorneys provide counsel to investigative, intelligence, and administrative programs, help navigate statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements, coordinate arguments and strategy for litigation, develop and deliver legal training, and collaborate with legal professionals across the government and other sectors. Paralegal specialists assist attorneys in conducting research, preparing legal pleadings, and reviewing and analyzing case material.
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Frequently asked questions
The FBI's core competencies include leadership, oral communication, initiative and motivation, adaptability and flexibility, organizing, planning and prioritizing, interpersonal skills, evaluating information and making decisions, and writing.
The FBI hiring process consists of multiple phases. Phase I is a computerized exam that assesses your personality and decision-making attributes. Phase II is a writing exam and a panel interview.
Law school graduates can pursue various careers within the FBI, including special agent, intelligence analyst, or professional in over 200 career trajectories.
The FBI requires applicants to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree and three years of work experience. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens, pass a polygraph exam, drug screen, and background investigation, and be able to receive a Top Secret security clearance.
It is recommended to apply as soon as possible due to the extensive background check and testing required. Review the FBI's eligibility requirements and the Special Agent Selection Process. Schedule an appointment with a CDO career advisor to review your application materials.
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