Most FBI agents have at least a bachelor's degree. FBI agents don't have to study criminal justice, although many do; an aspiring agent can get a degree in any area related to her area of interest. Psychology and forensic science are just two areas that FBI agents specialize in.
Forensic Science
If you are interested in working in a forensic lab or other scientific position at the FBI, you probably want to major in forensic science. This type of science enables coroners and other scientists interested in criminal justice to use knowledge of biology and other sciences to help them investigate crimes and solve cases. If you are not specifically interested in forensics, consider majoring in biology or chemistry.
Criminal Justice
If you hope to be an investigator with the FBI, you may want to major in criminal justice. Criminal justice teaches police officers and detectives aspects of their careers, such as interrogate suspects and what to look for at crime scenes. Criminal justice majors also study laws related to crime and police work, such as the constitutional rights of suspected criminals.This major draws on a variety of disciplines, including sciences such as biology and chemistry, as well as social sciences like psychology and sociology.
Psychology
Any potential FBI agent may benefit from studying psychology, as psychological knowledge may give insight into how criminals think and behave. Psychology has a wide variety of uses within the FBI. The Behavioral Analysis Unit uses psychology to create the likely psychological profile of criminals, and all FBI agents use knowledge of psychology to determine how a suspected criminal is likely to behave.
Considerations
Although the FBI expects potential agents to have a four-year degree, the specific major you study is less important to the FBI than your skills and abilities. In addition, the FBI relies heavily on background checks due to the nature of the work you will be doing. Thus, demonstrating intelligence, interest and aptitude is more important than choosing the perfect major if you want to be an FBI agent.
