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Criminal investigative agent education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, criminal investigative agents don't need a college education. The most common degree for criminal investigative agents is bachelor's degree with 60% graduates, with only 18% criminal investigative agent graduates earning associate degree. Criminal investigative agents who decided to graduate from college often finish American University or University of South Carolina - Columbia. Some good skills to have in this position include physical evidence, law enforcement agencies and surveillance operations.

What education do you need to become a criminal investigative agent?

What degree do you need to be a criminal investigative agent?

The most common degree for criminal investigative agents is bachelor's degree, with 60% of criminal investigative agents earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 13%.
  • Bachelor's, 60%
  • Associate, 18%
  • Master's, 13%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a criminal investigative agent?

You should major in criminal justice to become a criminal investigative agent. 45% of criminal investigative agents major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a criminal investigative agent include business and law enforcement.

Best majors for criminal investigative agents

RankMajorPercentages
1Criminal Justice44.8%
2Business12.5%
3Law Enforcement3.9%
4Political Science3.9%
5Sociology3.4%

20 best online courses for criminal investigative agents

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1. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes

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‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...

2. Hot Topics in Criminal Justice

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The American criminal justice system is in need of reform. We incarcerate too many people. We pay insufficient attention to scientific advances that can help separate out the most and least culpable and dangerous. We grant the police far too much power to use force and technological surveillance. As a way of thinking about dealing with these problems, this course examines two over-arching issues: What should we do with people who have committed crime, and how should we identify who they are? On...

3. Criminology and Criminal Psychology Certified CSI+ Course

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Understand the Forensic Psychology of the Criminal Mind...

5. Introduction to International Criminal Law

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-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...

6. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course

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A 2 hour fast track summary of Criminal Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...

7. Psychology of Criminal Behaviour & Criminology - ACCREDITED

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8. Forensic Psychology: Criminal Profiling Certificate

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Criminology Crash Course...

9. Forensic Psychology - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE

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Become a specialist in criminal investigations and forensic profiling, start your career and add certificate to resume!...

10. IFCI Expert Cybercrime Investigator's Course

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Protect your network - Put cybercriminals in jail. Learn computer forensics, malware analysis and hacker investigations...

11. Investigative Journalism

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How to find hidden sources. How to look for documents and people...

12. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+

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Learn digital forensics and be computer forensics investigator / Certificate after completing course / DFMC+ / DFIR 2023...

13. Introduction to Criminology: Explaining Crime

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Learn to Speak About Criminal Psychology and the Sociology of Crime Like an Expert...

14. Sexual Harassment Training for Managers

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Learn how to create a safe, secure, and inclusive work environment...

15. AML Case Investigation Skills

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A guide to conducting AML case investigations, writing quality case narratives and the submission of STRs (STR filing)...

16. CYBER CRIME & CYBER LAW - DR. PAVAN DUGGAL - CYBERLAW UNIV.

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The most crucial paradigms in our digital lives today...

17. Effective Legal Office Administration

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Effective Legal Office Administration...

18. Cyber Crime Analyst Part 1

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Types of Cyber Crime...

19. Digital Forensics and Cyber-Crime Investigation

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Computer Forensics...

20. Sexual Harassment Training for Employees in the Workplace

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Learn about sexual harassment in the workplace and the ways to identify, report, and prevent it...

Average criminal investigative agent salary by education level

Criminal investigative agents with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $64,829 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, criminal investigative agents earn a median annual income of $62,244 compared to $53,266 for criminal investigative agents with an Associate degree.
Criminal investigative agent education levelCriminal investigative agent salary
Master's Degree$64,829
High School Diploma or Less$49,752
Bachelor's Degree$62,244
Some College/ Associate Degree$53,266

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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