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Special agent education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, special agents don't need a college education. The most common degree for special agents is bachelor's degree with 68% graduates, with only 14% special agent graduates earning associate degree. Special agents who decided to graduate from college often finish American University or University of Maryland - College Park. Some good skills to have in this position include professional work, national security and local law enforcement.

Popular special agent certifications include Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Criminal Investigator, or Certified Criminal Justice Specialist (CCJS). To improve special agent qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in special agent education paths.

What education do you need to become a special agent?

What degree do you need to be a special agent?

The most common degree for special agents is bachelor's degree, with 68% of special agents earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 14% and associate degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 68%
  • Associate, 14%
  • Master's, 11%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a special agent?

You should major in criminal justice to become a special agent. 38% of special agents major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a special agent include business and political science.

Best majors for special agents

RankMajorPercentages
1Criminal Justice38.1%
2Business12.5%
3Political Science6.6%
4Accounting5.9%
5Law4.2%

20 best online courses for special agents

Advertising disclosure

1. Introduction to International Criminal Law

coursera

-- 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,...

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

coursera

‘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...

3. Criminology and Criminal Psychology Certified CSI+ Course

udemy
4.2
(339)

Learn Criminal Law and Start your career with certification of Criminal Law and Criminal Psychology, Learn Criminology...

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

udemy
4.6
(414)

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

5. Hot Topics in Criminal Justice

coursera

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...

6. An Introduction to American Law

coursera

This course will give you a glimpse into six different areas of American law: Tort Law, Contract Law, Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure. You will gain insight into the complexities and dilemmas that arise from the application of law in different settings, and what is distinctive about American approaches...

7. Introduction to Criminal Psychology

udemy
4.3
(846)

Understand the Forensic Psychology of the Criminal Mind...

8. Psychology of Criminal Behaviour & Criminology - ACCREDITED

udemy
4.4
(516)

Personality Disorders, Violence, Sex Offence, Murder, and other types of crime...

9. India Customs and Allied laws Specialization

coursera

Want to start a career as a Customs professional in India or want to enhance your knowledge in the field of Customs? Companies seek individuals with Customs expertise to help them adopt correct compliance positions and manage imports and exports effectively. This requirement is not only from a Customs compliance standpoint but also from the perspective of guiding on the interplay of Customs compliance with the operational and logistics aspects of the business. They are responsible for preparing...

10. International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague

coursera

International Law in Action explains the functions of each international court and tribunal present in The Hague, and it looks at how these institutions address contemporary problems. On the basis of selected cases, and through interviews with judges and lawyers, you will explore the role of these courts and tribunals and their potential to contribute to global justice. The first module of the course will investigate how judicial settlement is different from other more political forms of...

11. Forensic Psychology: Criminal Profiling Certificate

udemy
4.4
(980)

Criminology Crash Course...

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

udemy
4
(262)

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

13. Learn Federal Government Contracting From An Expert

udemy
4
(443)

A comprehensive guide to Register, Search Opportunities, GSA, Certifications, Accounting, Marketing& Bidding to the feds...

14. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+

udemy
4.1
(943)

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

15. Cyber Crime Analyst Part 1

udemy
4
(250)

Types of Cyber Crime...

16. Introduction to Criminology: Explaining Crime

udemy
4.5
(2,043)

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

17. IFCI Expert Cybercrime Investigator's Course

udemy
4.6
(649)

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

18. The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Notary Loan Signing Agent

udemy
4.6
(521)

Step-By-Step Blueprint on Creating a Thriving Mobile Notary Loan Signing Agent Business in Under 30 Days...

19. Digital Forensics and Cyber-Crime Investigation

udemy
4.2
(255)

Computer Forensics...

20. Digital Forensics and Electronic Evidence

udemy
4.4
(2,017)

An introduction for legal professionals and other individuals with an interest in computer forensics...

Average special agent salary by education level

Special agents with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $68,393 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, special agents earn a median annual income of $66,007 compared to $57,616 for special agents with an Associate degree.
Special agent education levelSpecial agent salary
Master's Degree$68,393
High School Diploma or Less$54,284
Bachelor's Degree$66,007
Some College/ Associate Degree$57,616

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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