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Is a double major in Accounting and Criminology and good combination for becoming a Special Agent for the FBI?

This is the degree path I am currently thinking about and I just wanted to make sure that I am headed in the right direction.

criminal-justice accounting criminology accountant fbi financial-accounting criminal criminaljustice criminal-law criminal-investigations fbi-agent fbi-special-agent fbiagent
Thank you comment icon I would recommend calling your local FBI office to set up a meeting with an Agent in the office. Through my career i met with many students who were interested in this career. You can learn about what we do on a daily basis as you will find out, it is much different than shown on tv. We typically have an office within a 2 hour drive of anywhere in the US. If this is truly what you want to do, be ready for a very long process and perseverance is the key. Keep working on making yourself the most competitive candidate you can. Good luck. I wouldn't trade my 22 year career with the FBI for anything else. Edward Jacobson
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Edward’s Answer

I agree with the other answer. Accounting is a good degree to have to apply to be an FBI Special Agent. You will also need to have a minimum of 3 years work experience after college. With the competitiveness for the positions, excel at your work after and be ready for it to take much longer than 3 years for you to become "competitive" for the position. The criminology would not necessarily boost you as much as you think.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! I honestly wasn't sure how much an accounting degree would help other than that the FBI says they prefer those. Bryleigh
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Atul’s Answer

Are you doing well in all your AP courses? If you're strong in Math and have performed well overall, you'll start with the required courses in your first two years. Depending on your success, you can explore Accounting as a major and choose a minor in your last two years. Stay focused on your goals instead of trying to do too many things at once. You've got this!
Thank you comment icon Thank you for the advice, Atul. Bryleigh
Thank you comment icon And yes, I do very well in math courses and have skipped 2 grade levels in math because of my level. Bryleigh
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Kim’s Answer

Bryleigh,

This is from an FBI webpage that is five years old. If you are finding it elsewhere that's more current, I'd say your thinking is pretty rock-solid, except, I'd skip the double major. Maybe a minor in Criminology, maybe just use a few of your elective hours for those courses.

"So what should I major in? Our hiring process is extremely selective. Our best advice is to make an honest assessment of your skills and interests and based on those, choose something you’re passionate about. It’s the only way you’ll be able to achieve the kind of success that will set you apart from the tens of thousands of other applicants.
Isn’t it best to get a degree in criminal justice? In a word, no. In today’s complex world, a degree in criminal justice, by itself, simply doesn’t meet any of our hiring needs. The FBI is interested in applicants with a wide range of educational backgrounds including but not limited to accounting, STEM, finance, human resources, information technology, journalism, law, and more.
What does the FBI need right now? In terms of what we need the most, foreign language fluency tends to hover at or near the top of the list, followed closely by military intelligence and international studies experience. Because our investigations are increasingly complex and require superior analytical abilities, applicants with technical backgrounds in engineering, information technology, and physical sciences are also in high demand."

Since your focus is STEM, I'd find other opportunities to get exposure to law enforcement. In HS, search for a police explorers group, or the Cabot Junior Police Academy. As an adult, attend the Cabot Citizens Police Academy. Ride out with the officers, if at all possible. Not once or twice, but, regularly. Get involved in community events. https://www.cabotpolicefoundation.org/programs

Find a way to get and stay physically fit. Look at the requirements. Either through self discipline, or by joining team sports. You need to be really fit!

You will need a few years of professional experience. You can try for law enforcement jobs, or perhaps a police analyst position or civilian evidence technician. The thing is, you need to have something that makes you really stand out, because competition is fierce. Don't rule out a few years of military service. Something to think about.

It appears the FBI also has civilian jobs in your field.

This is an exciting career path, and I wish you the best!

Kim
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Bryleigh
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