I have always wanted to become a detective, I think I would make  a damn good one.

I'm 22 years old and I'm not sure what college courses I should take to join the FBI. Any Tips or advice from Agents would be great.

-Josh

Quoted: I have always wanted to become a detective, I think I would make  a damn good one. I'm 22 years old and I'm not sure what college courses I should take to join the FBI. Any Tips or advice from Agents would be great. -Josh

The FBI's website has a list of the degrees they prefer. They are always looking for accountants. It might not be a bad idea to get some LE experience along with your education if you can swing it.

dont you want to be the real police instead..

Take accounting, maybe a few criminal justice classes, take on the year long hireing process.  Then oil up the handcuffs as you might get to arrest someone every year or so.

multi-lingual a plus in any agency

CJ majors are a dime a dozen, stick with accounting.

Quoted: CJ majors are a dime a dozen, stick with accounting.

"FBI--Halt or I'll Audit you!!!"

Think about what you would like to do in the FBI. Then post back.

Do you want to do counterintelligence, fraud, robberies, homicide, counterterrorism, drug enforcement, etc ? Answer that question and then you can narrow down your courses, majors, degrees, etc. Don't feel like you are limited in what you can do. The FBI has a lot of directions you can go.

Also, if you should ever decide detective is not for you: ballistics, firearms instructor, dog handler/trainer, HRT, crime lab, and the list goes on and on...

Don't forget SBI either. That's a good stepping-stone besides all the others mentioned here.

Right now they are looking very hard for It and language skills. CJ/PS degrees are only enough if you have 3-4 years of police or military background and excellent grades, even then its very , very hard to get in.  Get your Masters and some LE experience and you have a shot.

Well, since you obviously want to be an agent, just know that all the cool jobs are now being done by professional support Intel analysts, biologists, HAZMAT, Hazardous devices specialists, chemists, language specialists, profilers, Forensics examiners, nuclear scientists, speech analysts, special mission planners, Evidence Response Techs, divers, pilots,computer specialists, communication specialists, electronics technicians, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, chemical engineers, logistics, supply, etc the list goes on. (Notice you will need an advanced degree just to be a non-agent. MS, PHD, JLD, MD, EE, etc...)

Yeah, there is some cool stuff to do in the field as an agent but you still need a degree. Almost any degree will do, (I have met more Polictical science, history, and business majors that are agents than lawyers or accountants) if you are in the very top of your class, but if you are that smart then you wouldn't be working for the Bureau for $75-$125k. (SES guys make more but still under $200K, and it takes years to get to that level).
Average age of baby agents is between 27 and 32. Most HRT guys (the really macho agents (operators) that are not really agents) are between 29-35.
Lots of guys and gals with military backgrounds and a few years of civilian law enforcement under their belts. (All had to get some kind of degree though).
Some people sneak in the back door as support first and then try and apply as agents.
Any way you look at it, start applying as soon as you are out of school and gainfully employed elswhere (did I forget to mention that you have to have about 4 years work experience or at least a masters) and within a few years you too can be wondering what the hell you were thinking. (But heck my badge is so really shiny and cool )
Best of luck, and screw BATFE....

Thanks for the replys. I would'nt wanna join to be in accounting, maybe I've seen too much Law and Order . But I would like to be out there investigating crimes and stuff like that. How dose one become a City police Detective? Maybe thats what I'm looking for. Would I have to be a patrol man giving tickets and stuff first? (no offence, but thats the only thing I would'nt like about being a cop) I'm just lost on what I'm gonna do for a career.

Young fellow....understand something....in the military and law enforcement you have to hurry-up-and-wait.
You may go your entire career and never once un-holster your side arm in defense (you can only pray that comes true).
95% boredome (ie. paperwork, and very mundane matters)
5% tunnel vision and training.

Join the marines, that is what it sounds like you really want/need. When your done there and you have a degree or two, the world will be your mistress....

Join the marines, that is what it sounds like you really want/need.

+1.  Get some experience and use your GI bill and get a degree.  

-BJohnson

Quoted: Thanks for the replys. I would'nt wanna join to be in accounting, maybe I've seen too much Law and Order . But I would like to be out there investigating crimes and stuff like that. How dose one become a City police Detective? Maybe thats what I'm looking for. Would I have to be a patrol man giving tickets and stuff first? (no offence, but thats the only thing I would'nt like about being a cop) I'm just lost on what I'm gonna do for a career.

The city I work for you test to become a detective after a min. 3 years on the street.  That is if you have a degree.  A longer wait to test if you don't.  There also have to be openings.  You must score high enough, and then the Oral board.  Points for all sorts of things like time on the job also come into play.   Many would tell you that you need at least 5 years on the street to have half a clue.  The street is where it's at.   You do a lot of the leg work for the investigations guys and girls.  

Many good busts/investigations begin and end with traffic stops.  

If you are seriously interested in LE  do a ride along.  

The FBI agents that I've spent time with were not the stereo typical egotistical butt heads.  They were all top notch and very helpful.  Many were at one point beat cops.   They have some very good resources, and are very knowledgeable.  

Best of luck to you.