FBI job requirements - specifics regarding NA and RA degrees

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Abner, Aug 31, 2011.

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  1. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    To become an FBI Special Agent you must be a U.S. citizen or a citizen of the Northern Mariana Islands. You must be at least 23 years of age, but younger than 37 upon your appointment as a Special Agent. Age waivers may be granted to preference eligible veterans who have surpassed their 37th birthday. You must possess a four-year degree from a college or university accredited by one of the regional or national institutional associations recognized by the United States Secretary of Education. You must have at least three years of professional work experience. You must also possess a valid driver's license and be completely available for assignment anywhere in the FBI's jurisdiction.

    It seems like this language pertaining to degree recognition is becoming the norm in government.

    Abner
     
  2. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I have never seen anybody is denied for job opportunity with National Accredited School's degree.
     
  3. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    The federal government has been accepting NA degrees for several years. However, as far as the FBI goes, they're usually only looking for people with special training/skills (language, computers, etc.), and the "general agent" position is something I haven't seen in several years.
     
  4. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Thanks Bruce. I have spent many years checking job requirements, and how they describe degree accreditation. Many will specifiy NA or RA, or many will simply state "accredited" or "recognized by the USDOE". Since I became a member of this forum, this kind of language seems to be more commonplace in government. Being that I deal with small companies to large Corporations in regards to HR matters, many will ask me about this subject, so I copy and paste the State of CA degree requirements that mention NA and RA accreditating agencies and email it to them, as such, many private companies are starting to adopt this verbage into their job postings, position descriptions, etc. The State of CA also mentions "correspondence schools", and the fact they are acceptable if "recognized by USDOE"

    It is great to see employers start to bone up on accreditation matters. A lot of positive changes have occured since I became a member here. I mean hell, even Texas recognizes DETC now!!!! :smile:

    Abner
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 31, 2011
  5. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    I'd love to see the number of FBI agents with NA only degrees. I'd be willing to make a wager that if they have only an NA degree, then they were hired under one of the four special entry programs and not the Diversified Program. In 2009 there were between 60-70K applicants who applied under the Diversified Entry Program...for 900 jobs. Not exaclty furtile grounds for being accepted into a prestigous career/position with a DETC degree.
     
  6. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Hmm. Interesting opinion. In my line of work, here is what I see. Government from the city to Fed levels are concerned with degree validity, and whether or not a degree is recognized. What will set the person apart? Special skills like being bilingual, computer forensics, accounting forensics, clean work history, clean background check, clean credit report, etc.

    From the many hiring folks I have talked and dealt, including the FBI, accreditation prestige is a thing that happens amongst folks like us here! :smile: Most people have no idea, nor do they care.

    Abner
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 31, 2011
  7. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    I agree with you. When my friends or family talk about colleges if (and that is a big if) accreditation comes up. I have not met a single person who knew the difference between NA/RA or even knew there are different accrediting bodies. As a matter of fact, I have been on numerous forums outside of Dinfo and accreditation has come up. I've not seen any person who had it right. They always go for the National Accreditation sounds better so that would be perferable.

    And don't ever try to talk to those close-minded folks who think all online schools are mills. You can show them the actual dictionary definition of a degree mill, show the accreditation status of an online school and then show them a state school or prestigous school known throughout the states with that same accreditation and they will still call an online school a mill.

    We are indeed in a bubble here.
     
  8. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 31, 2011

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