What Courses Do I Need to Have a CIA Career?

I want to work for the CIA, what courses do I need to take in college to have a career as a CIA Agent?

The CIA, like other federal agencies, requires certain educational milestones to be completed before one can even be considered for a position. But are there any specific degree tracks and classes that you should take?

Well, according to the Central Intelligence Agency:

CIA employees represent a wide variety of disciplines from an even broader mix of academic backgrounds and experience. Therefore, we don’t recommend one academic track over another in general.

I really feel that you shouldn’t worry too much about which courses or degree program you choose, but that rather you go along with a well known adage: keep your grades up. The CIA would like their potential job candidates to have a GPA of 3.0 or above, and fluency in another language is highly desirable.

Above all, understand that your choices and behaviors now are a reflection of your personal integrity, character and patriotism.

CIA SealThat’s not my personal quote, but rather it’s the CIA’s way of saying we want patriotic Americans with enough common sense to pass the scrutinizing background check and other hiring criteria.

Oh, and by the way, Hollywood’s image of the CIA Agent position is now under the umbrella of the CIA National Clandestine Service (NCS) with position titles like: Core Collector, Operations Officer, and Collection Management Officer. Not too “sexy,” so I guess the movie industry won’t be changing it’s CIA Agent and CIA Operative persona, but the Central Intelligence Agency surely did away with it.

Article written by Radek Gadek

Radek holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University. He is currently doing consulting work and runs this blog to provide relevant information on criminal justice degrees, colleges and related careers.

8 comments… add one
  • CIA SUPER SECRET AGENT#1

    Help me please im crazy about being a CIA

  • Steven Alexander Stone

    i feel i would be a great asset to the agency im willing to do anything to serve my country i know that you know where to find me, and am hoping to talk with someone about this. i feel i have a lot of ground to make up, but hope you will be willing to give me a chance. my grandfather was a col.(Army) my father was a smsgt.(Air force) and i wish to serve my country as well if not better than them. my last name means the world to me and want to carry it on with great honor i need help with this. i really feel i would be a great asset. ill be waiting.

  • layla

    hi
    i really need to know exactly which classes to
    take to join the cia
    i know over 12 languages
    and i am a black belt :D

  • Shelby

    is it possible to work as a psychological profiler for the CIA, also?

  • Jaryel

    i would really love to know if it matters what age you are to join the CIA and what would be the approiate age to. i’m doing a lot of research on the CIA and would love to become an agent :-)

  • Eddie

    I am very interested in becoming a CIA or NSA Federal Agent. I am currently on my to receive my associates in Criminal Justice next semester but I been having some doubts whether I should continue and finish my Bachelors or joining the Air Force. I have doubts because I am also interested in doing Intelligence in the Air Force. I was wondering if it would be a wise move to finish my Associate’s and join the Air Force to do Intelligence and apply to the CIA or NSA after the military. Any feedback would be appreciated thanks.

  • Joylynn

    Hello,
    I am currently serving in the US Army, I speak Thai, and am currently looking into going into school. I am trying to set up now for a career outside of the army, I have always been interested in joining the CIA; however, I’m not sure how to get this started. I am in intelligence and am contemplating getting a degree in intel. I just need to know if this would productive or not. Thank you for your help.

  • Cornelius Hickman

    Can any military branch go to the (CIA) and work for them? Because I want to go to the marines special forces, and then work for the (CIA)…

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