If you want to get a job with the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), you need specific skills and a background in criminal justice or a related field. Well, here we will share information about how to become a Forensic Psychologist for the FBI. If you are a Forensic Psychologist, and want to get a job with the FBI, you should read this entire article.
Becoming a Forensic Psychologist for the FBI
To become a Forensic Psychologist for the FBI, you can take the steps required to join the Bureau and advance your career. You will be able to work as a criminal profiler, special agent, or victim specialist, depending on your expertise.
Read also: Education for Forensic Psychologist
Here is a guide to become a Forensic Psychologist for the FBI:
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Gain a Bachelor’s degree
The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) needs all candidates to hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited United States college. Remember that the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) does not need candidates to have a degree in a specific program.
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Degrees in Forensic Psychology
For those who want to be a victim specialist or a jury consultant, a forensic psychology degree is a good place to start.
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Earn Experience and apply
As a candidate, you must work in a position related to your degree for a minimum of three years before you apply to the FBI. The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) suggest that candidates interested in working in profiling positions as Supervisory Special Agents must have great knowledge and experience working with rapes, homicides, child abductions.
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Complete the FBI training
The applicants must attend a 20-week training program at the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Academy in Quantico, Virginia. You will receive classroom and instruction in subjects including forensics, law, investigative practices, behavioral science, and ethics.
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Get Assigned at the NCVAC
As a special agent, you must work for the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) for at least three years before you can apply for a supervisory position. While obtaining experience, you can also apply for specialized training. The FBI special agents who have at least three years of experience will be able to apply for a Supervisory Special Agent position at the NCVAC.
Read also: Average a Forensic Psychologist Salary at the FBI
Below is more explanation about how to become a Forensic Psychologist for the FBI as an FBI Special Agent, a Victim Specialist, and a Profiler.
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Become an FBI Special Agent
If you want to be a Forensic Psychologist for the FBI, you can work as an FBI Special Agent. Need to know that a degree in forensic psychology can increase your opportunities to get work with the federal government. Those who specialize in this field have the skills and expertise required to conduct mental health evaluations, predict criminal behavior, and work on child abuse cases. Also, they have the skills to determine how a person’s life was affected by injuries, war, or criminal acts.
Usually, forensic psychologists use their skills and expertise in the service of the public good. For example, they can work as special agents for the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation). According to the FBI’s website, the Bureau is actively seeking individuals with a background in counseling or psychology. Applicants must hold United States citizenship, comply with the FBI Drug Policy, and gain a top-secret security clearance. These requirements apply for all job openings.
At the time of application and have a bachelor’s degree or higher, aspiring FBI special agents must be 23 to 36 years old. Also, they are required to have a valid driver’s license. Aside from that, they also have at least two years of work experience. In other cases, if you hold a master’s or a doctoral degree, but you have only one year of experience, you can still join the Bureau.
Of course, being physically fit and having good vision and hearing is very important. All applicants must pass a fitness test consisting of a timed run, sprints, push-ups, and sit-ups. Remember that applicants who have been convicted of a felony or who failed to file their tax returns are disqualified automatically.
For your information, FBI special agents with a psychology background work at least 50 hours per week. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management reports that they have a median annual salary of $62,556 to $80,721. In this role, you are expected to have a strong understanding of human behavior and know how to handle delicate situations involving the children or trauma victims. Depending on the situation, you can work on weekends, participate in arrests, and travel or relocate as needed.
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Become a Victim Specialist
To become a Forensic Psychologist for the FBI, you can also work as a Victim Specialist. A forensic psychologist has the skills required to work directly with victims of crimes to help them move on. If that is what you want to do, then you can consider working as a victim specialist for the FBI. If you work as a victim specialist, you will be able to help people who were victims of abuse, identity theft, violent crime, human trafficking, terrorism, and other crimes.
Need to know that a victim specialist must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in behavioral or social sciences, such as forensic psychology. Also, the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), needs three or more years of experience working with the victims from different cultures within a psychology, counseling, or legal environment. You must have extensive social service experience and know how to proceed in case of an emergency. The role of the victim specialists is to provide direct assistance to the victims and assist them navigate the aftermath of crime.
In addition, you may also need to coordinate forensic interviews and assist the Bureau build better cases. Keep in mind that having strong communication and interpersonal skills is a must. You will often discover yourself working with crime victims who are severely traumatized, have disabilities or who do not speak English. Therefore, it is very important to have the ability to read between the lines and interpret body language.
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Become a Profiler
Have you ever heard about profilers in movies and TV shows? Supervisory special agent is the correct term, which applies to those who work in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). They have the duty to analyze crime scenes, assess potential or current threats and identify the great interviewing techniques. Also, they are responsible for developing profiles of suspects and convicted criminals.
In fact, this profession is interesting and highly beneficial. Profilers are not clairvoyants. And, they do not get vibes during crime scene investigations. Instead, they usually use psychological and scientific methods to make profiles of serial killers and other criminals. Their role is to assist police officers narrow their search.
According to American Military University, the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) consists of three units. The first unit investigates crimes against adults. The second unit deals with crimes against children. The last unit is in charge of counterterrorism. For your information, the department is managed by the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group and seeks to deconstruct and analyze criminal behavior.
If you are special agents who work in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, you can interview convicted criminals to determine why they committed murder. You can ask about their childhood experiences, traumatic events, and other factors which influenced their behavior. These insights identify patterns and signs that can uncover an individual’s inclination toward crime.
For instance, a 2019 report published by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security states that an entire team of the experts in psychology, psychiatry, law, threat assessment and other disciplines investigated gunman Stephen Paddock’s pre-attack behaviors. The panel members spent 12 months to analyze evidence collected by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Saint Joseph’s University stated that if you are interested in working as a profiler, you must first join the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) as a special agent. Surely, a graduate degree in forensic psychology will give you a competitive edge. But you must have at least three years of work experience and meet the eligibility criteria.
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