How to Become a CIA Special Agent

Becoming a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) special agent takes education, skill, and experience. From taking the proper college courses to learning a foreign language to working your way through the CIA system, there is much more to becoming a spy than meets the eye. Hollywood portrays CIA agents as having a fast-paced, glamorous lifestyle, but real life agents live a life far from the Hollywood image. Long hours, dangerous situations, and time away from family make this profession a challenge to even the most dedicated individuals.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Bachelor's degree

Instructions

1. Obtain your bachelor's degree. The four-year college degree is a requirement to become a CIA agent. The degree can be obtained at an accredited four-year college. Majors related to becoming an agent include Criminal Justice and Homeland Security.

2. Learn a foreign language. Language classes can be taken as part of the curriculum at the university you're attending. Or, you can take a specialized language course through a computer program. Software like Rosetta Stone offers more than 30 languages. The CIA looks for potential agents that have knowledge of Middle Eastern languages.

3. Send your qualifications, including grade-point average (GPA) and cover letter to the Professional Training Program.

   CIA Professional Training Program
   P.O. Box 12002
   Dept. Internet
   Arlington, VA 22209
   cia.gov

4. Visit the CIA Website to find job openings. The CIA offers a variety of job openings. CIA analysts are subject-matter experts who evaluate information from sources including human contracts, foreign newspapers, and satellite surveillance. The CIA also hires research scientists who oversee development activities across many programs who support intelligence missions and provide technical guidance on emerging technology and research programs. Foreign language instructors are also in need on an ongoing basis. These instructors must have a background in Persian (Farsi), Chinese, Arabic, and Russian. If the CIA decides to hire you for one of these positions, you may have to take medical exams and undergo psychological testing. A background check will also be conducted.

5. Develop experience while working in the CIA and request to your supervisor the opportunity to enter the Clandestine Service Trainee (CST) Program. You have to be nominated on merit to enter this program. This program will help you to become an agent overseas.

Tips & Warnings

• Becoming a CIA agent may be risky and potentially life threatening. Agents are often placed in dangerous locations.

References

• Legal-criminal-justice-schools: Become a CIA agent
• Central Intelligence Agency

Resources

• Rosetta Stone
• Central Intelligence Agency: Careers