A criminal justice degree is the best education for becoming a Border Patrol Agent for new hires. The degree provides you with specialized training that will prepare you for the rigorous 6 week training required of all new agents. A criminal justice bachelor’s degree will, in addition to the law enforcement training, also provide you with the opportunity to learn Spanish, which is another part of the training requirement for new border patrol agents. A four year college degree enables a prospective border patrol agent to be hired at the GL-7 bases salary of $44,000. Additionally, although the US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts there will be a 10 percent growth in demand for border patrol agents through 2018, they expect there will be significant competition for these positions and a criminal justice degree will make you a competitive candidate. Other requirements to becoming a border patrol agent include being younger than 40 years old, having no arrests, convictions, job dismissals, or history of financial difficulties. Additionally, the candidate will have to pass a physical exam.
The Four Year Criminal Justice Degree Curriculum – Making You a Stronger Border Patrol Candidate
Just as with any college major, the four year criminal justice degree curriculum requires the completion of core courses in English, math, science, social sciences, foreign language, and the humanities. Coursework specific to criminal justice includes race relations, law, court systems, law enforcement, forensics, sociology, victimology, and seminars related to criminal justice. 
The cost of four year criminal justice degree varies greatly and depends on the type of school one attends. Some people find they can save money by starting at community college where the average tuition runs $2,500 per year for in-state students. The cost at public four year colleges averages between $7,000 and $12,000 per year for in-state students. The tuition at private four year colleges starts at approximately $16,000 and can go significantly higher.
Criminal Justice Degrees Online – Helping Border Patrol Agents Advance Their Careers within Homeland Security
For those who need to have the flexibility to schedule their classes and studies around work and family obligations, there are several accredited criminal justice degrees online from reputable colleges and universities. While it will take about the same amount of money to cover tuition and other costs and about the same amount of time to complete the criminal justice degrees online as it does to attend a brick and mortar school, online programs can provide access to this program of study who are not near a college or university that offers a criminal justice degree curriculum.
