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What Was Jack Bauer's College Major?

Published on Monday 14th of May, 2007

If you're a 24 fan, then you probably know where Jack Bauer studied and trained for his ultimate career as a member of the U.S. government in the field for the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU). But, if you haven't followed the 24 series, his background is available on his official character page. If you're a college student hoping to follow in Jack Bauer's footsteps, I may spoil it for all of you when I show you home some aspects of Bauer's history were virtually impossible to achieve.

While the list of Bauer's educational and military histories aren't categorized by date, it would seem that he achieved his degrees before he entered the military. One theory is that Jack joined the military in defiance when his father, Phillip, offered Jack a position at BXJ Technologies, Phillip's company. This job offering would logically follow the acquisition of a college degree, so I'll begin with those accomplishments.

Bauer first obtained his BA in English literature from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), and this degree seems credible and a viable option if he wanted to make communications and writing a major goal for his career. If Jack chose the world literature concentration, he then took four upper division courses in foreign literatures, one of which was taught in the original language. Jack could use these communication and cultural learning skills effectively in his military and government positions.

Jack then acquired his MS in criminology and law from UC Berkeley. Unfortunately, UC Berkeley hasn't offered this degree in decades. With that said, a graduate degree in this area is a perfect choice for someone who wants to work in anti-terrorism fields. Since 9/11, many colleges have added various courses and degrees that focus on homeland security options. Some options within this field are listed under the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent critical skills. Jack would fit neatly into the "diversified" category, which requires a BS or BA degree in any discipline plus three years of full-time work experience, or an advanced degree accompanied by two years of full-time work experience.

But, wait...Jack doesn't have any experience yet. This is where the military filled that void. Bauer's participation in the U.S. Army's Combat Applications Group (CAG) and in the Delta Force's counter terrorist group were perfect choices to become a prime candidate for any governmental anti-terrorism position. Interestingly, it seems that Bauer padded his resume, since the U.S. Army's CAG unit is, basically, the same as Delta Force (Ft Bragg, NC), and the entire shebang is known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D).

The 1st SFOD-D plans and conducts a "broad range of special operations across the operational continuum" while trying to maintain the "lowest possible profile of U.S. involvement." Secretive missions are this group's specialty. Assignment to this unit involves an extensive prescreening process that requires at least eight months previous participation in training courses. As a member of this unit, Jack may have had experiences in hostage negotiations, intelligence gathering, and as a bodyguard. All experiences would put Jack in close contact with the FBI and the CIA, relationships that play heavily in Jack's ongoing activities.

Jack's education also includes the LASD (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department) Basic SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) School. The LASD's SED (Special Enforcement Detail) offers Basic and Advanced SWAT school and Tactical Long Rifle and Explosive Breaching training throughout the year. These schools are open to members and outside agency tactical teams. Since students in these schools include specialized federal and military contingents, he probably attended the SWAT school while in the military or when he became a member of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Bauer's resume was again padded with an educational note about the Special Forces Operations Training Course. This training was obtained either in the military or through the LASD. With that aside, Jack added to his educational military career in CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) as a special agent in charge and director of field operations in the Los Angeles Domestic Unit (LADU). Don't look for a career with any CTU division, especially within the LADU. It doesn't exist.

Even though Bauer represents the ideal and idealistic counter-intelligence agent, his career illuminates several interesting points:

One question remains: As a counter-terrorist agent, do you need to suffer the personal losses that Bauer experiences? This depends upon your participation within an anti-terrorism activity. You could participate in risk analysis and planning or in policy, strategy, plan development and implementation or in program management. Unless you're specifically targeted by terrorists, your risks would be no higher than those faced by any other person who pushes paper. But, if you become involved with weaponry and on-the-ground activities, your risks increase. Plus, if you become a whistle-blower like Jack, you could increase your risks even more...although, supposedly, you would be protected from retaliation by such measures as the Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act (CCFA), a portion of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Jack once said to his partner Chase Edmunds at the end of season three, "You cannot do this job and have a normal life at the same time." You may never know if this statement is true unless you try your hand at this career. But if you avoid drugs (Jack was addicted to heroin) and realize that life is much more boring than any seasonal 24-hour script, you may experience a long life in counter-terrorism.

How You Can Become a Real-Life Jack Bauer

Here is a list of a few college-level courses you can take if you wish to follow in Jack's footsteps.

You can also go on to earn a doctoral degree in criminal justice, but you might think about learning skills through a local SWAT course or train through various programs offered at local colleges or community centers. After all, you need to be between ages 23 and 37 to work as an FBI agent as mentioned previously, so you don't want to cut your time too short with too many classes. After all, who knows what Jack will be once his anti-terrorism career ends? If not dead, he could work as a judge or even as a vigilante.


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