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Mission

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an independent US Government agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior US policymakers.

For more on the Agency's mission, visit our Strategic Intent.

 
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The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence

Student Opportunities

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Student Opportunities

Contribute to the work of the nation before you graduate. Apply to participate in one of the outstanding student work programs at the CIA, including undergraduate student internships or undergraduate co-ops, and graduate studies programs.

This is an opportunity to learn from highly skilled professionals who support US officials that make our country's foreign policy. You'll assist with substantive and meaningful work assignments, while earning a competitive income and gaining invaluable practical experience. There's no better place to learn than at the center of intelligence.



Requirements

Student opportunities are highly competitive. You are expected to meet the same employment standards as permanent employees. Applicants must be US citizens and should have a strong academic record (3.0 GPA or better). Foreign language skills, previous international residency and military experience are pluses. Outstanding interpersonal skills, the ability to write clearly and accurately, and a strong interest in foreign affairs are necessary. As part of the hiring process, you must successfully complete medical and polygraph examinations as well as a background investigation.

Student positions offer salaries competitive with the private sector and the same benefits as permanent employees. Students in agency-sponsored programs are also eligible to apply for a one-time tuition assistance award for the last year of study if a job offer has been extended and a minimum GPA is maintained.

All student assignments are located in the Washington, D.C. area. The CIA cannot provide students with housing, however, services are provided that will assist you in identifying affordable, temporary and convenient accommodations.

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Overview of Student Opportunities

Undergraduate Scholarship Program

If you are a high school senior planning to enroll in a 4- or 5-year college program, or you are a college sophomore enrolled in a 4- or 5-year college program, who is looking for career experience in a dynamic environment, apply to the CIA's Undergraduate Scholar Program. The application period is July 15 – November 1. To apply for this position visit the Undergraduate Scholarship Program page.

The Undergraduate Scholar Program was developed, in part, to assist minority and disabled students, but application is open to all students who meet the requirements. The program offers unmatched experience. You'll complete work sessions during each summer break, increasing your knowledge and job responsibilities while assisting intelligence professionals and applying your academic skills.

We believe in challenging our Scholars with meaningful work that relates to their college major. An IT major, for example, might be given increasingly complex projects involving sophisticated computer systems. An engineering major might help produce a piece of state-of-the-art equipment. A finance major could be involved in developing and analyzing budgets for a worldwide operation. A foreign language major might be instrumental in translating documents for US policymakers. As a final example, a human resource major could have the opportunity to develop and implement personnel policies and procedures.

Once selected, you will be given an annual salary; an optional benefits package that includes health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, and retirement; and up to $18,000 per calendar year for tuition, mandatory fees, books, and supplies. You'll be required to work at an Agency facility in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area during summer breaks and to maintain full-time college status during the school year with a minimum cumulative 3.0/4.0 GPA. We will pay the cost of transportation between school and the Washington, D.C. area each summer and provide a housing allowance.

Because the Scholar Program is an investment in you, accepting an offer means making a career choice. We ask that you agree to continue employment with the Agency after college graduation for a period equal to 1.5 times the length of your college sponsorship.

The Scholar Program is extremely competitive. We ask that all applicants meet the following requirements:

  • US citizenship
  • 18 years of age by April 1of your senior year
  • 1000 SAT (Math and Verbal) or 21 ACT scores or higher (high school students)
  • 3.0/4.0 scale high school or college GPA or higher
  • Financial need as demonstrated by the household income ceiling up to $70,000 for a family of four, and $80,000 for a family of five or more
  • Meet the same employment standards as permanent employees, successfully completing both security and medical processing
  • Available to work in the Washington, DC area during your periods of employment

If you are eligible for this Program, apply online between July 15 – November 1. Qualified applicants will be contacted and asked to provide the following information to supplement their online application:

  • SAT or ACT scores (For high school seniors who are taking the SAT or ACT in the fall, please make note of your test date in the application package. All fall test scores must be sent (postmarked) no later than January 15.)
  • Names and ages of all family dependents and your gross family income for current and previous years
  • A copy of your most current Federal Application for Financial Student Aid Form (FAFSA) or SAR must be submitted upon request.
  • A copy of your school transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation

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Undergraduate Co-Op Program

Our cooperative education program began in 1961 to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain work experience in combination with their academic studies.

Over the years, the Co-Op Program has provided benefits, both short- and long-term, to students as well as the Agency. You will be given the opportunity to participate in the vital work of the Agency, to gain unmatched experience and to become acquainted with professionals in the intelligence field. At the same time, the Agency will be able to assess your potential for future permanent employment.

We seek highly motivated undergraduates studying a wide variety of fields, including engineering, computer science, mathematics, economics, physical sciences, foreign languages, area studies, business administration, accounting, international relations, finance, logistics, human resources, geography, national security studies, military and foreign affairs, political science and graphic design.

Co-Op Students are often selected from academic institutions with established cooperative education programs, though not exclusively. You will work on an alternating semester or quarterly basis and are expected to spend a minimum of three semesters or four quarters (this can include a summer tour) on the job prior to graduation. You'll be provided with increasingly challenging assignments that are commensurate with your academic training and ability to assume additional responsibility.

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Undergraduate Internship Program

Interested in foreign affairs? Looking for a career where you can make a difference? We invite you to participate in our Undergraduate Internship Program. This unique program is designed to give promising undergraduate students, particularly minorities and people with disabilities, the opportunity to gain practical work experience that complements their academic studies.

You will be given the opportunity to work with highly-skilled professionals and see first-hand the role the CIA plays in supporting US officials who make our country's foreign policy. We are interested in students majoring in engineering, computer science, mathematics, economics, physical sciences, foreign languages, area studies, business administration, accounting, international relations, finance, logistics, human resources, geography, national security studies, military and foreign affairs, political science and graphic design.

Interns are required to work either a combination of one semester and one summer internship, or two 90-day summer internships.

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Graduate Studies Program

Our Graduate Studies Program looks for bright graduate students who are focusing on international affairs, languages, economics, geography, cartography, physical sciences and engineering. Other majors may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Students selected for this program should be entering either their first or second year of graduate studies following this assignment.

You will become acquainted with the work of professional intelligence analysts through active participation in Agency projects with the potential to have selected pieces of your work disseminated throughout the Intelligence Community. The program allows the Agency to assess your skills and knowledge as they relate to permanent employment opportunities.

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Application Information

Students are eligible for the range of employee benefits including health and life insurance, retirement investment options, paid Federal holidays, annual and sick leave, and possible tuition assistance. The CIA will pay the cost of transportation between school and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

We encourage you to discuss CIA opportunities with your on-campus career advisor or internship/co-op program coordinator and to check your school's schedule for recruiting events. To apply for participation in a student program, you must be at least a college sophomore.

Applications for Summer 2009 employment will be accepted until November 1, 2008.  Applications for winter, spring, and fall employment should be sent six to nine months before the desired start date. Applications for the NCS Undergraduate Internship Program for Summer 2009 will be accepted through July 31, 2008 only. The application period for the Undergraduate Scholarship Program is July 15 - November 1.

To apply online for a specific student position please visit the "College Students" or "Internship" links on the following pages:  Analytical,  Clandestine ServiceScience, Engineering & Technology, or Support Services.

To be considered suitable for Agency employment, applicants must generally not have used illegal drugs within the last 12 months. The issue of illegal drug use prior to 12 months ago is carefully evaluated during the medical and security processing.

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Ongoing Opportunities

Being a participant in the CIA's student programs may be the key to your future. These programs prepare new graduates for careers at the CIA. Based on the CIA's needs, and your performance during your co-op or internship, a job offer may be extended to you upon graduation.

CIA also partners with a number of diversity-focused organizations to give all students an opportunity to contribute to our national security. These organizations include InRoads, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and the Washington Internship for Native Students (WINS). For more information, please contact each organization directly.

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Posted: May 05, 2007 12:39 PM
Last Updated: Aug 25, 2008 10:55 AM
Last Reviewed: Aug 25, 2008 10:55 AM