Learning and professional growth are key to any career at the CIA. Following initial orientation, new employees can expect to invest considerable time learning the skills to perform their job, and then acquiring new skills and knowledge as the world changes and their careers progress. The CIA also sponsors employee participation in professional conferences, academic courses, and vendor-taught workshops.   

CIA University, the learning hub of the CIA, equips employees with the shared values, commitment to mission, knowledge, and excellence in intelligence tradecraft and leadership needed to accomplish extraordinary tasks in service to our nation. The almost one dozen schools under CIAU, partnered with the broader National Intelligence University, provide a wide variety of skills training and educational opportunities with which CIA officers can develop new ways to frame the world in support of national security initiatives. Course offerings evolve as threats and challenges in the world change. Today there are classes focused on the terrorist threat, critical regions of the world, weapons of mass destruction, foreign language training of several languages, and proliferation to name just a few. These classes take place side-by-side with classes on topics such as, new computer systems, project management, the Intelligence Community, and communication skills.    

CIA employees deployed to the field benefit from both traditional classroom instruction, as well as, cutting-edge on-line and mobile learning technologies. An officer serving abroad may find himself/herself in a video teleconference for training on a new financial management tool, engaging in an interactive on-line course on biological weapons, or listening to a foreign language pod-cast to improve language skills. As employees advance and take on greater responsibility, they have access to world-class management and leadership training, as well as, advanced training in key occupational and substantive areas, often sitting side-by-side with their counterparts from other Intelligence Community agencies.

The world of intelligence is increasingly complex, making continuous learning an imperative for every Agency employee. Fortunately, a robust set of thought provoking and engaging educational opportunities are available to meet the need, all specially designed to position CIA employees for mission success.