Are you looking for an exciting and challenging internship or cooperative education experience? Consider employment with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as an undergraduate or graduate student. CIA offers employment for students throughout the year--summer, winter, spring and fall.
Fall, Winter, and Spring Opportunities
CIA offers employment for students throughout the year, not just during the summer. Applications for winter, spring, and fall should be submitted at least 9-12 months before the desired start date.
Summer Opportunities
Directorate of Operations Undergraduate Internship Program (available to college freshman only) for Summers 2018/2019 began accepting applications on 15 December 2016. Applications will be accepted until midnight, EDT, 15 March 2017.
General Internship, Co-op and Graduate Studies opportunities for Summer 2018 will open in January 2017. Applications received before 1 May 2017 will have the highest chances of being selected and completing the clearance process in time for Summer 2018. Opportunities for Summer 2017 are closed.
Scholarship Opportunities
The Undergraduate Scholarship and Graduate Scholarship Program opportunities for Summer 2018 will open in April 2017. Opportunities for Summer 2017 are closed.
Learn more about and apply for specific internship and co-op positions by visiting the High School, Undergraduate and Graduate Student pages.
Student Programs Overview
- Undergraduate Co-Op Program
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- For students in a range of programs, 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 or graphic design.
- Will work on an alternating semester or quarterly basis
- Expect to spend 3+ semesters or 4 quarters on the job
- Targets students currently enrolled in schools with co-operative programs
- Applications should be submitted at least 9-12 months before the desired start date
- Undergraduate Internship Program
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- For 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 or graphic design
- Many students work a minimum of two work tours (student work tour length is generally 90 days; however, the actual length of the work tour is agreed upon between the office and the student)
- Applications should be submitted at least 9-12 months before the desired start date
- Undergraduate Scholarship Program
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- For high school seniors enrolling in an accredited college or university, or college freshmen or sophomores enrolled in an accredited college or university
- Financial need as demonstrated by the gross annual household income ceiling up to $70,000 for a family of four or less, and $80,000 for a family of five or more.
- If the applicant has not been listed as a dependent for the previous tax year, the gross annual household income ceiling is $35,000 or less
- Annual salary, federal benefits package, and up to $18,000 per calendar year for tuition, fees, and books
- Paid transportation between school and the Washington, DC area each summer, plus a daily allowance for lodging, meals and incidentals
- Must agree to continue employment with the CIA after college graduation equal to 1.5 times the length of sponsorship
- Application period is 1 April - 23 September
- Graduate Scholarship Program
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- For students who are entering graduate school, current graduate students, or doctoral students
- Financial need as demonstrated by the gross annual household income ceiling up to $70,000 for a family of four or less, and $80,000 for a family of five or more.
- If the applicant has not been listed as a dependent for the previous tax year, the gross annual household income ceiling is $35,000 or less
- Annual salary, federal benefits package, and up to $18,000 per calendar year for tuition, fees, and books
- Paid transportation between school and the Washington, DC area each summer, plus a daily allowance for lodging, meals and incidentals
- Must agree to continue employment with the CIA after college graduation equal to 1.5 times the length of sponsorship
- Application period is 1 April - 23 September
- Graduate Studies Program
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- For graduate students who focus on economics, engineering, computer science, political science, international affairs, foreign language, area studies, geography, cartography, and physical sciences; other majors may be accepted
- Should be entering their first or second year of graduate studies in an accredited college or university
- Active participation in projects with potential to have work disseminated throughout the Intelligence Community
- Applications should be submitted at least 9-12 months before the desired start date
Program Requirements & Information
- General Requirements
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- US citizenship (dual national US citizens are eligible)
- 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale
- Foreign language skills and previous international residency are pluses
- Medical/polygraph examinations and background investigation required
- Assignments are ONLY in the Washington, DC metro area
- Because of safety concerns for the prospective applicant, as well as security and communication issues, the CIA Recruitment Center does not accept applications, nor can we return phone calls, e-mails or other forms of communication, from US citizens living outside of the US.
- Benefits
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- Paid Internships/Co-Op Opportunities
- Paid Transportation Costs (School to the Washington, DC area)
- Assistance With Housing Search
- Potential Tuition Assistance
- Drug Use
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- To be considered suitable for Agency employment, applicants must generally not have used illegal drugs within the last 12 months
- Drug use is one of the common reasons applicants are denied a security clearance
- You cannot work for the CIA without a security clearance
- Illegal Downloading
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- Illegal downloading, use, distribution or sale of songs, games, software and other electronic files will be carefully evaluated during security processing
- Applicants are reminded that the theft of copyrighted material may disqualify them from Agency employment
- Living in the Washington, DC area
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- Explore the US Census Bureau's American FactFinder pages: http://factfinder2.census.gov to find demographic and cost of living information about specific communities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area
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