Student Opportunities
You can contribute to the work of the nation before you graduate.
The CIA offers student work opportunities in the form of undergraduate
student internships or co-ops, and graduate studies programs.
If you would like to work with highly skilled professionals to
support US officials who make our country's foreign policy, the
CIA is looking for you.
Our programs will benefit you and the Agency. 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
• DO
Undergraduate Student Intern
• DO
Graduate Student Intern
• Undergraduate
Scholarship Program
• Undergraduate
Co-Op Program
• Undergraduate
Internship Program
• Graduate
Studies Programs
• Roberts
Scholarship Program
Ongoing Opportunities
Application Information
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, DC, area.
The CIA cannot provide students with housing, however, services
are provided that will assist you in identifying affordable, temporary
and convenient accommodations.
Student Opportunities
DO Undergraduate Student Intern
This internship program is offered as either a one six-month
student internship, or as a student internship consisting of two
three-month sessions. Six-month internships begin in either January
or July; students selecting the two three-month option will be
able to select the start times for the sessions. Undergraduates
join the program at the GS-5, step 6 pay grade, with benefits.
Those participating in the DO Student Intern Program will not
be given college credit.
Assistance is available for students who need help finding housing.
Interns will be assigned to work in one of the DO's regional and
transnational issues divisions for the duration of the internship
assignment. You will support intelligence reporting and the operations
of the CIA's overseas stations.
All positions require relocation to the Washington, DC, metropolitan
area.
During your internship, you may apply for the DO's Professional
Trainee (PT) program and subsequently qualify for the Clandestine
Service Trainee (CST) program. This program prepares new graduates
for careers at the CIA. Based on the results of the program interviews
and your performance during the internship, a job offer may be
extended to you for employment upon graduation.
CIA internships are highly competitive. Students 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.
US Citizenship is required. Interns must successfully complete
medical and polygraph examinations as well as a background investigation.
Those students applying for the PT or CST programs must successfully
complete a thorough medical and psychological evaluation before
entering the program.
Please apply at least six months prior to your desired start
date.
DO Graduate Student Intern
This internship program is offered as either a one six-month
student internship, or as a student internship consisting of two
three-month sessions. Six-month internships begin in either January
or July; students selecting the two three-month option will be
able to select the start times for the sessions. Graduate students
enter the program at the GS-7, step 6 pay grade, with benefits.
Those participating in the DO Student Intern Program will not
be given college credit.
Assistance is available for students who need help finding housing.
Interns will be assigned to work in one of the DO's regional and
transnational issues divisions for the duration of the internship
assignment. You will support intelligence reporting and the operations
of the CIA's overseas stations.
All positions require relocation to the Washington, DC, metropolitan
area.
During your internship, you may apply for the DO's Professional
Trainee (PT) program and subsequently qualify for the Clandestine
Service Trainee (CST) program. This program prepares new graduates
for careers at the CIA. Based on the results of the program interviews
and your performance during the internship, a job offer may be
extended to you for employment upon graduation.
CIA internships are highly competitive. Students 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.
US Citizenship is required. Interns must successfully complete
medical and polygraph examinations as well as a background investigation.
Those students applying for the PT or CST programs must successfully
complete a thorough medical and psychological evaluation before
entering the program.
Please apply at least six months prior to your desired start
date.
Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Applications for the Undergraduate Scholarship Program are
accepted from
15 July - 1 November.
Are you a high school senior planning to enroll in an accredited
four- or five-year college program or a college sophomore interested
in working for a dynamic agency? If so, the Central Intelligence
Agency might have a special program and career position for you.
The Undergraduate Scholarship Program has as its goal the attraction
of minorities and students with disabilities. It offers the opportunity
to work at the forefront of our nation's foreign intelligence
effort. You will be given meaningful work that relates to your
college major. For example: A computer major will have increasingly
more complex jobs involving sophisticated computer systems. An
engineering major might help produce a piece of state-of-the-art
equipment, work monitoring research and production contracts,
or analyze the technical developments in a foreign country. A
foreign language major may be instrumental in translating documents
for US policymakers.
Scholars selected for the Program are provided a salary and up
to $18,000 per school year for tuition, fees, books and supplies.
They work each summer at an Agency facility. All scholars are
required to maintain a full-time college status and a minimum
cumulative 3.0 GPA. All students must agree to continue
employment with the Agency after college graduation for a period
1.5 times the length of their college sponsorship. For the summer
work periods, the Agency pays the cost of transportation between
school and the Washington, DC, area and provides a housing allowance.
The Agency is looking for high school seniors and college sophomores
who meet all of these requirements:
- US citizen
- 18 years of age by April of senior year (for high school
seniors)
- 1000 SAT/21 ACT scores or higher (for high school seniors)
- 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA or higher
- Demonstrated financial need for tuition assistance (household
income
ceiling of $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
If you believe you are eligible for this Program, apply online
no later than 1 November. In the comments section of the
resume form, you must include your SAT or ACT scores, names and
ages of all family dependents, and your gross family income for
the current and previous years. If found competitive for this
program, a copy of your school transcripts and letters of recommendation
will be requested. Scholarship finalists are selected and notified
in the spring.
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.
Student Trainees 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.
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.
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.
The Pat Roberts Intelligence Scholars
Program (PRISP)
Applications for PRISP are due online no later than 15 October
2004.
The Pat Roberts Intelligence Scholars Program (PRISP) is a new
program through
which highly qualified undergraduate or graduate students who
plan to work at the CIA
may compete for a $25,000 one-year scholarship to help fund their
studies.
The Directorate of Intelligence (DI) is accepting applications
from students with the
following academic areas of study:
The Agency is looking for undergraduate and graduate students
who meet all of these
requirements:
PRISP Scholars may compete again for a second year of scholarship
funding for a maximum of $50,000 total scholarship funding. Upon graduation,
an 18-month employment commitment is required for each year of scholarship
support provided. By applying to the PRISP, you are applying to the DI Graduate Fellows
program. If you are selected as a DI Graduate Fellow by 15 November
2004, you will be considered for the PRISP. Final scholarship
selections will be made in spring 2005. Applicants who are not
awarded a scholarship, but who successfully complete security
processing, will be offered a position as a DI Graduate Fellow.
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), and the National Association
for Equal Opportunities in Higher Education (NAFEO). For more
information, please contact each organization directly.
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.
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.
We ask students to apply six to nine months prior to their availability
to allow for processing. Eligible applicants should submit
a resume online.
For questions about student opportunities, please call 1-800-368-3886.
