Are you looking for an exciting and challenging internship or Cooperative Education (Co-op) experience? Consider employment with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as an undergraduate or graduate student. CIA offers opportunities for students to work in summer, fall, winter, and spring.
Year Round Opportunities...Timing is Everything!
CIA offers employment for students throughout the year, not just during the summer. Although a deadline might be posted, you can submit your application at any time of year, except if you are applying for the DO internship or our scholarship programs. General Internship, Co-op and Graduate Studies opportunities for Summer 2019 will close on July 31, 2018. It is essential to submit your application at least 12 months before your desired start date because, if you get an employment offer, we will need time to process your security clearance. To figure out what this means for you and when to apply, see the list below:
- Community College Student, you are eligible to apply for the Undergraduate Scholarship Program, and the Undergraduate Internship or Co-op Program. Before you begin your internship, you will need to provide proof of acceptance into a four-year degree program and your transcript with at least a 3.0 GPA. Although the majority of occupations require a four-year degree, there also are some opportunities open to individuals with a two-year associate’s degree, specifically in the support and information technology fields. Browse jobs by category to learn more and find a role that fits your skills and experience.
- College Junior, you may ONLY apply for the Undergraduate Internship or Co-op Program if you are participating in a five year undergraduate program. You can also apply to the Graduate Scholarship Program or the Graduate Studies Program if you are going into graduate school immediately after completing your undergraduate degree. Your final acceptance into either of the graduate programs will depend on your acceptance into graduate school. If you do not satisfy these requirements, you also are eligible to apply for a full-time staff position. Browse jobs by category to learn more and find a role that fits your skills and experience.
- College Senior, you are ONLY eligible to apply for the Graduate Scholarship Program or the Graduate Studies Program if you are committed to attending graduate school immediately after completing your undergraduate degree. Your final acceptance into either of the graduate programs will depend on your acceptance into graduate school. You also are eligible for a full-time staff position. Browse jobs by category to learn more and find a role that fits your skills and experience.
- Masters Student, you should apply to the Graduate Scholarship Program or the Graduate Studies Program in the summer BEFORE your first year of graduate school, unless you are going into a PhD program. If you are going to pursue a PhD, apply to these programs at least 12 months before you are available to work. You also are eligible for a full-time staff position. Browse jobs by category to learn more and find a role that fits your skills and experience.
Important Notice: When you submit your online application YOU MUST attach all required documents requested in the position description. Learn more about our application process.
Directorate of Operations (DO) Opportunity
First Year College Student, you may also apply for the DO Undergraduate Internship Program. Applications for Summers 2019/2020 stopped accepting applications on March 15, 2018. Please check back in December 2018 for more information on DO internships in Summers 2020/2021.
Scholarship Opportunities
Interested in the financial need-based Undergraduate Scholarship Program or Graduate Scholarship Program opportunities for Summer 2019? Applications for these opportunities are now open and will be accepted until midnight July 31, 2018 (EDT).
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
- Focuses on full-time college students currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university with co-operative programs
- For students in a range of programs, such as engineering, computer science, mathematics, economics, physical sciences, foreign languages, area studies, business administration, accounting, information technology, international relations, finance, logistics, human resources, geography, national security studies, military and foreign affairs, political science or graphic design
- Prior to graduation, students work on an alternating semester or quarterly basis
- Requires a minimum of one three-month work tour but more work tours are desired
- Submit application at least 12 months before the desired start date
- If you are graduating in Spring 2018 and plan to attend a post-graduate program, apply under the Graduate Studies Program
- Undergraduate Internship Program
- Focuses on full-time college students currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university
- For students majoring in programs such as engineering, computer science, mathematics, economics, physical sciences, foreign languages, area studies, business administration, accounting, information technology, international relations, finance, logistics, human resources, geography, national security studies, military and foreign affairs, political science or graphic design
- Work tour length is generally 90 days; however, the office and the student agree on the actual length of the work tour. Many students work a minimum of one work tour, but more work tours are desired
- Submit application at least 12 months before the desired start date
- If you are graduating in Spring 2018 and plan to attend a post-graduate program, apply under the Graduate Studies Program
- Undergraduate Scholarship Program
- Focuses on high school seniors enrolling in an accredited college or university, or first year or second year full-time college students enrolled in an accredited college or university
- Demonstrate financial need; 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 meals and incidentals
- Must agree to continue employment with the CIA after college graduation for a period equal to 1.5 times the length of sponsorship
- Application period is February 15 – July 31
- Graduate Scholarship Program
- Focuses on full-time students who are entering graduate school, current graduate students, or doctoral students
- Demonstrate financial need; 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 meals and incidentals
- Must agree to continue employment with the CIA after college graduation for a period equal to 1.5 times the length of sponsorship
- Application period is February 15 – July 31
- Graduate Studies Program
- Focuses on full-time students entering their first or second year of graduate studies in an accredited college or university
- For students in a range of programs, such as economics, engineering, computer science, political science, information technology, international affairs, foreign language, area studies, geography, cartography, and physical sciences; other majors may be accepted
- Must be able to complete at least one 90-day tour prior to graduation
- Active participation in projects with potential to have work disseminated throughout the Intelligence Community
- Submit application at least 12 months before the desired start date
- If you will receive your graduate degree in the next 12 months, browse jobs by category to learn more and find a role that fits your skills and experience
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 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
The CIA offers a comprehensive benefits package to reflect the dedication and contributions of our employees such as:
- Paid Internships/Co-Op Opportunities
- Paid Transportation Costs (School to the Washington, DC area)
- Assistance With Housing search options
- Potential Tuition Assistance
- Insurance (health and life)
To see a complete list, please visit our benefits page.
- 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
- Students are encouraged to bring their own transportation, as it is sometimes difficult get around the Washington, DC area without a vehicle
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