Students and Internships

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students

Majors/fields: Foreign area studies, computer science, business administration, human resources, public administration, international relations, legal studies, political science, STEM fields, engineering or intelligence analysis

When: May through August over a 10–12-week period. Internship announcements typically open in March.

The SIP provides promising students the opportunity to gain practical, on-the-job experience working side-by-side with intelligence, technology, human resources and other professionals in their field of study while providing support to the DIA mission. While at DIA, you will gain insight into a career in the Intelligence Community, what it takes to support the warfighter and how to become a permanent employee at DIA. You will work full-time during the summer and enjoy the same benefits as permanent employees.

You are paid on a bi-weekly basis and your salary is based on the total number of completed credit hours. You can accrue annual and sick leave, as well as be paid for federal holidays.

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be enrolled in a full-time U.S. accredited college or university or be a recent graduate, depending on the program.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Maintain a security clearance. Dual citizenship holders are eligible to receive a security clearance under this program.

Open to: Undergraduate and graduate students

Majors/fields: Foreign area studies, computer science, business administration, human resources, public administration, international relations, legal studies, political science, STEM fields, engineering or intelligence analysis

When: January to May for one academic semester. Internship announcements typically open in March.

You will gain valuable work experience combined with your academic studies by exchanging one academic semester for full-time employment. You will serve your country by participating in the critical work of the agency through an extended work period. You will also receive other federal and DIA benefits like annual and sick leave, federal holidays, the Civilian Fitness Program, foreign language program and Mass Transit Benefit program.

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program, or be a recent graduate, depending on the program.
• Have minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Have a minimum of 30 semester hours or equivalent.
• Live within a 50-mile radius of your duty station.
• Have successfully completed the Summer Internship Program or co-op program.
• Maintain a security clearance. Dual citizenship holders are eligible to receive a security clearance under this program.

Open to: Current Summer Internship Program and Co-op interns enrolled in undergraduate and graduate program

Majors/fields: Foreign area studies, computer science, business administration, human resources, public administration, international relations, legal studies, political science, STEM fields, engineering or intelligence analysis

When: August to May during your fall and spring semesters. If you are graduating, you cannot participate in ASIP, but you may receive a 120-day extension if you successfully complete the Summer Internship Program. ASIP is a retention program so there is no internship application period for this program.

The ASIP is a retention program where you can continue gaining practical work experience in your respective career fields while enrolled in classes. You must complete the Summer Internship Program to apply. We offer a limited number of paid academic semester internships. You will work for one semester as a part-time employee (29 hours per week) with the possibility for extension into the following semester. You can also take advantage of our foreign language program and mass transit benefit program.

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program, or be a recent graduate, depending on program.
• Have minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Have a minimum of 30 semester hours or equivalent.
• Live within a 50-mile radius of your duty station.
• Have successfully completed the Summer Internship Program or co-op program.
• Maintain a security clearance. Dual citizenship holders are eligible to receive a security clearance under this program.

Open to: High school seniors, college freshmen and sophomores

Majors/fields: Foreign area studies, computer science, business administration, human resources, public administration, international relations, legal studies, political science, STEM fields, engineering or intelligence analysis

When: May to August over a 10–12-week period. Internship announcements typically open in September or October.

STOKES is a needs-based program offering tuition assistance to students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities, while providing challenging summer work and guaranteed employment in their field of study upon graduation. You will attend classes full-time during the academic year and work at DIA full time during the summer in positions related to your course of study. Once you graduate, you must commit to working at DIA for up to 18 months of continued service for each academic year of the STOKES educational sponsorship. You will also receive other federal and DIA benefits like annual and sick leave, federal holidays, the Civilian Fitness Program, foreign language program and Mass Transit Benefit Program.

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be enrolled or seeking enrollment in an undergraduate degree program.
• Be a high school student in your senior year at the time of application.
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
• Have exhibited leadership abilities through your extracurricular student activities, civic involvement, volunteer work or part-time employment.
• As a college freshmen or sophomore, you will need to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• All immediate family members have U.S. citizenship.
• Maintain a security clearance. Dual citizenship holders are not eligible to receive a security clearance through this program.

Application tips for high school seniors

Your high school guidance office must review your application prior to submitting it online and must include:

• Your entire high school transcript and a list of scheduled classes for your senior year.
• Your SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Test) results.
• A completed (DIA form 418A) which includes your gender, ethnicity, race and disability self-identification.
• Your resume, including extracurricular activities during high school (awards, leadership roles, etc.), civic involvement, volunteer work or part-time employment.
• An essay explaining why you wish to pursue a particular field of study and illustrating your leadership ability.
• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a copy of last year's income tax return of your parent(s) or guardians.

If any of the items listed above are missing, we will not consider your application package.

Application tips for college freshmen and sophomore students

You must submit your application online and include:

• Your complete transcript and a list of courses scheduled for the next semester.
• Your resume, including your extracurricular activities, civil involvement, volunteer work and any work experience.
• One signed letter of recommendation from a college professor or employer.
• An essay explaining why you wish to pursue a particular field of study and illustrating your leadership ability.

This program connects federal sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities eager to apply their knowledge, skills and abilities in the workplace through summer internships.

Once selected for the program, you will connect with an employee mentor. Your mentor will assist you with interviewing techniques, goal setting, the federal application process and other workplace challenges. You are eligible to work full-time for up to 14 weeks or part-time for up to 28 weeks.

Currently, WRP opens its student registration in August. Please also visit the WRP website for more registration information.

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be enrolled in a full–time undergraduate or graduate degree program.
• Have a minimum of 60 semester hours and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent.
• Provide proof of disability.

Learn more about the Workforce Recruitment Program and application process.

Open to: Undergraduate or graduate students

Majors/fields: STEM fields within SMART's 21 approved fields of study

When: May to June for up to three summers. Internship announcements typically open in August.

This program provides you with a full-time, paid summer internship. You must pursue a degree in science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) fields of study. Current DoD employees seeking advanced degrees can apply. We will provide paid tuition and fees, a stipend and guaranteed employment when you successfully complete the program.

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be pursuing a degree in one of SMART's 21 approved STEM fields of study.
• Have a minimum of 60 semester hours or its equivalent and possess a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent at the time of application.

Open to: Undergraduate or graduate students

Majors/fields: Foreign area studies, computer science, business administration, human resources, public administration, international relations, legal studies, political science, STEM fields, engineering or intelligence analysis

When: Internship announcements open in November. NSEP Interns are hired year-round.

This program connects federal employers and U.S. citizens with foreign language and international exposure to work in national security positions. This scholarship program promotes language skills, cultural awareness and an understanding of national security issues. If you are awarded a NSEP scholarship, you will spend the entire internship working on federally funded projects.

This one-year, full-time internship program provides you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge and gain practical work experience.

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Have a minimum of 60 semester hours or its equivalent and a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent at the time of application.
• Include a narrative of work experience that highlights your interest in the intelligence field or other specialized skills.
• Be a recipient of a grant or scholarship under the David L. Boren National Security Education Program.
• Have an anticipated graduation date between June and September.
• Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a university or college.
• Maintain a security clearance. Dual citizenship holders may be eligible to receive a security clearance under this program.

Open to: First-year Juris Doctor (J.D.) student

Majors/fields: Law school

When: May to June over a 12-week period. Internship announcements open in February and November.

In this program, you will gain experience on a full-time basis and receive academic credit for your time.

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be a first-year J.D. student enrolled in a full-time U.S. accredited law school.
• Maintain a security clearance. Dual citizenship holders are eligible to receive a security clearance under this program.

Open to: Undergraduate students

Majors/fields: Politics, government or public service

When: May to June over a 12-week period. Internship announcements open in June.

You will experience a substantive, career-oriented summer internship in politics, government or public service.

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be enrolled full-time in a U.S. accredited college or university degree program.
• Maintain a security clearance. Dual citizenship holders are eligible to receive a security clearance under this program.

To apply, contact the career services or career center at your university. Learn more about the HARVARD Program.

Open to: Undergraduate students

Majors/fields: Politics, government or public service

This one-year civilian fellowship program provides you with leadership development for a career track toward senior leadership in the Department of Defense. You will experience rotations in the Office of the Secretary of Defense or an office of a secretary of a military branch. You will also gain experience and leadership skills through challenging opportunities that allow you to flourish into a problem solver, strategic thinker and a future leader. Mentorship by DoD senior leaders is also part of the program.

Please visit the McCain website for application window.