How Students Can Land Fbi Internships

The FBI offers internships to undergraduate and graduate students through its Honors Internship Program. The program is a 10-week, paid summer internship that provides a meaningful experience for students interested in a career with the FBI. Students work side-by-side with FBI employees at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., or one of the 56 field offices across the country. The internship is open to students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including accounting, foreign languages, information technology, criminal justice, journalism law, and STEM programs. Competitive applicants are strong analytical thinkers, flexible, take initiative, demonstrate good judgment, and have excellent written and oral communication skills.

FBI internship requirements

The FBI offers internship programs to students and recent graduates. The Honors Internship Program (HIP) is a 10-week, paid summer internship for undergraduate and graduate students. The FBI also offers a forensic science research program at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, which is open to postgraduates and faculty members on sabbatical.

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Attend a U.S.-accredited college or university full-time as an undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral student. Students must not be graduating before the program start date.
• Have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.95-3.0, depending on the program
• Pass all FBI employment background investigation requirements, including a drug test and polygraph examination, and be able to receive Top Secret Clearance
• Be able to work in most U.S. locations
• Have strong analytical skills, be flexible, take initiative, demonstrate good judgment, and have excellent written and oral communication skills

Application Process

Students interested in the FBI internship program can learn more about the requirements and application process on the FBI's jobs website. The application period is typically open from mid-to-late September to mid-October. In addition to completing the initial application, interested students must also submit the required documentation, including recent college transcripts and, if applicable, veteran status and previous federal employment forms.

Application process

The FBI offers internship programs for students and recent graduates. The Honors Internship Program (HIP) is a 10-week, paid summer internship for undergraduate and graduate students. The application period is typically between September and October.

• Students must attend a U.S.-accredited college or university full-time.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
• Students must have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Applicants must pass the FBI employment background investigation and receive Top Secret Clearance.
• Students must submit their most recent official college transcripts, anticipated graduation date, veteran status, and related work experience.
• Veterans are encouraged to apply.
• Competitive applicants demonstrate strong analytical thinking skills, flexibility, initiative, good judgment, and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Applicants can rank their top three preferred locations, although these are not guaranteed.
• The 2026 Program Terms Acknowledgement Form is a required attachment for the application.

The FBI offers a unique professional experience to students and recent graduates, providing challenging and rewarding assignments to enhance their resumes and grow their professional networks. Interns can work side-by-side with FBI employees at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., or one of the 56 field offices across the country.

Internship experience

The FBI's Honors Internship Program (HIP) is a unique opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain professional experience and enhance their resumes. The program offers a wide range of challenging and rewarding assignments, providing interns the chance to work alongside FBI professionals and learn from their expertise.

Interns are given the opportunity to work on real cases and perform investigative work in conjunction with special agents, task force officers, and professional staff. They are also encouraged to network with agents and staff, allowing them to build valuable connections within the Bureau.

One intern, Grace, shared that her experience exceeded her expectations. She expected to be doing minor tasks such as getting coffee or scanning papers, but instead, she found herself contributing to important cases and making a meaningful impact. Grace also mentioned that she was able to help craft documents that were used by executives, showcasing the level of trust and responsibility given to interns.

Another intern, a communication and media studies major, described their typical day as varying from interviewing agents to attending events and writing articles. They emphasized the importance of saying yes to as many opportunities as possible to make the most of their internship. This intern also highlighted the impact they were able to have through their work, resonating with the FBI's mission.

An incoming graduate student studying emergency management and homeland security shared their experience as well. They mentioned the value of learning from the attorneys they worked with and receiving genuine mentoring, guidance, and encouragement for their future career. This intern's typical day involved helping with projects, attending meetings and briefings, and networking with agents and staff.

In addition to these experiences, interns also have the chance to visit the FBI Academy and interact with other interns during lunch and breaks. The internship program provides a well-rounded experience, allowing participants to gain insights into different aspects of the Bureau's work.

Internship locations

The FBI's Honors Internship Program is a 10-week, paid summer internship for undergraduate and graduate students. Participants work alongside FBI employees at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., or one of the 56 field offices across the country. Each intern's experience is unique, with interns performing a variety of tasks, from investigative work to administrative tasks, depending on their location and the needs of the FBI.

Interns can be placed at FBI Headquarters (HQ) in Washington, D.C., or at one of the many field offices across the country. While most internships are at HQ divisions, these are not all located in D.C. as some HQ elements are in other locations. Interns can rank their top three preferred locations, and while these preferences are not guaranteed, they are taken into account when placing interns.

The FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, offers internships in forensic science research. This program is open to early-career scientists and recent graduates, providing a unique work experience under the guidance of leading Forensic Scientists.

The field offices across the country offer internships in a variety of areas, including data entry/admin, planning conferences, delivering visas to embassies in DC, role-playing for surveillance training, and writing computer code. Interns can also be placed in offices near their schools to continue their internships during the school year, which is ideal for maintaining security clearances.

The FBI seeks applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including accounting, foreign languages, information technology, criminal justice, journalism law, and all STEM programs. Competitive applicants demonstrate strong analytical thinking, flexibility, initiative, good judgment, and excellent written and oral communication skills.

Career prospects

The FBI Honors Internship Program is a competitive and unique opportunity for students and graduates to gain meaningful experience and insight into the FBI's work and culture. The program is designed to attract talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and foster a future talent pipeline for the organization. With around 12,000 students applying each year for a few hundred slots, it is a highly sought-after internship.

The internship is a paid, 10-week summer program that offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students the chance to work directly with FBI employees. Interns are placed in various FBI divisions, including headquarters in Washington, D.C., and field offices across the country, based on their skills and interests. The FBI seeks interns from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including but not limited to accounting, foreign languages, information technology, criminal justice, journalism, law, and STEM programs. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required, and applicants must pass a comprehensive FBI background investigation and drug test to receive Top Secret clearance.

The internship provides a well-rounded experience, with interns engaging in various tasks and assignments. A typical day for an intern might include administrative work, lab work, conducting surveys, writing literature reviews, observing casework, interviewing agents, attending events, and writing articles. Interns also have the opportunity to work on specific projects, such as community outreach initiatives or creating podcast episodes. The program offers a holistic understanding of the FBI's work and allows interns to contribute their strengths and skills to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution.

The FBI Honors Internship Program serves as a direct pipeline to full-time employment within the organization. Many interns who have proven their capabilities and commitment during the internship are hired for entry-level positions. Common roles for former interns include Administrative positions, Surveillance Specialists, and Security Specialists. The internship is highly regarded and can also qualify individuals for positions with other agencies. It provides a strong foundation for a career in federal law enforcement and national security, offering valuable skills, knowledge, and connections.

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