Lori Meadows
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the United States' first line of defence and requires its employees to meet specific criteria to qualify for employment. Applicants must be physically present in the US or its territories and be US citizens (dual citizenship is also accepted) to apply. The CIA offers internships and cooperative education programs for undergraduate students to gain real-world experience in their field of study. While there are no specific degree requirements, criminal justice and political science are common fields of study for applicants. The CIA also offers the Stokes Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to students who commit to working at the CIA after graduation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a U.S. citizen or dual-national U.S. citizen |
| Age | Must be at least 18 years old |
| Location | Must be physically in the United States or its territories when applying |
| Education | High school diploma or GED, bachelor's degree, and in some cases, a graduate degree |
| GPA | Competitive schools may require a GPA above 3.5, while less competitive schools may accept GPAs in the 3.0 or 2.5 range |
| SAT scores | May be required by some schools, and can offset a lower GPA |
| Degree field | Criminal justice and political science are common, but various fields are accepted, including STEM, international studies, foreign language, business, accounting, finance, and law |
| Work experience | Some positions require one or more years of professional experience in addition to a degree |
| Financial need | For scholarship programs, an adjusted gross annual household income ceiling of $120,000 (or $50,000 if not listed as a dependent) |
| Security and medical evaluations | Must undergo background investigations, polygraph interviews, and physical and psychological examinations |
| Selective Service | Must be registered |
| Military service | Previous military service may be advantageous |
| Accommodations | Available during the hiring process |
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What You'll Learn
Internships and co-op programs
The CIA offers a range of internships and co-op programs for students, providing unique and rewarding experiences and the opportunity to work alongside experts in various fields. These programs allow students to gain valuable real-world experience within the Intelligence Community.
Internships
The CIA offers year-round internship programs for undergraduate students, allowing them to work in several areas before graduating. The internships typically last for a year and are available in a range of subjects, including Finance, Economics, Foreign Language, Engineering, and Information Technology. Students can work with experts in their respective fields and gain valuable skills and knowledge.
Co-op Programs
The CIA's co-op program is designed to help students meet the specific requirements of cooperative education programs offered by their schools. Students work on an alternating semester basis for at least three semesters before graduating, including a possible summer work session. This program provides a more extended opportunity to gain practical experience and work alongside CIA professionals.
Stokes Scholarship Program
The Stokes Scholarship Program is a financial needs-based scholarship that provides university tuition assistance. Participants acquire mission-critical skills by interning in the Weapons, Missile, and Munitions Analysis Group (WMA) each summer while completing their degrees. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate financial need, with an adjusted gross annual household income (AGI) ceiling of up to $120,000 (or up to $50,000 if the scholar has not been listed as a dependent for the previous tax year). Acceptance of the Stokes scholarship includes signing a Continued Service Agreement, committing to work at the CIA for 1.5 years for each year in the program.
Application Process
Students interested in internship or co-op programs should submit their expressions of interest at least 6-12 months before their desired start date. The CIA's hiring process is lengthy and includes security and medical evaluations, background investigations, polygraph interviews, and physical and psychological examinations. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or dual-national U.S. citizens, be at least 18 years old, and be physically present in the United States or its territories when submitting their resumes.
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Scholarship programs
To apply for any position at the CIA, including its scholarship programs, applicants must be U.S. citizens or dual U.S. citizens. The CIA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or granting, denying, or revoking security clearances. All applicants must go through a rigorous hiring process, including medical and security evaluations, a background investigation, a polygraph interview, and a physical and psychological examination.
The CIA offers a variety of student programs, including internships and cooperative education programs, to provide students with unique and rewarding experiences and help them develop critical skills. The Stokes Scholarship Program is a financial needs-based scholarship that provides university tuition assistance. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate financial need, with an adjusted gross annual household income (AGI) ceiling of up to $120,000 for dependents and up to $50,000 if the scholar has not been claimed as a dependent for the previous tax year.
Participants in the Stokes Scholarship Program will acquire mission-critical skills by interning in the WMA each summer while completing their degrees. They must sign a Continued Service Agreement, obligating them to work at the CIA for 1.5 years for every year they receive scholarship funding. The CIA also offers year-round internship programs that allow undergraduate students to work in various areas before graduating. These internships provide valuable real-world experience within the Intelligence Community, allowing interns to work alongside experts in their fields of study.
The CIA encourages individuals with a wide variety of educational backgrounds to apply for its scholarship and internship programs. While criminal justice and political science are the most common fields of study, the agency seeks talent in other areas such as STEM, international studies, foreign languages, business, accounting, finance, and law.
It is important to note that the CIA is not currently accepting applications for the Summer 2026 Stokes Scholar Program. The application process for this scholarship typically requires submitting an expression of interest during the timetable listed on the program's page. Interested individuals should also be prepared to provide transcripts within 30 days of each semester's completion and maintain high standards of work performance, attendance, and conduct at both school and work.
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Education requirements
To be eligible for a role at the CIA, applicants must be U.S. citizens or dual U.S. citizens, be at least 18 years old, and be physically present in the United States or its territories when submitting their resume.
Beyond these basic requirements, the CIA is looking for candidates with a wide variety of educational backgrounds. Criminal justice and political science are the most common fields of study for applicants, but the CIA also encourages students with backgrounds in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), international studies, foreign languages, business, accounting, finance, and law to apply.
When it comes to specific degree requirements, some CIA roles require a specific degree, while others do not. A bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study to complete, while a graduate degree can take an additional 18 months to two years. Many degrees require an internship to graduate, and internships are also available through the CIA for undergraduate students. These internships allow students to work in several areas and gain real-world experience within the Intelligence Community.
In addition to a college degree, some CIA positions require one or more years of professional experience. This pre-CIA work experience is an opportunity to learn the latest skills and earn certifications that can make a candidate more competitive.
The CIA also offers financial needs-based scholarships, such as the Stokes Scholarship Program, which provides university tuition assistance. Participants in this program acquire mission-critical skills through interning each summer while completing their degree. Acceptance of Stokes scholarship funds comes with the obligation to work at the CIA for 1.5 years for every year in the program.
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Hiring process
The CIA offers a variety of student internship and cooperative education programs that provide unique and rewarding experiences. These programs allow undergraduate students to work in several areas before they graduate, helping to safeguard the nation with their language abilities and other skills. The CIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides accommodations for applicants during the hiring process if needed.
The CIA's hiring process is designed to ensure that all candidates meet the specific criteria and high standards of integrity required for employment at the agency. The process is lengthy and thorough, including security and medical evaluations, background investigations, and polygraph interviews.
To be eligible for the hiring process, applicants must:
- Be physically present in the United States or one of its territories when submitting their resume via MyLINK.
- Be a U.S. citizen or dual-national U.S. citizen, with proof of citizenship required.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be willing to relocate to the Washington, DC area, as all positions are based there.
- Register for the Selective Service, if applicable.
Once applicants have entered the hiring process, they will undergo a comprehensive evaluation, including:
- Security clearance: A background investigation is conducted to assess the candidate's ability to protect sensitive information and identify any conflicts of interest or potential for coercion.
- Medical evaluation: A physical and psychological examination is required to assess the candidate's health and fitness for the essential job duties.
- Polygraph interview: Conducted by highly trained security professionals, this interview covers a range of topics to ensure the candidate's honesty and integrity.
The CIA also offers scholarship programs, such as the Stokes Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to students in need. Participants in this program are required to sign a Continued Service Agreement, committing to work at the CIA for a specified period.
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Citizenship and residency requirements
To be eligible for a job at the CIA, you must be a US citizen or a dual-national US citizen. If you are in the process of becoming a US citizen, you can submit your resume as soon as you are awarded citizenship. It is important to note that the CIA does not assist individuals in applying for US citizenship. Additionally, you must be at least 18 years old and be physically present in the United States or its territories when submitting your resume.
The CIA requires all applicants to undergo a rigorous hiring process, including medical and security evaluations, to ensure they meet the necessary standards and qualifications. This process may include a background investigation, a polygraph interview, and a physical and psychological examination.
The CIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing reasonable accommodations during the hiring process for applicants who need them. They carefully vet every candidate to ensure they uphold the highest standards of integrity and are well-equipped to handle sensitive information.
While the CIA does not specify residency requirements, it is worth noting that all positions are based in the Washington, DC area, and some roles may require overseas travel. Candidates should be willing to relocate if they do not already reside in the Washington metropolitan area.
The CIA offers a range of student programs, including internships and cooperative education opportunities, allowing undergraduate students to gain real-world experience within the Intelligence Community. These programs are designed to help students meet specific requirements and gain academic credit.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no specific degree requirements for international students looking to get into the CIA. However, a bachelor's degree is typically required for CIA positions, and some roles may require a graduate degree or specific certifications. Criminal justice and political science are the most common fields of study, but the CIA also recruits from a wide range of educational backgrounds, including STEM, international studies, foreign language, business, accounting, finance, and law.
To work at the CIA, you must be a U.S. citizen or a dual-national U.S. citizen. If you are in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, you can submit your resume as soon as you are awarded citizenship.
The CIA's hiring process includes a security clearance, medical evaluations, a background investigation, a polygraph interview, and a physical and psychological examination. The process may be lengthy, and candidates are advised not to contact the CIA while they are physically outside the United States or its territories during the hiring process.
