CAREERS
OUR MISSION
DIA is first in all-source defense intelligence to prevent strategic surprise and deliver a decision advantage to warfighters, defense planners, and policymakers. We deploy globally alongside warfighters and interagency partners to defend America's national security interests.
Learn more about DIA »
2012-2017 Strategic Plan»
CONNECT WITH DIA
National Intelligence Scholars Program
The National Intelligence Scholars Program (formerly the Defense Intelligence Scholars Program) affords a small select number of college graduates the opportunity to obtain a quality education that will get their career off to a successful beginning. National Intelligence (NI) Scholars will begin their DIA employment with a formal agency orientation program, no later than mid-August prior to Fall enrollment in the National Intelligence University (NIU). Scholars enrolled in the Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence (MSSI) or the Master of Science in Science and Technology Intelligence (MSTI) degree programs are expected to complete all course work and the required thesis, no later than July 2014.
The MSSI degree program includes core and elective courses. The core curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for the complexity of intelligence work and national security in the 21st century. This innovative curriculum is focused on three main themes: globalization, future-focused intelligence and intelligence for national security. Elective courses provide students the opportunity to explore three strategic areas in more detail: Military Strategy; Intelligence Community Issues and Management; Transnational Threats and the Geostrategic Environment: Closing Intelligence Gaps.
The MSTI degree program includes seven core courses, five elective courses and the thesis. The curriculum was developed to prepare students to recognize the impact of technological change, as it relates to national security and intelligence, and assist decision-makers in prioritizing science and technology intelligence requirements. MSTI students study one of four core concentrations established to focus their education to their area of thesis research. The four concentrations are Weapons of Mass Destruction; Information Operations and Cyber; Emerging and Disruptive Technologies; and Geostrategic Resources and the Environment (Energy, Resources and Power).
The National Intelligence University
The National Intelligence University was established by the Department of Defense and is attached to the Defense Intelligence Agency. NIU, located on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, DC., is a center of excellence for the education of intelligence professionals who will be called upon to provide foreign military and military-related intelligence as part of military operations in peacetime, crisis and combat; force planning and weapons systems acquisition; and defense policymaking. The University offers three accredited degrees: The Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence (MSSI), the Master of Science in Science and Technology Intelligence (MSTI) and the Bachelor of Science in Intelligence (BSI). NIU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and a member of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Eligibility Criteria
All qualified individuals are eligible for this program. Minorities, women, and individuals with disabling conditions are strongly encouraged to apply. Current DIA employees are not eligible. Individuals who are currently temporary DIA employees are eligible to apply. Specific requirements include:
- A baccalaureate degree from a U.S. accredited institution.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent at the time of application.
- Recommended scores for the GRE are 500 on the verbal portion and a 4.5 on the analytic writing portion of the GRE. No other test scores may be substituted for the GRE. Scores over 5 years old will not be accepted. The GRE requirement will not be waived for this program. Individuals with a master's degree are not required to take the GRE.
- A cover letter with no more than 500 words. Suggested topics include which degree program you would like to pursue, your motivation for graduate study in intelligence, your professional goals and objectives, and/or your achievements in your studies or career that will enhance your capabilities to undertake such a degree.
- U.S. citizenship is required. All students selected for the program are required to satisfactorily complete a security background investigation. Holders of dual citizenship are not eligible for security clearances.
- All finalists selected for this program must be granted at least an Interim Top Secret security clearance and successfully pass a drug screening test, polygraph and psychological assessment prior to being made a final employment offer.
- Former Peace Corp volunteers who have not completed the required 4 year break of service do not meet DIA's general employment eligibility requirements.
- All applicants conditionally accepted for this program and all DIA employees are subject to initial and periodic counterintelligence (CI)-scope polygraph tests. The necessary security clearance processing and drug screening test cannot be conducted while the applicant is outside the U.S. If you are studying or working abroad during the spring and early summer of 2013, please do not apply. Also, please do not apply if you will not be available to report for work by late July 2013.
Applicants will be evaluated on academic background and aptitude, analytical ability, communication skills and demonstrated leadership. Proficiency in Arabic (all dialects), Korean, Chinese, Urdu, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, Russian, Serbian-Croatian, Indonesian, or Japanese will enhance your application.
Benefits
- A year of full-time study in the Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence or Master of Science in Science and Technology Intelligence degree program
- Enrollment in a tuition free degree program
- Full salary and government benefits (health insurance, retirement, etc.)
- Consideration for full-time employment with the DIA upon completion of the degree program
Application Procedures
The Vacancy Announcement for the NI Scholars Program will open September 10, 2012. Applications will only be accepted on-line at diajobs.dia.mil, and must be completed by October 5, 2012. All supporting documents (GRE scores, transcript(s), letter of recommendation, cover letter) must be received by DIA no later than October 26, 2012. Only those applicants that complete the online application and submit the requested documents by the specified due dates will be considered for Fall 2013 enrollment at NIU. Applicants will be notified of their selection status by February 22, 2013.
Applicants are responsible for submitting an on-line application and supporting documents by the specified due dates. A complete application package includes:
- One signed letter of recommendation from a professor, faculty member at your present or most recent educational institution, or a professional reference.
- Graduate Record Exam results should be sent directly to NIU. Our score report recipient number is 5205.
- Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Official transcripts will be required if selected for the program.
- A cover letter with no more than 500 words. Suggested topics include which degree program you would like to pursue, your motivation for graduate study in intelligence, your professional goals and objectives, and/or your achievements in your studies or career that will enhance your capabilities to undertake such a degree.
Please submit only the information requested. Transcripts, letter of recommendation and cover letter must be sent to the address below. Do not send any other information to this address:
National Intelligence Scholars Program Manager
Defense Intelligence Agency
200 MacDill Blvd. (Building 6000)
Attn: HCH-4 (NI Scholar)
Washington, DC 20340
For additional information about DIA, please visit our website at http://www.dia.mil. For additional information about the National Intelligence University, call 202-231-3319 or refer to their web site at http://www.ni-u.edu.
DIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Frequently Asked Questions for the National Intelligence Scholars Program
Q. What undergraduate academic disciplines or areas of study is the Agency seeking?
A. Individuals with any undergraduate major may apply for the NI Scholars Program. The following academic disciplines are highly desired: Foreign Area Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Computer Science, Information Assurance, Legal, Business Administration, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Engineering, Human Resources or Intelligence Analysis. Analytical and writing skills are essential and can be acquired in virtually any major or through a combination of education and work experience.
Q. Should I submit additional material?
A. No, please submit only those material requested in the vacancy announcement.
Q. I cannot take the GRE before the October 26th submission deadline. Is that a problem?
A. Yes. The GRE score must be sent to the National Intelligence University (NIU) prior to the October 26th deadline. Our score recipient number is 5205.
Q. How does the National Intelligence Scholars Program selection process work?
A. Complete applications will be screened by members of the faculty and staff at the National Intelligence University (NIU) to verify that candidates meet the NIU admissions requirements. Applications for those deemed to have future employment potential after graduation will then be screened by a panel of senior leaders representing all major DIA directorates. Factors considered by the panel include: language skills, education, communication skills, demonstrated leadership, and any previous work experience. The panel will select a finalist pool of selectees and alternates for continued processing.
Q. When can I expect to hear if I am selected as a National Intelligence Scholar?
A. Finalists, alternates and non-selectees will be notified no later than February 22, 2013. Alternates (who do not eventually transition to primary candidates) and non-selectees will not be referred to DIA Special Programs or other Agency vacancies.
Q. Once I have been notified that I am an NI Scholar finalist or alternate, what is the next step?
A. You will be required to complete pre-employment documents which include the SF-86 background questionnaire for the security clearance. Regardless of your current or past security investigation(s), the completion of a SF-86 is mandatory. You will be contacted for a drug screening test. You must complete satisfy DIA's conditions of employment (drug testing, polygraph exam, psychological assessment, etc.), before a final offer will be extended.
Q. How long will it take to get a security clearance?
A. It varies depending on your particular background and the volume of clearances processing. In general, if you have significant foreign travel and/or foreign relatives or contacts, the clearance process can be rather lengthy – up to 6 months or more to receive a full clearance. Sometimes DIA can issue an interim clearance while awaiting results of the full background investigation based on an interview, with the DIA security office (travel arranged and paid for by DIA). Individuals with limited or no overseas travel, who have not moved around much and who have no foreign relatives or contacts can sometimes receive a determination, within 3 months. If you have not been granted at least an Interim Top Secret security clearance by June 28, 2013, you will not be able to participate in the 2013-2014 National Intelligence Scholar Program. You WILL NOT receive an official employment offer or package until your clearance is granted.
Q. I have dual citizenship with another country. What are my chances of getting a security clearance?
A. Generally dual citizens cannot be granted clearances. You may be required renounce citizenship in the other country, relinquish passports, etc. before DIA could proceed with the security clearance process. The window of time between conditional selection as an NI Scholar and the start of the program does not allow sufficient time for this process to occur.
Q. A member of my immediate family is not a U.S. citizen. Can I still receive a clearance in time to participate in the NI Scholars Program?
A. Yes.
Q. I plan to study or work abroad for all or part of this academic year. Is that a problem?
A. Yes. While the experience of living abroad is of value to DIA, it is impossible to complete the security background investigation and the necessary drug screening test when someone is overseas. If you are only going to be abroad for the fall semester, we encourage you to go ahead and apply for this year's National Intelligence Scholars Program. If you will be abroad the entire academic year or for the spring semester, we will be unable to consider you for this year's NI Scholars Program.
Q: What assistance will DIA provide in locating housing?
A: Locating housing is the responsibility of the NI Scholar.
Q. What does the National Intelligence Scholars Program entail other than a year of graduate study?
A. Based on hiring needs, DIA will consider NI Scholars for permanent employment. Satisfactory completion of the MSSI or MSTI degree program does not guarantee a National Intelligence Scholar permanent full-time employment at DIA.
Q. Will I earn leave?
A: You will earn 4 hours of sick leave and 4 hours of annual leave every pay period.
Q. What other benefits will I receive?
A. NI Scholars are full-time employees of the agency and are eligible for all employee benefits – life and health insurance, retirement, etc.
Q. Is my work location accessible by public transportation?
A. Yes, DIA Headquarters is located on the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, which is accessible via the DIA shuttle from the Anacostia and L'Enfant Plaza Metro Stations. The shuttle runs continuously during rush hour on weekdays. Shuttle riders must have the required identification badges. For new employees, you must carry a copy of your offer letter and picture ID to gain access to the shuttle and base. Although somewhat limited, parking is available at the DIA Headquarters. You will need a copy of your vehicle registration and proof of insurance to gain access to the base and to apply for a parking permit.
Q. What will my first day be like?
A. Specific instructions and directions will be explained in your final offer letter. Your first few days will consist of completing a variety of administrative tasks, orientation briefings, security paperwork and the issuance of security badges.
Q. What is the dress code for the agency?
A. In general, the dress for civilians at the agency is conservative business attire – shirts and ties for men and appropriate dress, skirt and blouse, or pant suit for women. Some offices are more informal than others and allow polo shirts on a routine basis. Men will need a suit and women a tailored dress or suit for meetings and presentations.
Q. How is my pay determined?
A. Your salary during your year in the NIU will be determined by your education only. It is extremely important that you submit a complete transcript, as requested, so we can verify your grade. Previous work experience will not be taken into consideration when determining your salary.
Q. Will I be eligible for salary increases while studying at the NIU?
A. No. NI Scholars will not receive promotions while they are students at NIU.
Q. Who will be my classmates at the National Intelligence University?
A. Only active duty military or employees of the federal government may attend the NIU. Most of the students will be in mid-career and will be in their late 20s to early 40s.
Q. Once I complete my degree, am I obligated to remain with the Agency?
A. No. You are not obligated to remain employed at DIA or within the Intelligence Community. There is no requirement for the National Intelligence Scholar to reimburse the government for any educational training.
This page was last updated January 25, 2013.