The Secretary’s Honors Program (SHP) is a highly competitive, premier program for exceptional entry-level professionals looking for a career at DHS. Qualified candidates apply for a limited number of slots and are selected based on their academic performance, experience and other criteria. Those selected for the program will be offered a variety of incentives and enhanced career opportunities including Department rotations, mentorships, focused on-the-job training and inclusion in various professional development programs. 

Individuals who possess graduate or undergraduate degrees may apply for the following fellowships within the SHP: 

• Information Technology Fellows – a one-year program designed for graduate-level recent graduates with computer science-related academic backgrounds and career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the operation and management of information technology.
• Cyber Fellows (Bachelor’s) and Cyber Fellows (Master’s) – a two-year program for either bachelor’s or graduate-level recent graduates in computer science, computer or network engineering, or other information assurance/security/technology fields of study. These programs are designed to develop technically skilled cyber professionals across DHS. Through rotational assignments, participants see how each DHS Component agency collaborates on cyber-related issues such as identification and analysis of malicious code, forensics analysis, and intrusion detection and prevention, and works first-hand on critical issues or incidents in a fast-paced, growing environment. The Cyber Fellows (master’s) incorporates leadership training and cyber deployments into the program. Candidates are encouraged to participate in the Cybersecurity Internship Program prior to applying for the Honors Program.
• Honors Attorneys – a two-year program designed for highly qualified third-year law students, fourth-year students graduating from four-year programs, combination programs or LL.M. programs immediately after law school, and those applying from judicial clerkships immediately after law school. Candidates will have the opportunity to work at multiple legal offices within the Office of the General Counsel. The SHP Honors Attorneys program is not accepting applications at this time, as the program managers are currently reviewing applicants for the fall of 2013. The application period for the fall of 2014 will open in August 2013.
• Policy Fellows – a one-year program for recent graduates with either a master’s or a bachelor’s degree. Candidates will provide direct assistance to top policymakers throughout DHS and will work side-by-side with experts in policy-focused areas and offices.
• Management Fellows – a one-year program for recent graduates with either a master’s or a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, organizational development or human resources.
• Emergency Management Fellows – a one-year program for recent graduates with either a master’s or a bachelor’s degree. Candidates will have an academic background that prepares graduates with strategic organizational management processes used to protect critical assets from hazards, man-made and natural disasters and facilitate recovery operations.

SHP Cyber Student Initiative

In April 2013, DHS launched the SHP Cyber Student Initiative, a new DHS program to engage exceptional community college students, including student veterans, in cybersecurity work at DHS. The SHP Cyber Student Initiative offers an unpaid student volunteer position to current two-year community college students and student veterans pursuing a program of study in a cybersecurity-related field. These student volunteers will gain in-depth knowledge and practical, hands-on experience as they work directly with DHS cybersecurity professionals at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations forensics labs in 36 cities nationwide. 

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