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Student Opportunities

The Department of Homeland Security offers a variety of prestigious scholarships, fellowships, internships and training opportunities to expose talented students to the broad national security mission.

You can be part of the Acquisition and Procurement team that procures over $20 billion worth of goods and services annually in support of the Department's mission.

The Secretary’s Honors Program Cyber Student Intern Program is for current undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a program of study in a cybersecurity-related field. Selected students learn about the DHS cybersecurity mission, complete hands-on cybersecurity work, and build technical experience in key areas such as digital forensics, network diagnostics, and incident response. Additionally, students participate in mentoring and professional development activities with DHS managers and senior leaders from across components.

The Pathways Programs offer clear paths to federal internships for students from high school through post-graduate school and to careers for recent graduates, and provide meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their federal service. As a student or recent graduate, you can begin your career in the federal government by choosing the path that best describes you and where you are in your academics.

  • Internship Program (OPM): This program is for current students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions from high school to graduate level, with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school.
  • Recent Graduates Program (OPM): This program is for individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs and seek a dynamic, career development program with training and mentorship. To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion (except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to six years to apply).
  • Presidential Management Fellows Program (OPM): For more than three decades, the PMF Program has been the Federal government’s premier leadership development program for advanced degree candidates. This program is now for individuals who have received a qualifying advanced degree within the preceding two years.

The Department of Homeland Security offers a number of Health and Science Programs to support students pursuing degrees in health and science-focused courses of study. These programs are designed to provide students with comprehensive, experimental, hands-on training in areas that support the mission and goals of the Department.

The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) Internship Program is designed for current undergraduate and graduate students seeking to launch an exciting career in homeland security and intelligence. I&A offers elite internships in the functional areas of Intelligence Analysis, Intelligence Operations, Management/Support, Information Technology, and Policy. The I&A Internship Program is structured to provide the experience and skill needed to produce capable, well-rounded, and corporate DHS intelligence professionals.

The Department of Homeland Security offers a number of Law Enforcement Programs to support students pursuing degrees in Criminal Justice, Criminology, or other law enforcement-related courses of study. These programs are designed to provide students with practical training and hands-on experience in Federal law enforcement activities that support the mission and goals of the Department. 

The Department of Homeland Security offers a number of Legal Programs to support law students. These programs are designed to provide aspiring legal professionals with practical training and substantial individual responsibility in areas that support the mission and goals of the General Counsel’s Office.

The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) Internship Program provides students the opportunity to support OPA's mission of managing external and internal communications for the department. OPA responds to national media inquiries, maintains and updates the department's website (DHS.gov), writes speeches for principals and coordinates speaking events for department officials. We foster strategic communication throughout the department and with external stakeholders. We manage the department's organizational identity program, which includes use of the DHS seal and related guidelines. OPA oversees the department's employee communication activities, which includes town hall meetings between management and employees, and an intranet site. Our incident communications program guides overall federal incident communication activity and coordinates with state, local, and international partners to ensure accurate and timely distribution of information to the public during a crisis.

Last Updated: 09/29/2022
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