Internships

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College of International Security Affairs
Internship Program

The College of International Security Affairs (CISA) is one of five component colleges at the National Defense University. CISA’s mission is to educate and prepare national security practitioners from the U.S. and partner nations for the strategic challenges of the contemporary security environment. In this capacity, CISA is the Department of Defense (DOD) flagship for professional military education and building partner capacity in counterterrorism and irregular warfare at the strategic level.  CISA is also a critical repository of subject matter expertise concerning counterterrorism, irregular warfare, homeland defense, international affairs, security studies and area studies. CISA delivers a fully accredited Master’s Program at both Fort McNair and Fort Bragg, NC.  The Joint Special Operations Master’s Program is delivered at Fort Bragg in the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

CISA is one of the few places where policy, practice and theory overlap. CISA faculty and students apply knowledge and insights gained in an academic setting to real world security contingencies. Examples include- combating the threat of Boko Haram in West Africa; achieving small state security; degrading ISIS capability and stemming spillover of conflict from Iraq/ Syria into neighboring countries, and developing new approaches to fighting drug trafficking organizations in Latin America. Interns undertake meaningful work that directly supports the scholarship and instruction that occurs at CISA.

Internship

The faculty and staff at CISA will do all they can to ensure that the internship is academically and experientially rewarding.  Interns should expect to work 24- 32 hours per week.  The intern schedule is flexible, and can include large amounts of telework if necessary; on-site work will be on Fort Bragg.  Installation access is required, and applicants should ensure accessibility prior to applying (https://www.bragg.army.mil/index.php/my-fort-bragg/all-services/gate-information). Internships are unpaid positions.

Duties may include:

  • Research support as requested by faculty members to assist with publications, course materials, and outreach;
  • Assist staff in support of the Joint Special Operations Masters (JSOMA) Program delivery;
  • Networking with esteemed JSOMA alumni as part of program outreach;
  • Administrative duties as assigned, including occasional Special Warfare Education Group event

An internship at CISA offers numerous opportunities, including:

  • Networking opportunities with Fort Bragg operational units and commands on post;
  • On-the-job experience and professional development opportunities;
  • Access to the NDU library and research resources;
  • Experience conducting research and individual

Qualifications

CISA interns must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at the time of application (students who plan to graduate in May 2017 are welcome to apply). Ideally, the applicant is majoring in international relations, area studies, political science, history or other fields relating to the CISA mission and has completed some coursework in these areas. Potential subjects of interest include, but are not limited to international affairs, area and regional studies, conflict management, counter-proliferation, counterterrorism, environmental security, grand strategy, homeland security, human rights, non-state actors, political economy, and post-conflict reconstruction.

Internship applicants will be assessed on their ability in the following areas:

  • Prioritize, organize, and complete tasks with minimal supervision;
  • Use library/research resources to gather relevant data to support faculty research;
  • Ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel effectively;
  • Work as a team player;
  • Employ competent research, writing, and communications skills in support of faculty research;
  • Write clearly and concisely;
  • Display scrupulous attention to detail;
  • Work well with different cultures and

Application process: Please send a resume, brief writing sample, unofficial academic transcripts, and a cover letter (No more than one page indicating areas of academic interest, personal expertise, reason you would like to intern at CISA and availability) to Mrs. Nicole Linton (Nicole.linton.civ@gc.ndu.edu) with the subject line ‘Last name, First name – Summer 2017 Intern Application’. Applications for the summer cohort will be assessed on a rolling basis from now through April 30, 2017.