Learning and professional growth are key to a career at the CIA. Following initial orientation, new employees can expect to invest considerable time learning the skills needed to perform their jobs. They continue acquiring new skills and knowledge as the world changes and their careers progress. The CIA also sponsors employee participation in professional conferences, academic courses, and vendor-taught workshops.

CIA University, the learning hub of the CIA, equips employees with the shared values, commitment to the mission, knowledge, and the excellence in intelligence tradecraft and leadership needed to accomplish extraordinary tasks in service to our nation. The schools under CIAU, partnered with the broader National Intelligence University, provide a wide variety of training and educational opportunities in which CIA officers develop new ways to frame the world in support of national security initiatives.

Course offerings evolve as threats and challenges in the world emerge and change. Today there are classes focused on the terrorist threat, critical regions of the world, weapons of mass destruction, foreign language training, and proliferation to name just a few. These classes take place in tandem with classes on more general topics such as information technology, project management, the Intelligence Community, and communication skills.

CIA employees deployed to the field benefit from traditional classroom instruction as well as cutting-edge, online, and mobile learning technologies. An officer serving abroad may find himself/herself in a video teleconference for training on a new financial management tool, engaging in an interactive online course on biological weapons, or listening to a foreign language podcast to improve language skills. As employees advance and take on greater responsibility, they have access to world-class management and advanced leadership training in key occupational and substantive areas often sitting side-by-side with their counterparts from other Intelligence Community agencies.

The world of intelligence is increasingly complex, making continuous learning an imperative. A robust set of thought provoking and engaging educational opportunities are available to meet the need, all specially designed to position CIA employees for mission success.