Regardless of whether you choose to enlist, pursue a commission or become a civilian for the Space Force, the Space Force offers exclusive programs to help you develop skills and advance your career.
The Space Force offers full-time paid internships for students currently attending college or who have recently graduated, with hands-on training and available tuition assistance.
Current Students
Current Students
DEFENSE CIVILIAN TRAINING CORPS
The Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) is a new ROTC-type program for civilians wishing to work for the Space Force but not in a military capacity following completion of college. The DCTC program operates through collaboration between the DoD and academia. Currently there are partnerships with four universities (North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Purdue University, The University of Arizona, and Virginia Tech University). With partnerships with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and other DoD organizations, DCTC is able to provide scholars with student internships, DoD challenge projects, and future DoD employment.
UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
The Space Force established the University Partnership Program (UPP) to recruit, educate, and develop competent and diverse Guardians and engage in research and technology to secure the nation’s interests and maintain its advantage in space. The UPP has four specific objectives; establish opportunities, pursue research, establish scholarships, internships, and mentorship opportunities, and recruit. Currently, the UPP has partnerships with 14 universities (Arizona State University, Clemson University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Howard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Purdue University, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of North Dakota, University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, University of Southern California, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Texas at El Paso). The UPP’s objective with these strategic partnerships is to create opportunities for advanced academic degrees (AAD) and workforce development for all Guardians (officer, enlisted, and civilian).
PREMIER COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (PCIP)
The Premier College Internship Program (PCIP) is designed to attract degree-seeking college students currently enrolled full-time, in good academic standing, and interested in civilian employment opportunities. Sustained by recruiting and selecting high-caliber candidates to train them to become competent, effective, and productive employees, the PCIP provides training and developmental opportunities necessary to gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities predictive of successful performance. The paid 12-week internship at either a General Schedule GS-04 or GS-05 pay scale, occurs during the summer following their junior year (before heading into senior year). Upon graduation (and completion of all degree requirements), an intern may be converted into a developmental position without further competition. Opportunities are in career fields such as Financial Management, Engineering, Program Management, Logistics, Human Resources, Contracting, and more.
SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS AND RESEARCH FOR TRANSFORMATION
Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) provides students within the fields of Science, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) the tools to improve their education and land a promising career with the Space Force. With full-time scholarships available, SMART students can focus on their needed research to advance in their career as a civilian employee.
Recent Graduates
Presidential Management Fellow (PMF)
The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is a leadership development program for entry-level and advanced degree students with opportunities for them to advance as future government leaders
Copper Cap (COP)
The Copper Cap (COP) Program is designed for aspiring Contract Specialists with hands-on training that covers every facet of managing contracts, including requirements definition, market research, price justification, solicitation preparation, negotiation and award, and contract administration.
Palace Acquire (PAQ)
The Palace Acquire (PAQ) Program is a full-time, two- to four-year paid training program for graduates interested in positions within Special Investigations, Operations, Intel, Financial Management or Science and Engineering. Candidates must have earned one of the following within the past two years: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate or technical degree; vocational degree or certificate.
CIVILIANS OPPORTUNITIES
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT – CIVILIAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL
The Civilian Leadership Development School is a selective program that provides professional development opportunities for civilian Space Force personnel. Training is provided in focused self-competencies, to target audience training, to workshops and self-paced learning.
CIVILIAN ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM
The Civilian Associate Degree Program provides an opportunity for civilians who have never been awarded an associate’s degree or higher an opportunity to improve their skills in areas critical for the work center, such as team building, problem solving, followership, leadership, conflict resolution, and professionalism in the Department of the Air Force.
CIVILIAN TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Civilian Tuition Assistance Program (CTAP) is available for all permanent and full-time Appropriated Fund or APF (General Schedule and Wage Grade) employees with an acceptable performance appraisal. CTAP supports a degree plan above the employee’s highest achieved education level. CTAP provides up to 75% (100% for PAQs) tuition, laboratory and other instructional fees required as a condition of enrollment not to exceed $250 per semester hour or $166 per quarter hour and will be limited to $4,500 per fiscal year.
SCHREIVER SPACE SCHOLARS PROGRAM - INTERMEDIATE LEVEL EDUCATION
The Schreiver Space Scholars Program - Intermediate Level Education (ILE) is a highly selective Space Force program designed for military officers, government civilians, and partner nation students through a tailored track within the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Master of International Public Policy degree, offered in-residence at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC. This unique one-year master’s program annually selects a group of talented, strategic-level military officers, government civilians from multiple agencies, and partner nation military officers to participate in this distinctive curriculum leading to a Master in International Public Policy (MIPP) degree.
WEST SPACE SCHOLARS PROGRAM - SENIOR LEVEL EDUCATION
The West Space Scholars Program - Senior Level Education (SLE) is another highly competitive Space Force program designed for military officers, government civilians, and partner nation students through a tailored track within the Johns Hopkins SAIS Master of International Public Policy degree, offered in-residence at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC. This unique one-year master’s program annually selects a group of talented, senior, strategic-level military officers, government civilians from multiple agencies, and partner nation military officers to participate in this distinctive curriculum leading to a Master in International Public Policy (MIPP) degree.