In a volatile geopolitical climate, our leaders must make rapid decisions as they assess threats to the nation. At the NSLC on Intelligence & National Security, you will discover how our government collects vital information through public sources as well as covert operations. You’ll meet with leading policy experts from the Departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security and others to gain insights into the steps that are taken to protect our country and our people.
Acting as a member of the National Security Council, you will see what it’s like to face real-life crisis situations, including anything from a catastrophic hurricane to a terrorist threat. You’ll call the shots – and then find out the consequences of your decisions. It’s exciting, fast-paced and totally unpredictable.
Program Highlights
National Security Council simulation
Act as a member of the NSC and develop strategies to battle a crisis threatening our nation's safety.
Learn about US Intelligence
Explore the departments and agencies that work together to keep our nation's leaders up to date on pressing security threats.
Meet professionals in the field
Distinguished members of the FBI, CIA, DOD, and Homeland Security share stories of what you can expect working within the government.
Intelligence gathering
Discover how the government collects vital security information through public sources and covert operations.
Dates & Locations
Note: Space is limited. Please login to the online application to see up-to-date session availability.

Georgetown University
- July 9 - July 14
- July 17 - July 22
- July 25 - July 30
Hands-on Simulations
The NSLC on National Intelligence & Homeland Security uses an interactive approach to learning that gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the challenging complexities of the intelligence and national security community. You will act as a member of the National Security Council, tasked with solving an unfolding crisis. Whether serving as the National Security Advisor, the Secretary of Defense, the Vice President or one of the other NSC members, you will have to work with your team to protect the nation. You will make decisions and learn their consequences in a fast-paced simulation of real-life crisis situations – from a catastrophic hurricane to a terrorist threat.
Our college-level lecture series will give you a foundation of knowledge on the basics of the national intelligence community and homeland security policy formulation.
Topics include:
- The Intelligence Community – Tools of the Trade
- What is National Security
- Homeland Security
- National Security and Military
- Operations Abroad
Meet Intelligence Professionals
While at the NSLC’s summer high school program on national intelligence, you will meet with and learn from leaders in fields of intelligence, defense, and national security strategy. In past years, NSLC students have heard from guest speakers including top leaders at the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the State Department and the Pentagon.
Examples of past speakers include:
Secretary Robert Gates
Department of Defense
General Martin Dempsey
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Lt. General Ronald Burgess
Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency
Mr. George Tenet
Director, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Rear Admiral Elizabeth Train
Director of Intelligence, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Ms. Letitia Long
Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Assistant Director Wiliam Daitch
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS)
General Michael Hayden
Director, National Security Agency (NSA)
General Paul J. Selva
Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
An important part of the NSLC national intelligence and homeland security program is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sightseeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of Intelligence.
Trips may include:
Georgetown University
Central Intelligence Agency | Defense Intelligence Agency | National Security Agency | Federal Bureau of Investigation | The Pentagon | Arlington Cemetery | International Spy Museum | Capitol Hill | The Smithsonian Institution | Historic D.C. Monuments at Night
Leadership Training
At the heart of the NSLC is a leadership curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Leadership topics tailored to the Intelligence & National Security program include:
- Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
- Conflict Resolution
- Negotiation
- Public Speaking
- Intrapersonal Communication
College Credit Option
American University (AU) and NSLC have a unique partnership that enables you to earn college credit by enrolling in a supplemental online course designed to correlate with your NSLC program’s area of study. By enrolling in this credit course, you will enjoy a stimulating, innovative, and personalized college-level learning experience that builds on your NSLC accomplishments. The course is for one credit and is taught in a self-paced, asynchronous format across six weeks, allowing ample time to complete assignments. The course is designed to work within the framework of NSLC; students are not expected to complete coursework while on campus. Students may register for college credit via their personal student portal (myNSLC) once they have enrolled in an NSLC session.
Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
Tuition
Program tuition includes housing, all on-campus meals, course materials, academic expenses, and activities. Tuition also includes chartered, air-conditioned motor coaches for off-campus briefings and tours. Note: Students are responsible for the cost of travel to and from the program as well as individual spending money for souvenirs, laundry, and a few off-campus meals during fields trips and tours.
Click here to view our cancellation and refund policy.
Location | Tuition |
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Washington, D.C. | $2,895 |