The Department of Defense/War (DoD/DoW) has partnered with Texas A&M University to establish the Cyber Leader Development Program (CLDP), which prepares select students for either military or civilian cyber careers with DoD/DoW or other U.S. government (USG) organizations upon graduation. CLDP complements a student’s existing degree path by providing opportunities for hands-on experience, industry certifications, summer internships, leadership development, and individual mentoring. CLDP generally accepts new members from among rising Sophomores, Juniors, and first-year Bush School graduate students. Seniors and second-year Bush School graduate students are eligible for the program by exception.
The Senior Military Colleges (SMC) Cyber Institute’s Cyber Leader Development Program (CLDP) was established by the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Other CLDP program locations include Norwich University, The Citadel, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Tech, and the University of North Georgia.
CLDP supports both DoD/DoW and U.S. government efforts to fill a broad range of cyber work roles. Examples include: Cyber Policy/Strategy; Data Scientists; Capability Developers; Network Operators; Operations Research Analysts; Reverse Engineers; Malware and Exploitation Analysts; Big Data Analysts; Vulnerability Researchers; and Information Operations Integrators.
Mission
TAMU CLDP recruits, educates, and develops student cohorts to pursue opportunities in the DoD/DoW and broader USG cyberspace workforce upon graduation.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all the eligibility requirements listed below at the time of application submission:
- U.S. Citizen.
- Capable of being granted a Top-Secret level security clearance.
- Enrolled undergraduate student at Texas A&M University entering their Sophomore or Junior year. *
- Enrolled first-year graduate student at Texas A&M (College Station).
- Enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, any of the two tracks of the Cybersecurity Minor. **
- Enrolled students at TAMU system universities are not eligible to apply to CLDP.
- Bush School graduate students must be enrolled in the Masters in International Affairs program as well as the Cyber Policy or Intelligence track (or both).
*Seniors and second-year Bush School graduate students by exception.
**Currently waived while a second track is being developed.