Flagship Certification

The U.S. Government has designated all Flagship-supported languages as “critical languages” because the national need, from the perspective of both national security and economic competitiveness, for highly proficient speakers in those languages exceeds the number of bilingual speakers available.

In the private sector, senior executives have identified the lack of language skills as an enormous barrier to increasing American participation in overseas markets and have recognized language acquisition and cultural competence as critical assets for businesses. In the government sector, over 80 federal agencies rely on professionals with intermediate- to professional-level competence in foreign languages. While studying under an NSEP award, students combine a professional field of study, an understanding of one or more areas of the world outside of the United States, and proficiency in at least one critical foreign language and culture to develop acute intercultural abilities. This experience results in a highly-skilled pool of global professionals eager to contribute in agencies across the federal government.

NSEP alumni, including Language Flagship graduates, have a perspective of how their interests relate to issues of national security. The NSEP definition of national security is both broad and diverse to include, among others, such varied issues as:

• International and regional conflict
• Conflict resolution
• Peacekeeping
• International trade
• Market penetration
• Export strategy
• Export controls
• Economic competitiveness
• Human rights and humanitarian assistance
• Health and population issues
• Sustainable development
• Weapons of mass destruction
• Arms control
• Nuclear proliferationInternational drug trafficking
• Counter-proliferationTerrorism and counter-terrorism

Universities with a focus on international curricula recognize that Flagship certification is an outstanding and achievement. For example, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey offers Language Flagship alumni a guaranteed 50 percent ($24K+ annual) scholarship toward their in-person master’s degree programs.
 

Language Flagship graduates’ linguistic and cultural expertise, as well as extensive overseas internship experiences, set them aside form non-Flagship peers. Flagship students represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. NSEP works closely with each Scholar and Fellow and with U.S. Government agencies to identify employment opportunities and recommend appropriate matches.